Deadline: 3-Jul-22
The International Training Programme (ITP) Media is currently inviting applications for the 2022 Media Development in a Democratic Framework – Eastern Europe to provide a forum and platform for constructive, creative dialogue between high-level representatives from media, government and civil society on how to improve self-regulatory and regulatory frameworks for media.
The overall objective of this programme is that the participants and their supporting organisations should contribute to the promotion and protection of the institutional frameworks that govern self-regulation of the media sector.
Benefits
At the end of the training programme, participating individuals and organisations shall have obtained:
- Increased knowledge about media and freedom of expression in relation to media policy, journalism and self-regulation of the media sector.
- Extended professional national, regional, and international networks.
- Greater awareness of human rights, gender equality and security for journalists and other media actors.
- Increased knowledge and capacity to initiate structured, long-term transformational work within and outside the respective organisations.
Phases
The training programme consists of fete compulsory phases. It is a mix of online training, interaction and physical meetings in the participants’ home countries, a country in the region and Sweden. The evolution of the Change Initiative is the golden thread weaving through all phases.
- Phase 1 – Inception (4 months) Country teams are established and meet for a stan-up seminar in their respective countries. During this seminar, the participants establish a conunon understanding of the challenges in their country and the overall theory of change. The programme then starts with a compulsory course with six introductory modules, with the purpose of providing a common understanding and knowledge base to build on. The introductory modules cover the following topics:
- change management;
- media and freedom of expression with a focus on human rights and democracy;
- media politics in a changing media landscape;
- ethics, professional roles, business and sustainahility;
- media regulatory framework and sell regulator institutions; and
- gender and media in relation to media regulation.
- Phase 2 – visa to Sweden (2 weeks) During their stay in Sweden, participants will have the opportunity to meet colleagues from other countries for joint interactive discussions, study visits and skiffs development exercises covering all six priority areas. It is expected that during this phase all program participants will be able to share their experiences and knowledge with their counterparts from other countries.
- Phase 3 – Project Development – Duration 5 months At this stage, the implementation of the Change initiatives will begin, individual points will be adjusted and additional discussion of the nuances will be carried out. It is expected that events will differ depending on the composition of participants, organizations and host countries.
- Phase 4 – regional seminar in one of the participating countries – duration 2 weeks At this stage, the participants exchange experience in the implementation of their Change initiatives, and, if necessary, finalize and adjust their action plans. Expert help and group discussions, as well as support from national coordinators, will help move the process forward.
- Phase 5 – implementation in practice – duration 5 months Participants work on their Change initiatives in collaboration with colleagues, leaders and/or other stakeholders, with ongoing support from mentors. By the end of this phase participants will organize a national workshop, where they will present ready-made Change initiatives and discuss further actions.
Eligible Countries: Armenia, Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia.
Eligibility Criteria
- The programme targets individuals who can promote stand-ards and self-regulation of the media sector in their respective countries in different waays. The programme management will identify strategically important participants from the media sector, such as media councils, judicial institutions, independent freedom of speech organisations, policy institutions, relevant ministries, parliamentary committees, and independent media outlets.
- Although it focuses on individuals, the programme primarily targets organisations, and efforts are made to establish long-term relationships with the key organisations involved. Such collaborative organisations should be willing to commit themselves to participation over several years and be ready to cooperate with other organisations in the programme, even though they may have different opinions on regulatory frameworks. Capacity and interest to drive processes to achieve long-term goals is a prerequisite to becoming a collaborative organisation.
- Applicants to the programme should:
- hold a key position in their organisation, with influence on a strategic level.
- have the drive and power to initiate and drive change processes.
- be proficient in Russian and English
- hold a relevant academic degree
- be available and motivated for active participation through the whole training programme.
For more information, visit https://itpmedia.se/itp-application/