Local cross-border journalism grant: applications open!
The European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) is inviting all journalists interested in doing cross-border investigative journalism at the local level to apply for the new Local Cross-Border Journalism grant.
This grant programme supports local cross-border investigative teams of professional journalists and/or news outlets to bring the locals to the European level as well as to local citizens all over Europe.
Compelling stories can be found everywhere, even at the local level. Unlike other parts of the world, local journalists in some European countries such as Belgium and the Netherlands do not engage in in-depth research or investigative journalism. There are many reasons why the lack of interest among these local journalists to pursue comprehensive projects exist, for example, a lack of funding. This grant programme aims to address the shortage of local journalists and award grants to local investigative and in-depth journalistic projects. The key aspect of this programme is the cross-border collaboration, which will allow interested local journalists and/or media outlets to explore possible solutions using expensive resources. This project also aims to spur more critical thinking about society’s pressing problems, increase the level of debate, and foster civic engagement. The grant can also offer support to preliminary work in the development of new investigative and in-depth projects.
Along with promoting investigative journalism among local cities and/or regions, this project also plans to develop a training programme in various aspects of investigative journalism, local audience engagement, and security as most local journalists lack or have few resources available at their disposal. They may also lack experience with cross-border investigative journalism. The training programmes will include experienced partners with a reputable background and extensive experience in their fields.
The grant can cover working time and expenses such as logistics, travel, insurance, access to legal support, translations, access to technology and data sets, etc.
Along with financial support, teams can also apply for mentorship from an experienced professional with either focus on the investigation or the need for competencies in a specific skill.
How to apply
To apply or to learn more about the eligibility and assessment criteria, timing, jury and grant conditions, visit the application portal.
- Before you start, please consult the grant details
- Use your email address for one-time registration and access the application form online
- Freely navigate through the online form to see which information you need to provide in your application. This includes: team members’ details, information about the intended investigation, information about the intended publication channels, including letters of intent from news outlets, a detailed budget, according to our budget template.
You will also be asked to upload additional administrative documents. One team member can start a draft application. S/he can then invite multiple people to collaborate on the online draft. The online application-in-progress can be saved and further edited at any time
Looking for a teammate to collaborate?
Here are some tips on how to find investigative journalists in other countries to team up with.
Upcoming Event
Don’t miss the webinar to learn more on this new grant opportunity!
18 May 2022 16:00 – 17:00 CEST (online) – Local Cross-Border Journalism: New Funding Opportunities
Register now here!
