The Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans Program opens a first call for the International mobility grants for media professionals affiliated with Western Balkan Public Service Media (PSM).

Through the International mobility grants, media professionals from Western Balkan PSMs that signed a memorandum of understanding[1] with Goethe-Institut and DW Akademie will have the chance to participate in a job-shadowing program with either the EU or Western Balkan PSMs, reputable media institutes, media training centres, etc.

The primary aim of these grants is to enhance professional abilities of PSMs media professionals in the Western Balkans regarding contemporary EU journalistic standards and practices.

Only media professionals currently employed by the Western Balkan PSMs (whether on a freelance or regular working contract) are eligible to apply.

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Mid-carrier and young media professionals (at least more than 1 year of relevant work experience);
• Media professionals involved in the process of content/programme production/creation/improvement/development within the Western Balkan PSMs;
• Have a formal professional relationship with a Western Balkan PSM (regular work contract or freelance) that signed a memorandum of understanding with Goethe-Institut and DW Akademie.  

The International mobility grants have a total budget of EUR 120,000, which will be distributed across two calls for proposals. The maximum grant amount per recipient is EUR 5,000. In the first call, twelve (12) grants will be awarded. Subsequently, an additional twelve (12) grants will be awarded in the second call, twenty-four (24) grants in total.

Applicants can apply for International mobility grants, with mobility lasting minimum seven (7) calendar days, maximum thirty (30) calendar days.

This call is open until August 30, 2024, 23:59 CET. Applicants must submit their project ideas via Goethe Application Portal (GAP). If you experience any technical difficulties during the submission process, please contact IMM Program team. IMM Program contact person: Dajana Celebic, dajana.celebic@goethe.de.

Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to the Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans Program, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie.

Focusing on public service broadcasters, the Program aims to enhance content and engage audiences. Implemented from 2023 to 2026, Program’s estimated results include improved management skills, internal structures, workflows of PSMs, enhanced programming and public interest content. Media professionals are expected to improve their skills and innovation techniques, while special focus is given to young journalists, multipliers and trainers, quality journalism and audience involvement. The Program also aims to enhance engagement, expand cooperation and networking capacity of public service media (PSM).

More information about the call and accompanying documents can be found here:

https://www.goethe.de/ins/gr/de/kul/eup/imm/cfs.html

[1] The following Western Balkan PSMs signed the MoU: Radio and Television of Kosovo*, Radio Televizija Crne Gore, Radio Televizija Srbije, Radio Televizija Vojvodine, Radio Televizioni Shqiptar, Radiotelevizija Bosne i Hercegovine, Radio-televizija Federacije Bosne i Hercegovine.

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999.