Call for Applications

2024 Journalism Mentorship Programme

The Ratiu Forum, a partnership between LSE IDEAS (London School of Economics) and the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation, is now accepting applications for the 2024 Journalism Mentorship Programme. Applications are open to ambitious, early-career young journalists from Romania and Moldova who wish to advance their professional skills and their understanding of the Central and East European region. One of the mentees will also be selected to attend the 2024 News Associates Summer School in London, UK.

The Programme will run from January to July 2024. Activities include online sessions and one in-person workshop, which will take place at Ratiu Conference Centre in Turda, Romania. The participants will have the opportunity to learn from seasoned journalists working for the Financial Times, BBC, New Eastern Europe Magazine, and the Associated Press, and from a range of prominent experts on cutting-edge topics relevant to the CEE region.

Application deadline: Friday, December 15th 2023, 11:59 pm

In order to apply for the Journalism Mentorship Programme, interested candidates should submit a cover letter, a CV, an article pitch, and a writing sample to maria.branea@ratiuforum.com

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2024 MENTORS

Adam Reichardt, New Eastern Europe
Alison Mutler, Universul.net
Dan Perry, Associated Press
Diana Oncioiu, Dela0
Emilia Sercan, University of Bucharest
Ovidiu Vanghele, Sa Fie Lumina
Adam Brown, Brightwire News
Luiza Vasiliu, Rise Project
Nick Thorpe, BBC News

More TBC

GOALS OF THE PROGRAMME

  • Stimulate skills development among early-career journalists through strategic sessions (online, one-on-one and in-person) on key competencies needed for professional journalism and investigative work, such as pitching, writing, and investigative skills
  • Introduce journalists to cutting-edge topics such as the war in Ukraine, propaganda and disinformation, gender politics, and the state of democracy in Eastern Europe
  • Support young journalists in producing journalistic content on issues of particular relevance to the CEE region

ACTIVITIES AND BENEFITS

  • Mentees will be invited to attend the in-person Ratiu Forum Journalism Master Class run by John Lloyd of the Financial Times
  • Online one-on-one mentoring sessions with highly accomplished regional and international journalists
  • Webinars focusing on skills development – e.g. identifying topics (scoops), researching, investigating, and pitching – and current-affairs issues
  • Participants will receive a certificate upon completing the programme
  • Selected work produced within the programme will be published on the Ratiu Forum blog

APPLICATION

  • Interested candidates should submit the following information to Maria Branea, maria.branea@ratiuforum.com in English:
  • A cover letter (no longer than 600 words) explaining their motivation to be part of the Programme, what they would like to achieve in terms of their personal and professional development, and the key issues which they would like to learn about, both with regards to journalistic skills and thematic topics
  • A short pitch for an article or podcast which would be completed as part of the Programme with the guidance of their mentor on any topic of their choic
  • A resume (not exceeding two pages) and a writing/podcast sample

ELIGIBILITY

The project is addressed to early career journalists from Romania and Moldova  – journalism students or young professionals with up to three years of journalism experience. Candidates must have a working knowledge of English.

SELECTION CRITERIA

The Ratiu Forum consider the following criteria when assessing applications:

  • Proven knowledge of and interest in current affairs, particularly in relation to the CEE region
  • Interest in understanding and documenting the world and also in developing both professionally and personally
  • Commitment to fully engage in the Programme and to make the most of the mentors’ knowledge and expertise

The selected mentees will be announced in December 2023.