Sensitisation Workshop on CSOs and CBOs for the Media
June 16th, 2026
The Bhutan Media Foundation (BMF) successfully concluded the three-day Sensitisation Workshop on CSOs and CBOs for the Media (including freelancers and social media influencers) held from 10–12 June 2026 at Haa Heritage Hotel. 23 media professionals participated, including 14 journalists from mainstream media, 7 social media influencers, and 2 freelancers.
The final day featured insightful discussions on the role of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in promoting inclusive and sustainable development. Participants heard inspiring experiences from the Entrepreneurs of Chhukha and EcoEmpower Women Group of Trongsa, highlighting how community-led initiatives are creating positive social and economic change at the grassroots level.
The programme also emphasized strengthening collaboration between the media and civil society through a dedicated session on Building Effective Media–CSO Partnerships for Public Interest Communication. Participants actively engaged in a panel discussion titled “Bridging the Gap between Media and Civil Society”, which explored practical media engagement strategies aimed at enhancing public awareness and amplifying community voices.
Throughout the workshop, journalists, media professionals, freelancers, and social media influencers engaged with civil society leaders and practitioners to better understand the roles, contributions, challenges, and impact of CSOs and CBOs in Bhutan’s development landscape.
The Bhutan Media Foundation would like to extend its sincere gratitude to all participants, facilitators, speakers, and partner organizations for their active engagement and valuable contributions throughout the workshop.
We are particularly grateful to Helvetas Bhutan for its continued support and to the European Union (EU in India) for funding this initiative under the project “CSOs as Actors in Governance and Development.” We also thank all participating media houses, freelancers, and social media influencers for their enthusiasm and commitment to promoting informed, responsible, and impactful storytelling on civil society and community development issues.
Together, we can build stronger partnerships between media and civil society for a more informed, inclusive, and engaged Bhutan.