EducationSoJo microgrant & mentoring – Georgia, Moldova & Romania
Transitions announces a call for microgrants for journalists interested in developing solutions stories in Georgia, Moldova & Romania. Stipends are available for up to 500 € (400 € + 100 € for travel costs or more complex stories or series of stories). In addition to financial support, we also offer mentoring during the entire production of the article to achieve the highest possible quality.
Both staff journalists and freelance reporters are eligible. Story pitches must be submitted in English (don’t worry it doesn’t have to be perfect!), but you are free to publish the article in your own publication in your native language.
What is Solutions Journalism?
Solutions Journalism is rigorous reporting about responses to society’s problems. It is complete journalism that not only spotlights the problems but follows an evidence-based presentation of existing solutions. Such reporting enhances knowledge and accountability by providing the whole story to readers and offers constructive content in an age of media apathy.
Read more about what solutions journalism is (and what it isn’t).
Before submitting a proposal …
We strongly recommend watching the webinar “Introduction to solutions journalism,” to be sure you understand the basics of this approach. In our experience, those who have already attended a workshop or reviewed related resources are much more likely to receive funding. Examples of solutions stories can be found here.
The proposal must meet the basic criteria of solutions journalism:
- Practices high-quality journalism (rigorous reporting);
- Describes an existing response to a social problem, how it works, and why (it does not present theories and claims of “should be”);
- Brings evidence of the impact of the solution being pursued (not just good intentions);
- Offers a broader insight/lesson that can be beneficial to others in a similar situation; and
- Discusses the limits of the solution/response (no solution is perfect).
The following factors will be taken into account when assessing the application:
- Focus on a particular solution (investigation of the response to a problem),
- the quality of the project (clearly defined objectives and the activities leading to their achievement),
- the societal importance of the topic and the contribution to public debate,
- predicted local audience reach (number of readers/listeners/viewers)
- the professional credibility of the author/editorial staff and the individuals involved in the project.
Application
If you want to apply, please fill in the APPLICATION FORM. Pitches must be submitted in English (don’t worry it doesn’t have to be perfect English!), but you are free to publish the article in your own publication in your native language.
Deadline for submissions: 28 February 2021.
Each request will be assessed by a jury made up of representatives of Transitions and the local partner in the particular country. This jury will select and announce the winning candidates. The grant recipients will have three months to publish their work.
The story is supposed to be published within three months.
After publishing the story, the grantee is required to submit a report of a minimum of 4,000 characters on his/her practical experience with the use of solutions journalism and to agree that Transitions and/or the Solutions Journalism Network may use all or parts of the final report for promotional or training purposes.
While the primary target audience should be local, grantees agree to have supported stories translated and republished in English without limitation on Transitions magazine in order to reach international audiences.
If you have questions, please contact Lucie Černá: lucie.cerna@tol.org
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