Stronger Together: A Year of Growth, Connection, and Forward Momentum

The Stronger Togetherprogramme - implemented by WAN-IFRA in partnership with the Norway's Mediebedriftenes Landsforening(MBL) and the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine(AIRPPU) - has, throughout 2025, supported 40 Ukrainian media outlets through funding, training, mentoring, and peer exchange. As the programme approaches the end of its first year, independent media across Ukraine are showing tangible progress - producing impactful investigative stories, strengthening collaboration, and demonstrating remarkable resilience amid the ongoing challenges of war.

The programme is reaching the final stages of the Women in News(WIN) Ukraine Leadership Accelerator, celebrating 14 graduates who have enhanced their leadership, strategic, and editorial management skills. At the same time, it continues to advance media resilience through targeted investigative journalism workshops and capacity-building programmes designed to strengthen newsroom leadership and organisational sustainability. The investigative teams supported under the programme have now entered their third wave, producing more than 50 investigative stories in local and regional media within just five months - a milestone that underscores the growing capacity and influence of participating newsrooms.

Links to investigative stories:

• https://airpu.org/en/projects-en/when-local-media-become-an-anti-corruption-force-a-new-series-of-investigations-supported-by-stronger-together/
• https://airpu.org/en/projects-en/stronger-together-the-second-wave-of-investigative-journalism-from-regional-media/
• https://airpu.org/en/projects-en/truth-in-detail-an-overview-of-investigative-journalism-within-the-stronger-together-project-updated-regularly/

The closing months of year one were also marked by two key in-person activities: the Ukraine Media Congressin Lviv and the participation of WIN Ukraine Leadership Accelerator delegates in the WAN-IFRA Newsroom Summitin Copenhagen - both reaffirming the programme's mission to empower independent journalism and foster cross-border collaboration.

XIV Ukraine Media Congress, Lviv

The XIV Media Congress in Lviv brought together over 130 participants from regional Ukrainian media to strategise the future of local journalism. The event strongly emphasised that these media outlets are not merely surviving; they are actively innovating. They are exploring new formats, developing alternative revenue models, and prioritising community-driven reporting to maintain their relevance. A key focus of the Congress was the practical exchange of ideas. Speakers and attendees discussed vital topics such as monetisation strategies, digital content creation, building audience trust, conducting investigative reporting, and utilising AI for both journalism and fact-checking. The Congress underscored the fundamental role of regional media in wartime Ukraine. They act as the primary sources for documenting events, clarifying the complex reality for local populations, and upholding democratic values. This transformation highlights their crucial function as a community service built on a foundation of trust and solidarity.

The Congress also featured panel discussions on the economic sustainability of local media, new business models, and collaboration with international partners. Participants shared success stories from Stronger Together grantees, emphasising the importance of cross-regional cooperation, professional training, and innovation in maintaining editorial independence and rebuilding trust with audiences during wartime.

Links to stories:

• https://airpu.org/news/kudi-ruhatisya-regionalnim-media-golovni-visnovki-ta-praktichni-ideyi-xiv-medijnogo-kongresu/
• https://airpu.org/news/7-regionalnyh-media-otrymaly-nagorodu-za-svitlo-v-temryavi-ta-profesijnu-stijkist/
• https://airpu.org/news/diyaty-navit-koly-strashno-vystup-oksana-brovko-na-xiv-medijnomu-kongresi/

Newsroom Summit and visit to JP/Politiken Media Group

A delegation of 16 senior women journalists from the Stronger Together (WIN) Ukraine Leadership Accelerator programme joined the WAN-IFRA Newsroom Summit on 18-19 November 2025 at JP/Politikens Hus in Copenhagen. The two-day event gathered leading newsroom innovators and strategists from around the world to exchange ideas on how technology and creativity are reshaping journalism. A key focus was the growing role of artificial intelligence in the newsroom, with speakers sharing how both small and large media organisations are integrating AI and machine learning into their editorial workflows. Participants explored case studies on engaging younger audiences, defining media brands, maintaining healthy newsroom cultures, and driving subscription and premium content strategies. During the visit, the delegation also met with the JP/Politiken Media Groupteam, led by Charlotte Hoffmayer, Commercial Director, for an in-depth discussion on the company's journey through digital transformation. The hosts welcomed the WIN Ukraine participants and presented the group's structure, highlighting its successful shift from a traditional print model to one where most revenue now comes from digital content. Presenters demonstrated tools that track reader engagement and article performance, enabling journalists to adapt their storytelling for online formats. Participants exchanged insights on app development, visual storytelling, and adapting journalism to evolving user behaviour and technological change, making the visit a valuable opportunity for Ukrainian and Nordic media professionals to connect, learn, and share global best practices shaping the future of independent journalism.

Links to stories:

• https://airpu.org/news/algoritm-zamist-redaktora-dosvid-norvezkogo-media-shho-podvoyiv-kilkist-peredplatnikiv/
• https://airpu.org/news/yak-politiken-praczyuye-z-moloddyu-czyfrovymy-istoriyamy-ta-analitykoyu/
• https://airpu.org/news/uroky-liderstva-yak-transformuyutsya-redakcziyi-zminyuyetsya-rol-shi-i-zrostaye-vidpovidalnist/

Accelerating ahead

As Stronger Together enters its second year, the programme is also transitioning from foundational capacity building to structured international partnerships between Ukrainian and Norwegian media. Following a successful first year that provided 40 grants, mentoring, and leadership training, year 2 (2026) will also launch four long-term media exchanges pairing Ukrainian and Norwegian outlets. These partnerships will run through 2026 - 2027, focusing on peer mentoring, editorial innovation, business development, and organisational learning. Activities will include reciprocal visits - Ukrainian partners hosted in Norway in March, Norwegian delegations in Lviv in October, and joint planning meetings in Oslo in December - supported by regular virtual mentorship and ad hoc exchanges. Each outlet will commit time and expertise, ensuring sustained collaboration, knowledge transfer, and practical outcomes that strengthen independent journalism and media resilience across borders.

Maja Maldini

[email protected]