Applications are being accepted for the 2010 programme for Balkan journalists, 'Economic and Political Reporting from Southeast Europe' jointly run by Robert Bosch Stiftung and Thomson Reuters Foundation. The 4-week course is divided in two parts: London from 10 - 24 April and Frankfurt and Berlin from 20 September - 2 October.

The Balkan news media are increasingly required to report on complex economic, financial and political issues. Lacking the appropriate training, journalists are, however, underprepared to provide the public with an adequate coverage of economic and political transitional processes. To foster quality analysis and reporting on economic issues, enhance coverage on topics that are central to the region’s economic and political development and encourage regional networking among journalists, the Robert Bosch Stiftung and the Thomson Reuters Foundation initiated the programme 'Economic and Political Reporting from Southeast Europe'.

Requirements
Applicants must be able to speak English and be full-time professional journalists who have been working for at least two years with a recognised publication, website, radio or television station. Applicants must have a portfolio that includes experience in economic journalism or must otherwise demonstrate a strong interest in economic and political issues.

Applying journalists must be citizens of Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, or Slovenia. They must have permission from their employer to take part in the programme.

Programme
Each year, twelve to fifteen journalists from the Balkans are competitively chosen to participate in the programme, run by experienced ex-Reuters journalists. The programme includes two 10-day  courses in the UK (10-24 April) and in Germany (20 September-2 October).  Participants will also travel to Brussels and Berlin to meet policy-makers and journalists covering European financial and political affairs. 

The course will cover the following broader topics:
:: Writing about emerging market economies
:: Markets reporting and covering companies
:: Practical exercises based on current European themes.

Participants will commit to a short story project during the program. Fellows are encouraged to maintain contact and support new intakes through ReutersLink www.reuterslink.org and an alumni network.
 
The deadline for receipt of applications is 14 February 2010. To download an application form please click here. 

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