The ECPMF’s Journalists-in-Residence Programme: Providing a safe haven for journalists at risk

The ECPMF's Journalists-in-Residence (JiR) programme is a temporary shelter for journalists who face harassment and intimidation as a direct result of their work. Since 2016 we supported 12 journalists from Albania, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Malta, Romania, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine with a scholarship from up to six months in Leipzig.

The programme is characterised by its ongoing personal support by our JiR programme manager, who designs a customized JiR-stay according to the individual circumstances and needs of every single fellow.

What does the JiR programme provide?

safe and discreet place to continue investigating and publishing, to rest and to recover (max. 6 months)
rent-free, furnished apartment in Leipzig
health insurance and psychological support (optional)
monthly grant of 1,000 euros
travel expenses to and from Leipzig (arrival and departure)
participation in journalism-related trainings and networking opportunities

Requirements:

legal residence in a member state of the Council of Europe
documented journalistic work
documented immediate threat situation and lack of local support opportunities
verifiable English or German language skills (at least B2-level)

Calls for application are announced on ecpmf.eu and the ECPMF’s social media once/twice a year and are also disseminated throughout the Centre’s European network.

In addition to our common JiR programme, we established a fast-track-modus and provide 3-5 JiR-fellowships extra until March 2020. The selection is based on recommendations of verified and appropriate cases by our German and international partner organisations with comparable programmes.

Please note that there is no possibility to apply for these fast-track-stipends directly as a journalist under threat.

Register your interest in advance

If you wish to be notified once a new call has been released, please send your name and preferred email address to journalistsinresidence@ecpmf.eu or to the postal address indicated below. All personal information will be treated as strictly confidential.