ECJP

You might wonder how the five days programme looks like in more detail. Please find some answers here:

The five-day programme combines a variety of formats in order to explore the potential of cross-border collaboration and to encourage participants to connect with like-minded colleagues: Expert inputs provide the basics of cross-border collaboration, explain the method and reflect on the various roles of a team. In several working sessions participants further develop the story ideas selected during the initial pitch round when everyone presents his/her idea that will later form the basis of a collaborative investigation. Evening "fireside lounge talks" offer an informal, living-room-like setting to exchange about professional experiences and challenges.
The setting of ECJP can also be described as a sort of „mini conference” but also as a safe space where you get inspired, meet colleagues to build up working relationships and discuss topics of mutual interest.

The schedule, exemplarily, looks as follows:
Day 1: Landing and connecting: Departing around 2pm in Hamburg, driving to Siggen, spending the afternoon and evening to get to know the programme, each other and the location.
Day 2: Exploring and grounding: Pitching session, matchmaking round, beach work, fireside lounge talk
Day 3: Getting to work: collaboratively: Working session, Input, matchmaking if necessary, working session, evening off
Day 4: Full focus and integrating last ideas: Working sessions, practice Fireside lounge talk
Day 5: Rounding up and looking ahead: Presenting your story and receive feedback from experts and peers, wrap up and preparing for Dataharvest 2026, feedback, Leaving for Hamburg at 1:30pm (arrival around 3:30)

Participants of ECJP 2025 (collected anonymously):

"I can take away a boost of energy, a renewed knowing that there are so many different and valuable professions and people and also a real network with whom take forward investigations."

"It was a really beautiful and fruitful experience. I learned a lot about how to structure navigate and explore ideas for investigations which, I think, will be really useful for me long-term."

"Going back home inspired to work on new things and I can't overstate how valuable it is for someone new to cross-border journalism to have a network like this to rely on/to collaborate with."

Participants of ECJP 2024:

"It was a privilege to be part of this wonderful programme. I'd certainly recommend it to anyone interested in collaborative journalism across European borders. It was a fantastic experience from start to finish." (Annick Hus, Belgium)

"The best networking and training opportunity I had so far in my career." (Lyse Mauvais, France)

"What really surprised me – and it’s something that definitely should be maintained in future editions – is how the process of reaching the final working ideas was so organic. Step by step, some ideas began gaining traction.  [...] It was a privilege to take part in such an incredible learning experience." (Vânia, Portugal)

Participants of ECJP 2023:

"Getting to know colleagues from all over Europe is incredibly precious. The level of connection we got at Siggen can never be reached at any conference or similar event. It will definitely help us to work together further. Even if not on the pitched stories, but on future projects that we will come up with and share in the chat." (Yulia, Russia / Europe, in exile)

"The programme introduced me to a bunch of journalistic approaches, I gained access to new networks and learned about ways of working together and funding that work. The structure of the two parts is very well thought-through and I appreciate it a lot. The second part (Dataharvest) deepened the relations between the other participants of the programme and the participants of the previous years, and of course the chance to take part in that inspiring conference, which I couldn’t have afforded on my own. Thank you!" (Antonia, Germany)

"It's the best programme so far I have had a chance to participate in. Organizers did a brilliant job from selecting like-minded participants to shaping the program so it would turn out the best results. One of the biggest gifts was the opportunity to meet with peers from around the world, exchange contacts, learn from their experiences and do actual investigations with great support throughout the process. That is a fantastic experience with impact on our careers. Thank you for that!" (Migle, Lithuania)

Participants of ECJP 2022:

"I feel way more motivated now, after this program; I know more about cross-border collaborative journalism; I got to know amazing people with whom I definitely stay in touch in the future and with whom hopefully I can cooperate in the near future." (Zsófia Fülöp, Hungary)

"It [ECJP] gave me very valuable inputs on how to conduct investigation journalism and precious contacts with other like-minded colleagues. It would definitely improve my work." (Andrés Mourenza, Spain/Turkey)

"It has reinforced my desire to work on collaborative topics and has allowed me to start building a network of fellow journalists." (Víctor Martínez Maciá, Spain)

Participants of ECJP 2021 stated:

"ECJP has been such a source of inspiration for me and I’m still coming back to the insights I got during the programme every once in a while. Thank you very much for the enormous effort you’ve put to pull it all together." (Felicia Cretu, Moldavia)

"Thank you again for organising the programme. It was really inspiring and I had so much fun!" (Neus Vidal, Spain)

"It was a wonderful experience and one that I will remember. I found every single moment we spent together inspiring." (Gianluca Liva, Italy)

Participants of ECJP 2020 said:

"Everything was well communicated and clear, easy to follow, and throughout the program, it was easy to get all the information and help. All the experts and team members were super open and easy to communicate with." (Anna Romandash, Ukraine)

"I also appreciated the fact that each trainer stayed for a certain time with us, allowing us to approach them for individual advice. The individual advice sessions with Brigitte helped me understand key issues regarding the management of a small media organisation such as Átlátszó Erdély." (Zoltán Sipos, Romania)

"We are already working on a collaborative project and what I appreciate the most are all those wonderful contacts from several countries!" (Piret Reiljan, Estonia)

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025

Mit dem Europäischen Journalistenprogramm fördern Toepfer Stiftung und Arena for Journalism in Europe die Vernetzung und Zusammenarbeit von Journalist:innen aus ganz Europa.

Das Mediensystem steht unter dem Druck der digitalen Transformation. Dies beeinträchtigt die Qualität und Vielfalt der Medienlandschaft ebenso wie die Möglichkeiten für aufwändigeren und v.a. investigativen Journalismus. Zugleich steigt die Zahl grenzüberschreitend relevanter Themen an, so in den Bereichen Umwelt, Migration, organisierte Kriminalität oder Verbraucherschutz. Der kollaborative Journalismus bietet einen Weg, trotz schwindender Ressourcen vertiefte Recherchen zu ermöglichen und auch über Grenzen hinweg investigativ zu arbeiten.

Das Programm Im ECJP vermitteln Expertinnen und Experten Know-How, Methoden und Tools zum grenzüberschreitenden Journalismus. Die Teilnehmenden haben die Möglichkeit ein Recherchethema (weiter) zu entwickeln, sich zu vernetzen und intensiv über ihre jeweilige Arbeitspraxis auszutauschen und Feedback und Rat von Expert:innen und Peers zu erhalten.

Zielgruppe sind freie und feste Journalistinnen und Journalisten aller Mediengattungen aus ganz Europa mit ersten Erfahrungen oder großem Interesse am cross-border journalism.

ECJP 2025 ist beendet.

Termine 2026:

Teil 1: März 2026: Konferenzzentrum Gut Siggen, Ostsee

Teil 2: Spätes Frühjahr 2026: Folgetreffen bei Dataharvest 2026, Belgien

Weitere Informationen finden Sie in der Ausschreibung für dieses Jahr hier: Flyer ECJP 2025

Die Ausschreibung für 2026 wird im Herbst veröffentlicht.