MicOn Podcast Workshops
Podcasts are powerful tools — they give you space to speak in your own words, explore topics that matter to you, and connect with people through stories, conversations and ideas.
Through MicOn Podcast Workshops, we invite people from Ukraine registered and living in Berlin and Brandenburg to discover podcasting as a creative and practical tool for expression, communication and participation.
You don’t need previous podcasting experience or a finished concept. Over six months, we will accompany you step by step — from your first idea and storyline to recording, production and your own finished podcast episode.
The program starts in November 2026 and ends in March 2027. Participation is free of charge.
Do you have questions? Please browse our FAQs.
Created and coordinated by Commit gGmbH.
Co-funded by the European Union.
Contents of this page
About
MicOn is a six-month learning and production journey combining practical workshops, group sessions, individual coaching, and hands-on studio experience.
In a small group of up to 12 participants, you will learn how podcasts are created while gradually developing your own episode. We start with the basics, then move step by step through concept development, interviews and storytelling to recording, editing, and final production.
Throughout the journey, you will receive individual guidance and feedback, while also having plenty of space to exchange ideas, experiment, and learn together with the group.
One-day introductory workshop
Start with the basics: What makes a good podcast? How do you develop an idea, structure an episode, and prepare an interview? During our full-day introductory workshop, you will get to know the podcast production process, learn the basics of working with Hindenburg audio editing software, and start developing your own podcast idea.
Hindenburg software is provided to each participant free of charge for the entire duration of the program.
Four masterclasses
Group coaching
Turn your first idea into a podcast concept. Across four online masterclasses and group coaching sessions, we will work on ideation, interview techniques, storytelling, and developing a clear storyline for your episode. You will also deepen your practical skills in working with Hindenburg. These sessions are a space to bring your work in progress: test ideas, ask questions, receive feedback, and learn from each other as your podcasts begin to take shape.
1:1 coaching
Now the focus is on bringing your individual podcast to life. In one-to-one coaching sessions, you will have dedicated time to work on your concept, storyline, interviews and recordings, address individual questions, and prepare the next steps in your production.
Individual studio coaching
Time to step into the studio! In an individual studio session, you will gain hands-on experience with recording, narration, and professional podcast equipment. Together with the coach, you can work directly on the audio material for your own episode and receive practical guidance tailored to your production.
Final production masterclass
Group coaching
This is where all the pieces come together. During our final production masterclass, you will work with your recordings and learn how to edit, cut, structure, and shape your material into a finished podcast episode. After the production phase, we will also guide you through online distribution and preparing your podcast for publication.
By the end of MicOn, you will have taken your idea through the full podcast journey — from the first concept to your own produced episode, whether it features your voice, an interview, a conversation, or a topic you want to bring to a wider audience.
This learning journey is designed and delivered in cooperation between the Berlin School of Podcasting and Commit gGmbH.
All technical equipment is provided free of charge.
This learning journey is designed and delivered in cooperation between the Berlin School of Podcasting and Commit gGmbH.
All technical equipment is provided free of charge.
Why podcasting
Podcasting gives you the freedom to explore topics in your own language, tone and pace. For Berlin-based Ukrainian communities navigating displacement, integration, and belonging, it can be much more than a medium — it’s a tool for connection, creativity, and healing.
It can create space for personal stories and experiences, but it can also be a way to share your knowledge, explore social or cultural questions, interview people you find inspiring, or bring perspectives from your community into wider public conversations.
Through podcasting, you can:
Podcasting can also serve as a form of self-reflection: by putting complex experiences into words and shaping them into a meaningful story arc, you gain clarity, make sense of your journey, and reclaim your narrative.
Along the way, you’ll develop valuable skills in communication, media literacy, project planning, and self-organization. Whether you’re completely new to audio or already have an idea in mind, this workshop will guide and support you in bringing your story to life.
What you’ll gain
Who can join
This program is for you if you:
- Are from Ukraine and live and are officially registered in Berlin or Brandenburg
- Are 18 years or older
- Are curious about podcasting, audio and storytelling
- Have a topic, idea, experience or conversation you would like to explore
- Want to strengthen your communication and media skills
- Are ready to actively work on your own podcast episode between November 2026 and March 2027
You do not need previous podcasting experience, and you don’t need to have a developed podcast idea when you apply.
This program is open to:
- People from Ukraine with a fleeing or migrating experience.
- People interested in telling stories or exploring topics that matter to them
- Active volunteers and people interested in civic or community engagement
- Representatives of Ukrainian diaspora and civil society organizations
- People interested in media, communication and creative storytelling
The group is limited to 12 participants.
