I’ve been an admirer of Video Volunteers for awhile now, having learned about their global-empowerment-through-media-production initiatives while still at Current. I’ve got to say, though, their new initiative VCU.br, feels pretty next level. In addition to teaching young, aspiring media professionals the basics of digital production and new media storytelling, they’re also teaching them HOW TO MAKE MONEY MAKING MEDIA.

Jessica Mayberry, of Video Volunteers, explains it like this:

We’re giving them entrepreneurship training in things like how to make contacts in the TV industry, how to write a proposal for grants or for NGO films, and how to write a “pitch” to a TV station. They are learning about financial planning for themselves and for a small business, and how to work with clients. Most crucially, they are learning about the spaces that exist for people like them in the new world of “citizen journalism” and low cost technologies, and are thinking deeply about the kinds of unheard stories from their favelas that they may be uniquely poised, above even the “professionals,” to tell.

We’re definitely going to be keeping an eye on what kind of content comes out of this initiative and maybe to try to touch these developing world creatives to produce some video for Urgent in the future.

More here.