The European Fund for the Balkans is calling on investigative journalists from the Western Balkans to apply for research grants.

Within the Engaged Democracy Initiative (EDI), we are looking for investigative journalists to explore and produce regional stories that fall into one of five thematic areas:

  • Environment: Investigate pressing issues like air/water/soil pollution, deforestation, and the consequences of mining activities.
  • Public Space: Explore how communities claim, protect, or lose public spaces to privatization and urban development.
  • Civic Rights/Rights of Activists: Uncover threats and challenges to human rights, and instruments used against activists and civil society actors (i.e. SLAPP).
  • Decent Work: Address challenges around fair labour practices, unemployment, and workers’ rights in the region.
  • Media: Investigate the lack of media freedoms in the region and threats against media workers.

The main product of the research should be a long-read investigative piece.

Eligibility:

  • Journalists from and reporting on the Western Balkans region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia). An application can be submitted by one or more journalists.
  • Proven track-record in reporting on regional issues.
  • Proven expertise in the above outlined thematic areas.

What we offer:

  • A small grant to carry out in-depth investigative reports in the amount of 3000 EUR gross per application. Overall, up to six grants will be allocated.

Timeline:

  • Selected journalists will have around four to six months for their work.

How to Apply:

Please submit your proposal and supporting documents via this link by October 31, 2024.

For further inquiries, contact katarina.tadic@balkanfund.org