Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN), a network of non-governmental organizations that promotes freedom of speech, human rights, and democratic values in Southern and Eastern Europe, is currently inviting applications for its BIRN Reporting Democracy Grants for Journalists 2024.
Journalists from Central, Eastern, and Southeastern Europe are being invited by Reporting Democracy to submit ideas for interesting stories that highlight problems with democracy in the area.
Supporting analytical and investigative journalism, promoting media independence, and amplifying voices on social justice, the rule of law, minority rights, equality, access to public services, and other human rights-related issues are the goals of this funding opportunity.
Grants Award
Professional freelance or staff journalists can apply for grants worth 2,000 euros each to support their ideas for feature, investigative, or analytical articles.
Reporting Democracy will also offer a venue for publishing and disseminating chosen stories along with editorial support.
BIRN Reporting Democracy Grants for Journalists 2024 – Eligibility Criteria
- Journalists from North Macedonia, Moldova, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Kosovo, Montenegro, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, and Slovenia are eligible to apply for grants.
- Formal candidates may be individual journalists who work as freelancers or as members of newsroom teams (reporter, producer, photographer, and video editor, for example), with the contract being signed by the team leader.
- This cycle will award up to 10 scholarships, and each applicant may only submit one application for this grant scheme.
- Each donation can only be up to 2,000 euros in total.
- Approaches from across borders are welcomed
- Fees, travel expenses, and different production expenditures (papers, cameraman, photographer, etc.) are all considered eligible expenses.
BIRN Reporting Democracy Grants for Journalists 2024 – How to Apply?
- The application for BIRN Reporting Democracy Grants should be submitted in English via the application form at https://be.ecrtool.org/admin/webform/manage/application_form_reporting_democ/share/preview
- Applicants can submit extra supporting documents online. Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) will only ask for clarifications if the material supplied is insufficient to provide an unbiased evaluation.
- For more information, please visit https://birn.eu.com/news-and-events/call-for-applications-reporting-democracy-grants-for-journalists/
Evaluation and selection process:
Step I: Technical assessment by BIRN personnel to confirm that applicants completed all necessary paperwork and adhered to application guidelines.
Step II: The editorial board evaluates submissions to choose candidates based on standards such as the idea’s quality and uniqueness, its viability, and its potential to reach a large audience.
Step III: Notifying the candidates.
The chosen candidates will be notified two weeks following the call’s conclusion.
Application Deadline
The application deadline for BIRN Reporting Democracy Grants for Journalists 2024, is January 30, 2024.
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