This opportunity is aimed at journalists from the Visegrad region who are eager to develop original story ideas and report directly from the Balkans.
Through financial support, editorial guidance and regional expertise, the programme enables journalists to produce high-quality reporting that reaches audiences both locally and across borders.
About the Programme
The Travel & Reporting Grants are part of BIRN’s broader commitment to strengthening journalistic cooperation between Visegrad and the Balkan region.
Selected applicants will have the opportunity to undertake reporting trips across the Balkans, working closely with BIRN’s network of regional offices in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, and Montenegro, as well as its editorial teams there.
Stories produced through the programme are expected to be published in the applicant’s home-country media outlets, with the possibility of further distribution via BIRN’s Reporting Democracy platform and partner media in the region.
What We Are Looking For
We welcome proposals for original journalistic work in a variety of formats, including:
- investigative reporting
- analytical and explanatory pieces
- feature stories and interviews
- multimedia content (video, photography, podcasts, radio)
- cross-border or serialised reporting projects
Applications should demonstrate strong editorial value, relevance to the target audience, and a clear plan for field reporting.
Who Can Apply
Applications are open to journalists based in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, including:
- freelance journalists and reporters working within newsrooms
- teams of journalists, producers, photographers and video journalists
- media organisations interested in cross-border reporting projects
Grant Details
Each successful applicant will receive a grant of €2,500, intended to cover the costs associated with producing the proposed journalistic work.
Eligible costs include:
- professional fees
- travel and transport expenses
- accommodation
- daily subsistence during fieldwork
- production-related expenses (e.g. fixers, translators, photography, video or audio production support)
Up to 8 grants will be awarded in this call.
Key Dates
Application deadline: 7 August 2026
Project completion deadline: February 2027
Each applicant may submit only one proposal per grant cycle.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official application form in English.
Only fully completed applications submitted through the designated system will be considered.
Selection Process
Applications will be assessed in two stages:
- Technical review
BIRN staff will verify that applications meet eligibility criteria and include all required materials.
- Editorial evaluation
An editorial panel will review eligible proposals based on:
- originality and relevance of the story idea
- feasibility of the reporting plan
- journalistic quality and impact potential
- audience reach and dissemination strategy
Successful applicants will be notified individually once the selection process is complete.
For any questions or clarifications, applicants may contact the programme team at: [email protected]
We look forward to your proposals and to supporting journalism that connects regions and tells important cross-border stories.