The CARAVAN Project's Legacy: 56 Million Views and Turkmenistan's Voice in the Media Dialogue
On July 7–8, the Connect for Peace 2026 regional festival, the final event of the CARAVAN project, took place in Almaty. It brought together journalists, media professionals, researchers, civil society representatives, and partner organizations from Central Asian countries. The event served as a platform to summarize the initiative's two-and-a-half years of work, aimed at developing modern journalism, media literacy, and professional cooperation in the region.
The CARAVAN project, funded by the European Union, aimed to create reliable and socially relevant content, develop critical thinking, strengthen professional ties between journalists, and enhance the resilience of the media environment in the face of rapid digital change.
Results in Figures and Faces
One of CARAVAN's key performance indicators was the increased presence of high-quality, verified content in the region's information space.
The project produced 1,599 materials, which collectively received over 56 million views. 42 independent media organizations and content creators received support. 28 cross-border projects were also implemented, covering climate change, human rights, migration, gender equality, security, and other socially significant topics.
Among the most notable joint projects were the environmental documentary "Alatau: Following the Disappearing Glaciers," as well as the social series "Third Places" and "Accessible City." Other CARAVAN joint projects addressed healthcare, migration, human rights protection, and social issues requiring public attention.
One of CARAVAN's key focuses was professional development for media professionals. 303 journalists, editors, bloggers, SMM specialists, and content creators participated in the training events. Over 350 media representatives received specialized training on countering disinformation, using artificial intelligence, digital storytelling, and modern media tools.
Turkmenistan in Regional Media Dialogue
Representatives from Turkmenistan also participated in the CARAVAN project. Training in modern tools, sharing experiences, and interacting with colleagues from other countries became part of the overall process of developing regional media cooperation.
CARAVAN Project CEO Vadim Sadonshoev shared his impressions of working with the Turkmen participants in an exclusive interview with ORIENT.
"I was left with a very warm and respectful impression. The Turkmen journalists and students we met with as part of the CARAVAN project demonstrated great interest, attentiveness, and a desire to develop. It's especially gratifying to see young people asking insightful questions and desiring to better understand modern media, new technologies, audience engagement mechanisms, and a journalist's responsibility to society," Vadim noted.
"Central Asia is strong in its diversity, and Turkmenistan's voice in this conversation is crucial," the project director emphasized.
According to him, over the past two and a half years, the CARAVAN team has faced significant organizational challenges—from complex logistics and language nuances to the need to consider the specific media environments of each republic. However, this experience has proven the value of a flexible approach: the organizers didn't impose a single, rigid model on the participants, but rather created an environment where colleagues could learn from each other while maintaining their local identities.
Speaking about the future of journalism, the CARAVAN project's general director emphasized that despite the development of artificial intelligence, new platforms, and digital tools, the profession's most important resource remains audience trust.
In closing, Vadim Sadonshoev wished young journalists from Turkmenistan and throughout Central Asia to maintain professional curiosity, continually develop their skills, responsibly manage information, and remember the important social role of their work.
ORIENT
