MIRA’s goal is to give ALL communities equal access to tools and opportunities for exchanging information, engaging with decision makers and building livelihoods. MIRA was founded on the belief that every community has a worthwhile story to tell — if they are provided the resources to do so. In the digital age, there are unprecedented new tools for information sharing, but many communities’ voices are still not being heard because they do not enjoy access to or information about these tools. As group of seasoned industry professionals, we aim to give young people in marginalized communities a stake in shaping their future by making their voices heard while they learn valuable skills. MIRA provides: Hands-on training in digital video, audio, photo, editing and other digital media with the involvement of local professionals; Mentoring and advocacy to sharpen digital storytelling skills, engage communities, civic leaders and larger audiences, and tighten the feedback loop between young people and policy makers; Practical advice and assistance on launching a career in digital media and accessing wider distribution; and An online platform for showcasing original media content and facilitating peer-to-peer discussions. Our impacts include: Helping at-risk young women and men to explore livelihood in an emerging field and build self-esteem; Promoting diversity, gender equality and integrity in a new generation of media professionals; Encouraging dialogue on issues affecting vulnerable communities by making voices heard on a global platform; Creating an open and widely-accessible online platform (via YouTube and social media) in which a diverse range of digital stories can be accessed and discussed; Empowering at-risk youth to become advocates for others in their communities; and Helping young women and men to lead positive social change by telling their stories and sharing them with others across the world.