Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Rest & Refuge Fellowship for Journalists now open
Since 2015, the taz Panter Foundation and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) have collaborated on an annual initiative called the Rest & Resilience Fellowship. The call for applications for this year is now open!
RSF is a global human rights group that works to protect press and information freedom across the globe. The taz Panter Foundation promotes independent initiatives’ social participation in Germany and around the world, as well as critical journalism, in close collaboration with the tageszeitung (taz).
For a maximum of six months, RSF extends an invitation to two journalists from nations where press and information freedom is restricted to Berlin. The media professionals take time off from their regular responsibilities throughout their stay in order to recuperate from their demanding work environments and broaden their horizons both personally and professionally. After the six months are up, the fellows head back to their home nations with a revitalized sense of purpose and a new outlook on journalism.
Participants are free to entirely disengage from public life if they so want. However, participation in the many seminars offered by the fellowships is highly recommended as they provide as a means of networking and additional training. Apart from that, staying in Berlin provides the chance to meet German editorial offices, exchange with foreign journalists, learn German language classes, and, if needed, receive individual psychosocial treatment.
Prerequisites
Journalists from nations with restricted press and information freedom are eligible to apply for the Rest & Resilience Fellowship. The candidate is certain of how the six-month fellowship in Berlin will improve their existing circumstances.
Note: The fellowship is intended to be utilized for professional and/or personal growth; the recipient journalist can return home with renewed perspective and vigor.
many years of experience working as a journalist for a living.
Note that while we much value the work that human rights activists perform, we are unable to extend an invitation to non-professional journalists because they are not within the purview of RSF.
Individual threat profile as a result of journalistic job or challenging working circumstances brought on by outside variables.
Demonstrated proficiency in the English language. The candidates need to have good communication skills in a formal setting.
a passport that can be independently renewed or reapplied for, and that is valid for at least a year at the time of application.
A level of health that allows for extended travel and a six-month stay in the host nation, together with enough autonomy to do daily tasks independently in an unfamiliar environment.
Capacity and readiness to return to one’s home nation following the fellowship.
Please take notice that applications from journalists who are unable to return home because of political unrest or personal threats will regrettably not be taken into consideration throughout the application process. This is primarily because German authorities will not grant a visa if there is no way for the applicant to return.
Advantages
Visa and airfare expenses
Berlin furnished apartment
Health insurance for travel throughout the six-month stay in Berlin
A grant of €1,000 per monthpsychological assistance
Workshops (such as those on stress management and digital safety training)
Opportunities for personal training or for working as a professional journalist
Application Time Frame
The maximum length of stay in Berlin is six months. The fellowships are expected to run from May 1st, 2024, to October 31st, 2024.
Application Conditions
The following files must be included with your application:
the application, duly filled out and signed.
a scan of your passport, which is good for an additional year or can be renewed on its own.
Your tabular curriculum vitae (CV).
A one to two page motivation letter outlining your reasons for applying to the Rest & Resilience Fellowship. Please list the precise elements that impede or jeopardize your particular working environment. Kindly indicate how you want to utilize your time in Berlin and how it will benefit your future employment in your native country.
Kindly forward the filled-out application form together with any other needed documentation to [email protected] in PDF format. For Further Details: Visit the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Rest & Refuge Fellowship 2024 Official Website. Deadline: November 20th, 2023, at 11:59pm
