Beyond Prejudice: Documentary Journalism and Civil Society Cooperation for the Dignity of Ukrainian Refugees

The project aims to reduce prejudice against Ukrainian refugees, counter anti-Ukrainian narratives, and explain the war’s social consequences to Hungarian audiences through documentary journalism.
Direct target groups: (1) Ukrainian refugees in Hungary, especially Roma refugees facing double stigmatisation, who receive dignified public visibility and human rights protection; (2) the Hungarian public, especially in Szeged and Southern Hungary, where we aim to reduce prejudice, anti-Ukrainian narratives and war-related disinformation; (3) civil society organisations and professionals working with refugees, whose work gains greater visibility. Indirect: local communities, teachers, employers, volunteers, decision-makers.
Over 24 months, Szegeder will produce a 15-part documentary video series, 45–60 short social media videos and an 80+ minute documentary film. The project covers refugee stories, anti-Ukrainian propaganda, local integration barriers, civilian realities in Ukraine and the war’s long-term social consequences.
The project involves civil society experts, refugee-support professionals and independent media partners. The outputs will be published on Szegeder’s channels, video platforms, social media and through partner dissemination. The series and documentary will remain publicly available after the project.

 Professional Preparation, Research, and Development of a Production System
During the first three months of the project, Szegeder will finalize the professional, ethical, production, and impact assessment framework for the 15-part series so that the content consists not of standalone videos but of components of an intervention based on human rights and anti-disinformation principles.
Production of a Hungarian Documentary Video Series
The goal of this activity is to produce 12 episodes by Hungarian documentary filmmakers on the situation of Ukrainian refugees, the prejudices they face, anti-Ukrainian narratives, and barriers to local integration.
Field reporting trip to Ukraine and production of related episodes
The goal of this activity is for the 15-episode series and the concluding documentary to depict not only the situation of Ukrainian refugees who have arrived in Hungary but also the civil and social reality from which they were forced to flee.
Short-form content, publications, and multi-channel distribution
The goal of this activity is to ensure that the 15 full-length documentary episodes not only reach Szegeder’s existing audience but also, in short, platform-specific formats, reach viewers who are less likely to follow public affairs or human rights content but may encounter anti-Ukrainian narratives.
Production of a Documentary, Screenings, and Impact Monitoring
The goal of this activity is to ensure that the 15-episode series can be used over the long term as a cohesive body of educational material and that the project’s social impact can be documented.

Beyond Prejudice: Documentary Journalism and Civil Society Cooperation for the Dignity of Ukrainian Refugees

Over 24 months, Szegeder will produce a 15-part documentary video series, 45–60 short social media videos and an 80+ minute documentary film. The project covers refugee stories, anti-Ukrainian propaganda, local integration barriers, civilian realities in Ukraine and the war’s long-term social consequences.
The project involves civil society experts, refugee-support professionals and independent media partners. The outputs will be published on Szegeder’s channels, video platforms, social media and through partner dissemination. The series and documentary will remain publicly available after the project.