Aligning national policies with EU legislation and climate targets is more than a technical requirement of the EU accession process — it is a transformation that touches economies, labour markets, and everyday life across the region.

 

Taking place on 16–18 September 2026 in Podgorica and Žabljak, Montenegro, this three-day regional training equips journalists to move beyond technical coverage of the energy transition and wider implementation of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans (GAWB), toward engaging stories that address the societal impact of the energy transition processes.

 

The training programme combines solutions-journalism methodology, thematic expert input on renewable energy transition, climate adaptation and (waste) water management, hands-on work on identifying and countering climate mis-/disinformation, and structured support to develop and pitch concrete story ideas. It enables practical journalism training, thematic expert input, peer exchange and field reporting connected to the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting in Žabljak, on the final day of the training. 

 

All participation costs will be covered by the organizers. 

 

Training programme is available here.

 

 

• A stronger understanding of the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, EU alignment and national commitments, as well as relevant institutions, stakeholders and credible sources; 

• Thematic knowledge of renewable energy transition, climate adaptation, and (waste) water management; 

• Hands-on training in solutions-journalism principles applied to climate and energy reporting;

• Support to develop a concrete story pitch, with peer and trainer feedback;

• A regional network of journalists working on the same beat, and space to explore cross-border collaboration;

• Access to GAWB Ministerial Meeting 

 

 

This call is open to journalists based in the Western Balkans 6 (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia), who meet the following requirements:

 

• Working journalist — employed, contracted, or a regular freelance contributor — with an active media outlet in Western Balkans 6;

• At least 3 years of professional newsroom experience (this training does not cover basic journalism skills and builds on existing reporting practice);

• Has working proficiency in English, the language of the training;

• Able to attend all three days in full, including the Ministerial Meeting taking place in Žabljak on Day III;

• Beyond these baseline requirements, the training is designed for journalists whose beat covers — or could credibly extend to — environment, energy, economy, or EU-integration topics, and who can show:

• A genuine, specific interest in energy transition, climate, and Green Agenda reporting, including openness to the solutions-journalism approach;

• Editorial backing for participation in the training; 

• A willingness to produce at least one pitch or story on the training's core themes following the training.

 

Applications are also considered with an eye to a balanced group: representation across all six Western Balkan countries, a gender-balanced cohort, and a mix of print, broadcast, online, and freelance backgrounds, as well as national and local outlets.

 

 

Please fill in the application form and send via email prijave@media.ba by August 24, 2026, along with the following documents:

 

 

Applications will be reviewed by a selection panel against criteria including professional profile, motivation, editorial backing and the need for balanced representation across the region, gender, and media type. As places are limited, not all applicants who meet the eligibility requirements can be selected. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by August 31, 2026. 

 

 

Travel, accommodation, and meals for selected participants for the duration of the training will be covered by the organisers. Further logistical information will be provided directly to selected participants.

 

 

The programme is organised by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in the framework of the Regional Climate Partnership between Germany and the Western Balkans, facilitated by Mediacentar Sarajevo, with workshops and additional training input provided by Clean Energy Wire. 

 

We look forward to receiving your application.