The main program language is English. You can create your podcast episode in the language of your choice: Ukrainian, German, or English.
Contact
If you have any questions, please send a message to
Vidnova Plus is developed and implemented by Commit gGmbH and co-funded by the European Union.
FAQ
Your Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vidnova Plus?
Vidnova Plus is a program for people from Ukraine who live in Berlin and Brandenburg and want to develop their own initiatives, volunteer, strengthen their civic engagement, and build cooperation between Ukrainian and German communities.
Why does the program operate only in Berlin and Brandenburg?
Who can participate in the program?
- People from Ukraine who live and are officially registered in Berlin or Brandenburg
- Aged 18 or older
- There is no upper age limit
- Interested in developing initiatives, volunteering, or fostering cooperation between communities
- Ready to provide copies of documents confirming residence status and registration*
*Why do we ask for these documents? And what about the protection of personal data?
Our program is funded by the European Union, which means that the use of funds is subject to strict transparency and audit requirements. The donor requires confirmation that the participants are indeed people for whom the program is intended, and that opportunities are distributed as widely as possible rather than repeatedly provided to the same individuals.
For this reason, we ask participants to provide documents confirming their residence status and place of registration.
At the same time, the processing of personal data is carried out in accordance with the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). This means that:
- documents are used exclusively to confirm eligibility for participation in the program and for reporting to the donor;
- access to these documents is limited to authorized members of the project team;
- data are not shared with third parties, except in cases of official project verification by donors or auditors;
- documents are stored securely and only for the period necessary for financial reporting, after which they are deleted in accordance with data protection regulations.
In which language is the program conducted?
What are the components of the program?
Vidnova Plus Engagement – training and mentoring support for participants who want to implement their own small community project or volunteer with organizations in Berlin or Brandenburg.
Vidnova Plus Dialogue – facilitated networking events that bring together Ukrainian and German communities for learning, exchange, collaboration, and the development of initiatives, projects, or volunteering activities.
Vidnova Plus Podcast / podcast workshops – a format that helps participants learn how to use audio as a tool for influence and amplify the voice of the Ukrainian community.
Peer-to-peer – a format where participants exchange experiences of migration and civic engagement and share practical insights and life hacks.
Is it possible to participate in several program components?
Each program in Vidnova Plus is designed to offer a focused and meaningful experience, allowing participants to fully engage with the community and activities of their chosen path. Engagement, Podcast, and Peer-to-peer follow separate participation tracks, and participants can take part in only one of these formats at a time and only once. Vidnova Plus Dialogue, however, remains open to everyone — whether or not they are part of other Vidnova Plus programs — as a space for broader exchange and connection.
Participation in Vidnova Plus offers several unique formats designed to support different interests, learning styles, and ways of connecting. Depending on your interests, you can choose the format that fits you best:
Vidnova Plus Engagement is a 5-month educational and exchange program focused on learning, development, sustained participation, and societal engagement.
Vidnova Plus Podcast (MicOn) concentrates on developing podcasting skills and exploring creative audio storytelling.
Peer-to-peer formats are centered around mutual support, skill sharing, and exchange between participants in a collaborative environment.
Vidnova Plus Dialogue is a series of events open to wider participation, creating space for conversations, networking, and shared reflection.
To find out which program fits you best, take the participation quiz:
Is participation free of charge?
Yes, participation is free of charge. Vidnova Plus is created and implemented by Commit gGmbH and funded by the European Union.
Can I receive an official letter for the Jobcenter or my employer?
Yes, we can provide an official confirmation letter upon request.
Will participants receive a certificate?
Yes, participants will receive a certificate if they attend at least 90% of the sessions within Vidnova Plus Engagement, Vidnova Plus Podcast, or Vidnova Plus Dialogue.
The Peer-to-peer format does not include certification.
Does the program provide support for learning German or finding a job?
No, the program does not offer direct support for language learning or employment. However, active participation during and after the program helps develop skills, expand networks, and positively contributes to integration.
Does the program provide financial support for developing initiatives or organizations?
No, the program does not provide direct financial support. However, participants receive informational support about grant opportunities from program partners.
What is meant by “implementing your own small community project or volunteering in organizations in Berlin or Brandenburg”?
This refers to the opportunity to launch your own initiative within your community or to join the activities of an existing organization. Examples of small community projects include organizing a neighborhood gathering, a Sprachcafé, workshops, meetups, sports or thematic events. These are small-scale initiatives aimed at bringing people together, strengthening community ties, and encouraging civic participation. Volunteering means unpaid, formal engagement with organizations whose mission aligns with your interests, such as environmental organizations, sports clubs, social or cultural initiatives. The focus is on your active contribution to the development of the community.
