Stars4Media Day XI: “Democracy & Maison du MédiaLab”
We are delighted to announce that Stars4Media Day XI will take place in Brussels on 14th January from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm.
This special event will include:
- The inauguration of the Maison du MédiaLab, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at tripling the number of correspondents from Eastern Europe in Brussels.
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Engaging discussions on the priorities of the new Parliament and Commission for the media sector.
Boosting and integrating correspondents: a Brussels infrastructure for democracy
EU and NATO are essential hopes for Eastern Europeans. But coverage “on the ground” is limited, leaving room for both ignorance and disinformation. Eastern European media are eager to send more reporters: they need practical help, not only money but introductions. The goal is to triple that number of Brussels correspondents, in five years.
The Maison du MédiaLab residence will host Eastern European Brussels correspondents, offering them not only accommodation in the heart of the EU policy making for 6 months (on a rotation basis) but also professional development with networking and training opportunities.
Read the article presenting the Maison du MédiaLab in 
What are the quantified goals? Tripling !
In a few years, assuming the majority manage to stay in Brussels, we anticipate to support tripling the number of Eastern European accredited correspondents in Brussels: indeed they are only 9 today, far too little.
How to help in practice?
The Maison du MédiaLab will incur 4 different types of costs in order to host residents and integrate them in the European press corps:
- rent (provided by initiators)
- rental charges and maintenance
- integration: coaching coordination, networking events, office support
- if possible: living expenses, to “top up” residents (low) wages, given living standard differences
We warmly welcome donations to support this major initiative, helping us cover essential expenses and, if possible, provide living allowances. We invite contributions from institutions, foundations, generous individuals, as well as advisors and coaches who believe in this mission.
To consider a donation or introduce potential partner: please get in touch with us.
Equally, it is possible to proceed with national tax-exempt donations:
- from Belgium: donations through our profile on the King Baudouin Foundation website.
- from France, the United Kingdom, and other countries: contact us directly for details on tax benefits.
If you have any questions or wish to receive further information, do not hesitate to reach out to us:
- Christophe Leclercq, Founder: fondateur@europemedialab.eu
- David Mekkaoui, Managing Director: managingdirector@europemedialab.eu
The narrative: initial pioneer
Located in a typical ‘maison de maître bruxelloise’, Maison du MediaLab already hosted an Ukrainian journalist refugee (now TV correspondent): Sofiia Nazarenko. Her inspiring journey as a refugee and her experience with founders Christophe Leclercq and Sharon Leclercq-Spooner are featured in two videos:
1. Hear how hosting a journalist fitted in the initial Ukrainian refugees’ wave:
2. Learn about how the Maison du Médialab project was born and its ambition: