In 2021, Internews launched the Journalist Security Fellowship. This program gathers fellows from Central and Southeastern European countries to upskill them in digital security and help them bolster the security of local journalist communities through targeted engagements.

Our first cohort of fellows represented six Central European countries. We are now proud to announce that we are expanding the program to three new countries: Albania, Bulgaria, and Croatia!

If you’re interested in journalists’ digital security and come from one of those three countries, then this is the ideal program for you! We plan to recruit 12 fellows in total, approximately 4 per country. Fellows do not need to be experts in digital security or journalism but should have an interest in both. We are particularly interested in recruiting underrepresented communities (such as applicants who identify as women, as LGBTQI+, or as members of ethnic minorities)!

During the 1+ year long fellowship, you’ll receive constant mentoring, support, and training materials from us. We will cover basic and advanced digital security, the risks regional media outlets might be facing, and much more! You’ll also be invited to three workshops — one to map regional journalists’ security needs, one on digital security concepts, and one on the security needs of marginalized communities. Following those workshops, you’ll receive a stipend to organize digital security trainings and knowledge sharing sessions in your region. 

We will also connect all our fellows with regional and international digital security, media, and digital freedom networks. Select fellows will get the chance to participate in the internet freedom community’s biggest conferences, such as RightsCon or the Internet Freedom Festival! Finally, we also have limited spots for some fellows to test out cutting-edge digital training techniques, including virtual reality and scenario-based teaching.

All you need to do to apply is fill out this form before March 11, 2022!

Internews is partnering with three local organizations during this next phase of the fellowship. If you have specific questions or concerns, please reach out to the partner organization in your country.

• Albania: Albania Media Institute – [email protected]
• Bulgaria: Association of European Journalists – Bulgaria – [email protected]
• Croatia: GONG – [email protected]

For all other inquires, please reach out to Internews at [email protected].