Applications Open for Audience-Engaged Journalism Grants

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) is inviting registered media organisations from Balkan and Visegrad countries to apply for grants, mentoring, training, and digital tools to produce audience-engaged investigative journalism. The programme supports public-interest reporting, community participation, underreported issues, and collaborative investigations involving marginalised communities.

Overview of the BIRN Audience-Engaged Journalism Programme

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network is offering support to media organisations that want to produce investigative and in-depth stories through a community-centred reporting approach.

The programme encourages journalists and newsrooms to involve communities directly in the reporting process by gathering local knowledge, experiences, and perspectives to uncover overlooked public-interest issues.

Through financial support, mentoring, training, and digital tools, the initiative aims to strengthen relationships between media organisations and the communities they serve.

Purpose of the Programme

The programme aims to:

• Promote audience-engaged journalism.
• Strengthen investigative reporting capacity.
• Support community-driven storytelling.
• Highlight underreported public-interest issues.
• Increase participation of citizens in journalism.
• Improve representation of marginalised communities.
• Encourage collaboration between newsrooms across borders.

Audience-engaged journalism helps transform communities from passive audiences into active contributors to the reporting process.

Focus Areas

The programme supports investigative stories covering issues such as:

• Public-interest concerns.
• Social challenges affecting communities.
• Issues affecting underrepresented groups.
• Local and regional problems requiring deeper investigation.
• Topics overlooked by mainstream media.

Priority is given to reporting that includes voices from:

• Women.
• Young people.
• National and ethnic minorities.
• LGBTQ+ communities.
• Other marginalised groups.

What Is Audience-Engaged Journalism?

Audience-engaged journalism places communities at the centre of news production.

Through this approach, citizens can contribute:

• Personal experiences.
• Local knowledge.
• Evidence and information.
• Community perspectives.
• Ideas for investigation.

This process enables journalists to identify important issues, investigate hidden challenges, and create stories with stronger public relevance.

Grant Opportunities

The programme provides two types of grants.

Individual Investigative Journalism Grants

Media organisations can receive up to:

€4,700

These grants support investigative or in-depth stories addressing:

• Local issues.
• National concerns.
• Regional challenges.

Cross-Border Investigative Journalism Grants

Collaborative projects involving at least two media organisations can receive up to:

€9,400

These grants support cross-border investigations that examine shared issues across countries or communities.

Additional Support Provided

Selected media organisations will receive more than financial assistance.

Support includes:

• Training opportunities.
• Professional mentoring.
• Digital tools.
• Guidance on audience engagement methods.
• Support for investigative reporting development.

Eligible Countries

Applications are open to legally registered media organisations from:

• Albania.
• Bosnia and Herzegovina.
• Czech Republic.
• Hungary.
• Kosovo.
• Montenegro.
• North Macedonia.
• Poland.
• Serbia.
• Slovakia.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered media organisations.
• Have been registered as legal entities on or before January 1, 2024.
• Demonstrate commitment to independent journalism.
• Produce high-quality public-interest reporting.
• Submit an investigative or in-depth story proposal.
• Show how affected communities will participate in story development.

Eligible Applicants

The programme welcomes applications from:

• Independent media organisations.
• News outlets.
• Journalism organisations producing investigative content.

Applicants should demonstrate experience or commitment in:

• Investigative reporting.
• Community engagement.
• Public-interest journalism.
• Ethical reporting practices.

Project Requirements

Applicants must submit a story proposal explaining:

• The issue being investigated.
• Why the topic is important.
• The affected community involved.
• How citizens will contribute to the reporting process.
• The expected public impact of the story.

Strong proposals should show meaningful engagement rather than simply collecting information from communities.

Priority for Inclusive Reporting

The programme encourages projects that amplify voices that are often missing from public discussions.

Applications focusing on:

• Women’s experiences.
• Youth perspectives.
• Minority communities.
• LGBTQ+ issues.
• Socially excluded groups.

are particularly encouraged.

Benefits for Participating Media Organisations

Selected organisations can:

• Strengthen investigative reporting skills.
• Develop stronger connections with audiences.
• Access professional mentorship.
• Improve digital storytelling approaches.
• Produce impactful public-interest journalism.
• Build regional media partnerships.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their proposals by:

• Clearly identifying the public-interest issue.
• Explaining why the story is underreported.
• Showing meaningful community involvement.
• Highlighting investigative methods.
• Demonstrating potential social impact.
• Including plans for reaching affected audiences.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the BIRN Audience-Engaged Journalism Programme?

It is a grant and support programme that helps media organisations produce investigative journalism through active community participation.

Who can apply for the grants?

Legally registered media organisations from eligible Balkan and Visegrad countries can apply.

How much funding is available?

Individual investigative projects can receive up to €4,700, while cross-border projects involving multiple media organisations can receive up to €9,400.

What type of journalism does the programme support?

The programme supports investigative and in-depth reporting on public-interest issues, especially stories involving overlooked communities.

Are cross-border projects eligible?

Yes. Collaborative investigations involving at least two media organisations can apply for cross-border grants.

What communities are encouraged to be involved?

Projects involving women, young people, minorities, LGBTQ+ people, and other marginalised groups are strongly encouraged.

What does audience engagement mean in journalism?

Audience engagement means involving communities directly in reporting by allowing citizens to contribute information, experiences, and perspectives.

Conclusion

The Balkan Investigative Reporting Network Audience-Engaged Journalism Grants provide valuable support for media organisations seeking to produce impactful investigative stories with community participation at the centre. By combining funding, training, mentoring, and digital tools, the programme strengthens independent journalism and encourages reporting that highlights overlooked issues and amplifies underrepresented voices across the Balkan and Visegrad regions.