The AGILE Diversity & Inclusion Workshop is a three-day programme (24-26 September 2026) designed to strengthen inclusive, rights-based reporting among journalists, editors, community and regional media practitioners, and emerging media voices in Kazakhstan. It combines two strands central to AGILE’s work in Central Asia: improving how marginalised communities are represented in the media and strengthening healthier information ecosystems in an environment shaped by tightening media regulation and coordinated disinformation.
Media coverage of marginalised groups in Central Asia remains limited in scope and depth, and often lacks nuance, research, and a rights-based or legally informed approach when it does occur. Regional and minority-language audiences are underserved. Much of the information circulating in the media is published only in one or two dominant languages. This lack of minority-language coverage risks alienating entire communities. At the same time, coordinated disinformation campaigns spread misleading narratives that often target or instrumentalise these same communities.
The programme is built around hands-on skills-building, cross-sector dialogue between journalists and civil society, and the co-creation of stories and ethical collaboration frameworks with the communities concerned. It will strengthen inclusive reporting practices, audience engagement, language and unconscious bias, ethical and trauma-informed interviewing, informed consent, and cultural sensitivity, while building practical skills in responsible use of digital and AI tools, information integrity and fact-checking, digital and physical safety, and source protection. Selected story concepts or pitch ideas developed by participants may receive further support beyond the workshop to ensure continued visibility and engagement.
The workshop will also help establish trust and a working relationship between newsrooms and civil society through a co-created collaboration charter and peer support group.
The workshop will cover the following areas:
- Representation & Gatekeeping: editorial decisions, newsroom diversity, agenda-setting
- Language & Framing: terminology, unconscious bias, audience impact
- Community & Participatory Journalism: co-creating stories with communities, informed consent
- Ethical & Trauma-Informed Reporting: interviewing practices, source protection
- AI, Data & Ethical Reporting: responsible AI in newsgathering and fact-checking
- Online Safety & Digital Rights: digital and physical security, cybersecurity for journalists
- Policy, Law & Media Regulation: regulatory gaps and press-freedom frameworks
Attendance for all three days of the workshop is mandatory.
The selection of participants will be based on clear and transparent criteria.
Please note that only retained candidates will be contacted.
Eligibility criteria
To apply for this workshop, you must:
- Be based in Kazakhstan;
- Belong to one of the following groups: journalists or editors (including from community radios), community media practitioners, civil society representatives, members of organisations working with underrepresented communities, media students, or young professionals;
- Demonstrate experience or strong interest in inclusive reporting, community engagement, storytelling, or media-related work;
- Be available to attend all three days of the workshop (24-26 September 2026) in Almaty;
- Have proficiency in Kazakh or Russian to participate actively in the sessions;
- Be willing to share feedback with CFI on the workshop and its relevance to your work.
To ensure full participation, travel support will be provided to selected participants. Women and persons with disabilities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Evaluation grid
| Profile, skills and expertise
Relevance of background (journalism, media, communication, civil society, or community engagement); education/training (formal or informal), useful skills for the workshop; sufficient Kazakh or Russian proficiency. Open to diverse pathways to ensure inclusion. |
30 |
| Experience
Previous experience (professional, academic, or community-based) related to media production, public communication, or work with communities whose perspectives are underrepresented. Formal journalism experience not required. |
30 |
| Motivation
Reasons for applying; commitment to learning; relevance of the workshop to applicant’s work or community role; potential to apply skills afterwards. |
40 |
| Total |
100 |
