Deadline: 7 February 2011
Open to: full-time professional journalists from Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, or Slovenia
Funding: air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation and a modest living allowance
Applications are being accepted for the 2011 programme for Balkan journalists, ‘Economic and Political Reporting from Southeast Europe’ jointly run by Robert Bosch Stiftung and Thomson Reuters Foundation.
To foster quality analysis and reporting on economic issues, enhance coverage on topics that are central to the region’s economic and political development and encourage regional networking among journalists, the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Thomson Reuters Foundation initiated the programme ‘Economic and Political Reporting from Southeast Europe’ in 2007. Fifteen journalists from the Balkans are competitively chosen to participate in the programme, run by experienced ex-Reuters journalists.
The course will cover the following broader topics: writing about emerging market economies, markets reporting and covering companies, practical exercises based on current European themes.
The course is four weeks in length: two weeks in London, 3-15 April and two weeks in Frankfurt and Berlin, 19-30 September. Participants will be expected to attend both parts of the course.
Eligibility
Applicants must be able to speak English and be full-time professional journalists who have been working for at least two years with a recognised publication, website, radio or television station. They must also have a portfolio that includes experience in economic journalism or must otherwise demonstrate a strong interest in economic and political issues.
Applying journalists must be citizens of Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, or Slovenia.
Journalists eligible for the course will also need the following criteria:
1) I am a professional journalist, meaning that:
a. I work full time
b. I am in the possession of a press card
c. My articles have been published regularly in local and/or national media
2) I intend to continue working as a full time professional journalist in the next two years
3) I have a nationality and residency from one of the above mentioned countries.
4) I am able to attend both seminars of the programme in London and Frankfurt/Berlin (London dates: 3-15 April 2011/Germany dates: 18-30 September 2011)
5) I have the permission of my employer to take part in both parts of the programme.
Funding
Participants will be offered full bursaries which includes air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation and a modest living allowance.
Application Process
Apply here.
You willbe asked to submit the following documents:
* A biography of up to 200 words outlining your career.
* A story of up to 200 words on the state of your national economy
* A statement of up to 200 words describing any factors affecting your work as a journalist. Explain how you hope to benefit from the course for which you are applying.
* A letter from your current employer confirming support for your application and granting leave of absence.
* Two recent examples of your published work, preferably relevant to the course for which you are applying, with a brief summary in English (if necessary). TV/Radio journalists can send in their scripts and a brief summary.
The official webpage.
