About Us
Our Project
We want to support and connect podcasters from the WANA region
Aswatona is a comprehensive educational initiative that fosters connection and support for podcasters in the WANA (North Africa and West Asia) region, and beyond. The key aspect is to provide a platform for learning and collaboration through workshops and a mentoring program that enhances the skills of audio journalism, data security, and podcast production. Aswatona (ar. our voices) is also the name of our podcast that is produced by the participants of our program, as well as a trainee’s program, that empowers podcasters to give podcast training to others, thus building a community of competent audio journalists and producers in the future.
Our Focus
We aim to strengthen audio journalism and podcasting
The overall idea is to build up a sustainable transnational network for Arabic speaking podcasters to exchange and learn from one another on a peer-to-peer level within a safe space, in line with SDG 17. Within the educational program, we aim to strengthen professional audio journalism, which empowers people to speak up and participate in shaping society. The experts of our workshops and the mentors are all connected to the region as well as local NGO’s and activists, our participants are interacting with. The idea behind is not only to tighten our close meshed network, but to pursue a critical approach to the theory of development in general.
So we're into:
Transnational Networking
We are convinced that communication and exchange make this world a better place!
Telling Stories
The more we learn about a region, the more we learn about various perspectives, the easier it is to overcome stereotypes!
Empowering Women
At least 60% of our participants will be women to support their personal and professional development (SDG 5) and to strengthen their voices in the podcasting industry.
Strengthening Voices
We aim to give voices from WANA more space in English- and German-speaking countries!
Sharpening Skills
So many things to learn about podcasting, peer-to-peer as well as from experts who are happy to share their precious knowledge – let’s professionalize audio-journalism!
Data Security
We take privacy and data security very seriously
At times when many countries around the world exhibit autocratic the, the safety of people who stand up for their rights is at risk. Women journalists, activists and women working in NGOs are particularly affected. Therefore, We protect all staff, participants, and partner organizations through a security concept and complete anonymization if desired.
Our Team
Want to know a bit about the team?
As one of our goals is to promote transnational communication, we, as a team, are also transnational. Our teamwork takes place predominantly online. Here you can see who is working behind the scenes:
Carlotta Hack
Project Coordination
Katrin Sarah Schäfer
Project Management & Communication
Sabreen Taha
Podcast Production Coordinator
Rasha Aldeeb
Regional Project Coordinator
Leonie Nückell
Project Assistant
Konstantin Auwärter
Intern
Tony Biel
Finance Management
Implementer & Funders
Who is behind Aswatona?
Aswatona is a project of Yasmin Kollektiv e.V. – a non-profit association & non-government organization, based in Germany. We are funded by the German Federal Foreign Office, and the State Hessen.
