Open Call for Second Round of Traineeship Programme for Young Journalists

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Journalism students, recent graduates and journalists at the beginning of their career from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are welcomed to apply for a paid four-month traineeship programme at well-respected media outlets across the region.

If you are looking to kick off your career in journalism, but are struggling to find the right place to gain practical knowledge, our traineeship programme is what you need. The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network, BIRN, is collaborating with established, independent and highly professional media outlets across the Western Balkans to offer a total of 12 placements alongside financial and mentoring support.

The second round of the traineeship programme was launched after successfully completing a first cycle from November 2020 until February 2021, where 12 aspiring, young journalists spent four months working in professional newsrooms in the region, producing over 300 different news pieces. Some examples of their work may be seen here, here, here and here.

The programme, implemented within the Media for All project saw a great success as a number of participants were offered roles or temporary positions at different media after completing their traineeship.

The second round is set to begin in July with an online training on the basics of journalism led by experienced international editor and trainer, Matt Robinson. Trainees will then spend four months at one media outlet, where they will have a dedicated mentor and senior staff member, who will provide every-day guidance and feedback.

Interns will have the chance to become full-time members of the newsroom for four months, attending editorial meetings, learning how to pitch ideas and chose relevant angle for a story, learning how to cover daily events and perform different kinds of interviews, working in the field, doing a live broadcast, writing analyses, feature stories, fact-checks and much more. Trainees will receive financial support to cover minimum living costs during those four months.

We are offering 12 full-time traineeship placements in six Western Balkans countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia (two placements per country, see the full list of host media here).

Due to the travel restrictions and health concerns caused by COVID-19, applicants will be placed in the outlet in their country of residence. Applicants may express their preferences as to which media outlet they would like to spend their traineeship with, but the organisers maintain the right to make the final decision about placement.

Who can apply?

Senior year journalism students, recent graduates or young journalists from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia may apply.

Applicants must be between 18 and 26 years old.

Candidates from all parts of the country in question are encouraged to apply, as the project can provide funds for travel within one country, as well as accommodation costs.

Financial support:

All selected participants will receive financial support during their placement to cover minimum living costs.

In case candidates need to travel or relocate within the country during the course of the programme, travel and accommodation costs will also be covered by the organisers.

How to apply?

Applicants should complete and submit only one application. All applications should be submitted in English before June 13th, at midnight CET to [email protected] along with the following documents:

  • Applicant’s CV (in English)
  • Motivation letter (in English)
  • Work sample (in English or local language)
  • Evidence of status (in English or local language)

The motivation letter should show how you would benefit from this programme and your motivation to participate.

Applicants who do not have any published work can submit their student assignments from practical courses in journalism.

Applicants should provide evidence of their current status – whether they are students, recent graduates or working as journalists. This evidence includes, but are not limited to, confirmation of enrolment for the ongoing academic year OR diploma/degree certificate/confirmation of graduation issued in the last two years OR evidence of your current employment.

DURATION OF TRAINEESHIP: July 2021 – October 2021

APPLICATION DEADLINE: June 13th, 2021 CET

ONLINE TRAINING: Two weeks, July 2021

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: Download here

APPLICATION FORM: Download here

LIST OF HOST MEDIA: Download here

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