The fellows came to the Austrian capital to refine the story proposals which formed the basis of their applications for the programme.
The participants are receiving coaching and professional support in planning their research, carrying out their reporting and structuring their stories.
They also participate in story commissioning sessions led by BFJE programme editor Andrew Gray and Balkan Insight Editor in Chief Ana Petruseva.The purpose of these sessions is to brainstorm ideas in order to come up with new angles and sharpen the focus of the stories.
The seminar also includes a photography workshop and a visit to the newsroom of the prominent Austrian daily Der Standard.
The BFJE programme was established in 2007 and provides 10 journalists annually with training and mentoring, as well as the financial resources to travel and carry out research, in order to produce long investigative or analytical stories on topics important to the region’s development. The Balkan Fellowship for Journalistic Excellence is supported by ERSTE Foundation and Open Society Foundations.