Journalist training – where are we after 25 years of transition?

Bankwatch is organising a training to familiarise reporters from EU neighbourhood countries with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and its operations across the neighbourhood region.

The EBRD was created in 1991 to promote market economies and democratisation in the post-socialist region. The bank has invested billions in this transition agenda, advancing programmes aimed at economic liberalisation. Today nearly 25 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall, we look back to assess the effectiveness of the bank’s approach in the region.

The journalism training will have two dimensions: on the one hand, it will familiarise reporters with the institution, its lending practices and controversial topics; on the other, it will provide participants with practical training in essential business journalism skills, taught by an experienced trainer affiliated with the Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Following two days of preparation, participants will attend the annual meetings of the EBRD in Warsaw, where they will be able to pursue stories while having access to expert guidance from the trainer.

Trainer

The course will be led by Oliver Wates, who worked for 21 years as a Reuters correspondent in numerous places around the world and led, among other things, the agency’s coverage of the collapse of the Soviet Union. Read more about Oliver here.

Format

In addition to guest speakers from the EBRD and civil society, the training will centre on discussions among participants and ‘learning by doing’ practical exercises. Participation at the annual meetings of the EBRD following the workshop will offer the opportunity to put theory into practice as reporters pursue stories that develop during the meetings. The working language of the workshop is English.

Eligibility

For this workshop applicants must be young journalists or established bloggers (up to 35 years of age) from one of the EU eastern neighbourhood countries (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Belarus – we will also consider applicants from Poland). The participants should ideally be able to publish one story following their participation in this training.

Funding

Bankwatch offers funding for participants that includes economy class travel expenses, transfers and accommodation for the duration of the event. Please note that there is limited space for this training, and participants will be selected on the basis of information in their application.

Apply

Register via our online application form below, and contact our media coordinator David Hoffman with any questions about the course.