February 7, 2025

Co-Media: From an Idea to a Movement

Starting something new always comes with its fair share of uncertainty. The early days of Co-Media were filled with excitement, doubt, and a flood of ideas—some promising, others fleeting. But today, we want to share the real story: how Co-Media was born, the challenges we faced, and the path we’re carving out for the future.

A Design Sprint and a Big Idea

Co-Media began in Cluj-Napoca, Romania as an idea sketched out during a 2023 design sprint—an intense, fast-paced workshop where ideas are tested, refined, and shaped into actionable plans. In just a few days, we defined our goals, challenged assumptions, and laid the groundwork for something bigger.

Together with Paul, we were responding to a call from The Circle Hubs, a program uniting creatives, journalists, and media entrepreneurs to build next-generation collaborative media hubs. Their vision resonated with us, and we jumped in, eager to be part of something meaningful.

A huge thank you goes out to The Circle Hubs and their partners—ArtyFarty, AreWeEurope, Nost, and Hostwriter. Their mentorship and insights guided us through those early days, and we’re incredibly grateful for their support.

Special recognition also goes to journalists Oana, Andrei, and Ancuta, who played an important role in shaping Co-Media in its infancy. Though our paths have since diverged, their contributions left a lasting mark on our journey.

Lessons from the Early Days

Those first few months were a whirlwind. We learned so much—not just about media, but about the local landscape in Cluj and Romania. We saw firsthand how young media professionals struggled to find support, and how local communities lacked meaningful engagement. One truth became clear: media and community-building go hand in hand. Without one, the other suffers.

It wasn’t easy. We faced administrative hurdles, limited resources, and endless debates over what to prioritize. Ideas came and went. We second-guessed ourselves. At times, we felt lost in an endless loop of brainstorming.

But looking back, we wouldn’t change a thing. The challenges of 2023 and 2024 helped us define our mission and sharpen our focus. If you’re in that same uncertain stage—keep going. Be patient. Sometimes it takes years for an idea to take shape, and that’s okay. Our motto? Dream big, but start small. Run a workshop. Host an event. Post on social media. And most importantly, build partnerships—because collaboration is everything.

Meeting with students

In 2024, together with Paul we took things further by engaging with journalism and media students from Babeș-Bolyai University. We wanted to understand their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the media landscape. Their insights reinforced something we already knew: aspiring media makers need more than theory—they need real-world opportunities.

As someone who once struggled to build a portfolio, find connections, and access the right resources, I get it. That’s why Co-Media is committed to creating those opportunities—helping students sharpen their skills and bring their ideas to life.

MultiCulti: A Beacon for Change

Community has been at the heart of Co-Media from the very beginning. We started small—sharing our vision with friends, gathering feedback, and refining our approach. Was our mission clear? What did people want to see from an organization like ours? These early conversations shaped our direction.

Every community needs a guiding light, a project that brings people together with purpose. For us, that’s MultiCulti.

It started with a simple idea: What does Cluj need to become a stronger, more connected community? We surveyed 200 residents and found a common theme—people wanted more inclusive spaces, more ways to support each other, and more sustainable local initiatives.

In response, we launched three flea market events, pairing them with hands-on workshops and discussions. These weren’t just markets—they were platforms for exchanging ideas, resources, and solutions. And this is just the beginning. (More on this in a future post—I promise!)

Partnerships That Matter: MindBugs

Speaking of partnerships, one of our most valuable connections has been with MindBugs. We met them during our design sprint and knew instantly that we wanted more than just a professional relationship—we wanted a collaboration rooted in shared values. MindBugs is a Cluj-based company tackling disinformation, digital attacks, and hoaxes with cutting-edge data tools. Their support, like that of all our partners, has been invaluable. If you haven’t checked them out yet, you should. Having strong partners isn’t just about resources—it’s about having people to exchange ideas with, to challenge and inspire each other.

MindBugs

2025 and Beyond: What’s Next?

Here we are in 2025, ready to turn ideas into action. The past two years have been about learning, experimenting, and refining our vision. Now, we’re stepping up our efforts. In the coming weeks, we’ll share details on our next projects—what we’re building, how you can get involved, and what’s on the horizon for Co-Media. Whether you’re a journalist, a student, a creative, or just someone passionate about community-driven activities, we’d love to hear from you.

Community App

We’re building something designed for the community, by the community. Over the past months, we’ve been working on a platform that will make resource exchange easier, fairer, and more intuitive. Our goal? To create a space where people can trade what they have for what they need, reducing waste, strengthening local connections, and making everyday exchanges more meaningful. This wouldn’t be possible without Dorin, who recently joined Co-Media as Co-President and CTO.

Floating hub

We’re taking community engagement to a whole new level—literally. We’re working on an unconventional gathering space, one that challenges traditional ideas of how and where people connect. It will be a place for shared experiences, creative expression, and resourceful thinking, offering a unique environment for conversations, storytelling, and hands-on projects. Still in its early stages, this project will evolve through collaboration, step by step. As we refine the concept, we’ll be reaching out for ideas, support, and hands-on involvement to help shape something truly special. Expect a mix of community-driven activities, creative content, and unexpected encounters—all in a setting that invites curiosity and connection.

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going

If any part of our story resonates with you, reach out. Let’s talk—whether it’s about media, collaboration, or the challenges of starting something new. We’re all about meaningful connections, and we’d love to hear your thoughts. Until next time—keep dreaming, keep creating, and let’s build something great together.