Overcoming Ethnonational and Ethnoregional Stereotypes of Mutual Perception in Chernivtsi Region

October 2011 – September 2012 – Implementation of the project “Overcoming Ethnonational and Ethnoregional Stereotypes of Mutual Perception in Chernivtsi Region”

The project was implemented with the financial support of the “Strengthening the Influence of Civil Society” Programme of the International Renaissance Foundation.

The initiative was carried out in partnership with LLC “A.S.S.” Television and Radio Company, the regional representative of the “5th Channel” in Chernivtsi region.

Project Description:

Over the course of the project, 50 weekly informational and analytical segments were developed and broadcasted within the final news program “Chas Novyn: Chernivtsi”. These segments offered consistent, objective, and well-reasoned coverage of ethnopolitical processes in the Bukovyna region, with participation from civil society experts. The segments aimed to raise public awareness, debunk negative ethnonational stereotypes, and counter misinformation.

A strong methodological and academic foundation was ensured through the involvement of prominent experts in the field of interethnic relations.

The featured stories highlighted voices from national minorities, government, academia, culture, education, civil society organizations, ethnocultural and religious groups, and charitable institutions—forming a kind of “communication channel” between these sectors and the wider public.

The project also employed interactive methods to encourage public participation in the creation of media content:

• Public opinion polls on featured topics conducted by journalists;
• A hotline allowing residents to call the editorial team to ask questions, share their opinions, make suggestions or demands, and raise concerns related to interethnic relations and regional ethnopolitics.

Key Figures:

• Project duration: 12 months
• Target audience reach: approximately 136,000 people

Project Supporters:

• Chernivtsi City Civic Organization “Bukovynian Political Science Center”
• Chernivtsi Regional Youth Environmental Association “Bukvytsia”
• Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Security of Yuriy Fedkovych Chernivtsi National University

The project also received informational and organizational support from:

• The Department of Internal Policy of the Chernivtsi Regional Administration
• The Chernivtsi Regional Council