Young Voices Matter, (Elbląg w Rolce) empowers young people in Elbląg and the surrounding region by creating a new section of the local online newspaper portEl.pl, called „Elbląg w Rolce”. This space will allow youth to produce and share short videos (reels), journalists from portEl.pl will produce articles, and podcasts about issues relevant to young people lives, education, and community.
The initiative responds to the underrepresentation of young audiences in local media. By combining professional editorial mentoring with modern, youth-friendly formats, the project reduces information exclusion and fosters media literacy. Each month, the most engaging reel will be awarded in the “Reel of the Month” contest.
Over nine months (Sept 2025 – May 2026), the project will train at least 30 young contributors, publish more than 80 reels, and deliver youth-focused reports and debates. It will promote civic awareness, democratic values, and pluralism by ensuring that young voices are heard and represented in public discourse.
Ultimately, „Elbląg w Rolce” will become a sustainable and permanent part of portEl.pl, bridging the gap between traditional journalism and the digital habits of younger generations.
portEl.pl is a privately owned, independent online newspaper and was founded in 2001 by Softel Gęsicki i S-ka, a family partnership established in 1995 in Elbląg, Poland. The company initially specialised in IT services but has since become the leading local publisher in the region. As a for-profit entity, portEl.pl is funded entirely through advertising and commercial services (banner ads, sponsored articles, classifieds, and food delivery portal NaWynos). It reaches about 25,000 daily users and 250,000 daily page views, with over 36,000 Facebook followers.
Goals (expected) of the project
The main goals are:
- Establish a permanent section „Elbląg w Rolce” on portEl.pl.
- Engage at least 30 young content creators and publish 80+ reels and articles within 9 months.
- Increase the share of readers aged 15–25 by 15–20%.
- Strengthen pluralism by giving underrepresented youth a voice in local media.
- Promote civic engagement through debate, analytical reports
The project fosters democracy by empowering marginalised groups, supporting diversity and inclusion, and encouraging informed participation in local life. By adopting human-rights-based values of representation and accessibility, it creates an inclusive platform where young people can speak their own voices.
