ECJP

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

The aim of ECJP is to explore the potential of collaboration and to encourage participants to collaborate. For this purpose, the programme is based on input provided by various experts as well as on work sessions during which you are asked to discuss in small groups topics you want to develop into an investigation. Whether they will end up in a finished story or remain in the state of elaboration is not decisive, the aim of the work sessions is to join hands on a topic of your interest and reflect on how you can adress it. The topics dont need to be ready made upon arrival, they usually are discussed and elaborated during the programme. Fireside lounge talks in the evening are meant to combine input by experts and informal debate with experts and peers in a sort of living room atmosphere.

The setting of ECJP can also be described as a sort of „mini conference“, but surely as a safe space where you can meet like-minded journalists to form lasting or more loose working relationships, discussing topics of mutual interest as well as exchanging on how to adress the challenges of your work. In turn, we assume that you are willing to fully engage with the programme, with your fellows and the experts and that you are committed to make this programme thrive. „Lets collaborate!“

The schedule, exemplarily, looks as follows:
Day 1: Welcome, intro to the programme, focus on getting to know each other, presenting your story ideas or topics of interests
Day 2: Input on terms, methods and tools of collaborative journalism, Work session 1, walk to the beach, Fireside lounge talk
Day 3: Work session 2, additional input on: „How to… research, coordinate, deal with encompassing data, pitch, protect your sources etc., Fireside lounge talk
Day 4: Pitching your story to experts/peers or developing a work plan how to continue, wrap up and preparing for Dataharvest 2023, feedback

Participants of ECJP 2024 said:

"It was a privilege to be part of this wonderful program. 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 said:

"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 program 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 program 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 program 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 said:

"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 said:

"ECJP has been such a source of inspiration for me and I’m still coming back to the insights I got during the program 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 program. 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)

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.

Termine 2025:

24-28 März 2025: Seminarzentrum Gut Siggen, Ostsee
22-25 Mai 2025: Folgetreffen während der Dataharvest Konferenz in Mechelen, Belgien

Die nächste Bewerbungsrunde startet Ende Oktober 2024.