The Balkan news media are increasingly required to report on complex reform issues with regional and Europe-wide dimensions. Journalists, however, are under-prepared to tackle these, lacking resources for appropriate training and foreign travel. The lack of information and analysis on transitional challenges and opportunities feeds the introspection common in all countries of the region, discouraging public engagement in its recovery, development and European integration.

The fellowship programme features an introductory seminar in Berlin, providing professional guidance to fellows as they prepare their projects. Once underway, local editors from BIRN network are on hand to supervise and mentor each fellow’s research and reporting. The programme moreover includes individual research trips to another country of the region and the EU, as well as a concluding seminar and award ceremony in Vienna. Supporting programmes in Vienna and Berlin ensure that fellows learn about current political and economic issues of concern in the EU, and feature meetings with representatives of the Austrian and German media, as well as political and economic actors.

Journalists receive a fellowship of 2000 Euros and a travel allowance of up to 2000 Euros.

The selection committee judges the quality of reports and progress made, awarding one fellow with an individually-tailored opportunity for further professional development, to the value of 8000 Euros.

Fellowship reports are published in a special book and electronic format, and disseminated widely in all local languages, English and German.

Fellows are encouraged to maintain contact and support new intakes through an alumni network.

Requirements
- citizen of Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania or Serbia,
- demonstrable experience in written journalism;
- agreement of employer to participate in the fellowship programme;
- ability to communicate fluently in English
(NB. reporting may be done in local language).