Call for Applications:

IWPR Reporting Fellowships for Journalists

from South Caucasus, Moldova, and Ukraine

Closing date: April 22, 2019

Fellowship dates: June 1-30, 2019

The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an independent not-for-profit organisation that works with media and civil society to promote positive change in closed, conflict-affected or transitioning societies worldwide. From offices in the United States and The Netherlands, and our global headquarters in London, we work in more than two dozen of the world’s most challenging countries.

IWPR is seeking experienced journalists from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine to undertake a one-month fellowship in one of these five countries. Fellows will prepare reports from their host country on cross-boundary issues in the areas of European integration, the environment, education, healthcare, culture, conflict, and governance.

The aim of the fellowship is to support the development of each individual’s reporting skills, enhance regional journalistic networks, and foster cross-border and interpersonal relationships among EU eastern partnership countries through improved information sharing across and around the Black Sea.

Terms of the Fellowship

The selected journalist will commit to submitting at least one article or other type of multimedia report each week. Fellows should seek to identify topics of cross-border importance and prepare high-quality reports that will inform wider societies.

Fellows will work independently to identify and research topics and prepare publications with minimum supervision from IWPR.

The fellows will be responsible for publishing their material in a reputable media outlet in their home country. Media outlets in the region can view the fellowship as an opportunity for them to develop their international reporting capacity and should encourage their reporters to apply.  IWPR may ask to publish selected reports on its own platforms.

The fellowship can be based in one of five countries, provided it is not the fellow’s current place of  residence. The fellowships will be distributed geographically as follows:

• Armenia (1 place)
• Azerbaijan (1 place)
• Georgia (2 places)
• Moldova (1 place)
• Ukraine (1 place)

IWPR will individually negotiate the fellowship period and location with each selected fellow. All costs related to travel, accommodation, workplace, and daily living will be covered by IWPR.

Eligibility 

IWPR is looking for committed journalists with a solid portfolio and proven record of high-quality and ethical work. A good understanding of regional as well as in-country dynamics is required.

IWPR is looking for individuals who:

• Approach tasks with responsibility and accountability;
• Are self-starters, capable of working effectively in a new and foreign environment;
• Respect deadlines and are disciplined and organised;
• Adhere to the principles of honesty and integrity in their work.

Fellows must be citizens of one of the South Caucasus countries, Moldova, or Ukraine. Fellowships are directed at individuals who are interested in developing their careers within the region.

All fellows must be fluent in English and Russian. Computer literacy is also required. Freelance as well as staff reporters may apply. 

Application and Selection

Applicants should submit the following documentation through the IWPRwebsite or to caucasusprogramme@iwpr.net no later than 22 April, 2019, 16:00 GMT:

• CV;
• Statement (Cover Letter) outlining motivations for undertaking the fellowship along with a tentative work plan, including desired period and location of the fellowship and three potential topics to be developed;
• Sample of recently published material (Portfolio), preferably relevant to the geographic and/or thematic areas described above.

Select applicants will be invited for an interview with IWPR. If an applicant is accepted into the program, IWPR will work individually with each selected fellow to plan the fellowship.

Questions about the fellowship can be directed to: caucasusprogramme@iwpr.net

About the Fellowship

The fellowship is the part of the project Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the Borderland to the Steppes financed by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by IWPR.

Giving Voice, Driving Change - from the Borderland to the Steppes supports democratic governance and human rights in and across the Ukraine, Caucasus, Moldova and Central Asia by strengthening media and civil society.