Whether you are developing a new media idea or strengthening an existing one, the SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR is designed to support your next step.
Apply from 24 March to 15 April 2026.
Are you ready to take your media to the next level?
Join the SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR.
SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR is an initiative of DW Akademie dedicated to strengthening quality journalism in North Africa.
Through two complementary programs — MEDIA LOVES TECH and MEDIA PARCOURS — early-stage media projects and established media outlets benefit from tailored, intelligent, and hands-on support designed to meet their real editorial, organizational, and strategic challenges.
What is it about?
The SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR brings together two programs of excellence: MEDIA LOVES TECH, the incubation program for emerging media projects, and MEDIA PARCOURS, the acceleration program for established media organizations.
Both programs offer access to a rich and supportive environment designed around the real needs of participating media. We work closely with each team to understand their challenges, mobilize the right expertise at the right time, build connections and synergies, share opportunities, and support the development of new ideas that strengthen their media over the long term.
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| MEDIA LOVES TECH MEDIA LOVES TECH is designed for media project leaders and technology-driven initiatives for journalism. The program supports teams from North Africa in testing the feasibility of their ideas and preparing them to become market-ready.Selected applicants begin with a three-month pre-incubation phase delivered entirely online, focused on structured learning through curated courses & online sessions. This is followed by an additional three-month incubation phase, combining access to the online platform with one-to-one, tailor-made expert support on demand, adapted to the specific needs of each project. The program is built to help teams move from concept to clarity — making informed decisions, refining their solutions, and laying solid foundations for future development. | MEDIA PARCOURS The SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR acceleration program, MEDIA PARCOURS, runs over a period of nine months and is designed for established Moroccan and Tunisian media organizations — whether independent, associative, or private — seeking to strengthen and optimize their operations.MEDIA PARCOURS supports participating media by sharing proven practices and responding to their specific needs. Together with each organization, a tailored pathway is defined, combining expertise, capacity building, organizational support, and access to opportunities. We are looking for media actors committed to strengthening quality journalism and ready to engage in a structured growth journey. |
Apply now and join the SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR’s hub of excellence.
Stages of the programs
MEDIA LOVES TECH
MEDIA PARCOURS
Am I eligible, and how do I apply?
Before applying, we encourage you to carefully review the information available on the MEDIA LOVES TECH and MEDIA PARCOURS pages to ensure that your project or media matches the program’s objectives and eligibility criteria.
Applications to the SMART MEDIA ACCELERATOR are submitted through one single application form.
At the very beginning of the form, applicants select the program they are applying to — MEDIA LOVES TECH or MEDIA PARCOURS — based on their country of residence. They then complete the corresponding application in full.
How to apply:
- Complete the application form available at the top of this page.
- Select MEDIA LOVES TECH or MEDIA PARCOURS at the start of the form, according to the requirements.
- Submit your application.
What happens next:
- All applicants will receive a confirmation after submission.
- Selected MEDIA LOVES TECH applicants will be contacted with further instructions regarding access to the online learning platform.
- Selected MEDIA PARCOURS applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview.
Applications are open from 24 March to 15 April 2026.
Contact
Do you have a question? Contact us here:
medialovestech@dw.com
mediaparcours@dw.com
Follow us on:
Facebook/SmartMediaAccelerator
Youtube.com/@SmartMediaAccelerator
