Journalists-in-Residence Germany

Support for journalists under threat

— Providing a safe haven in Leipzig for journalists at risk

ECPMF’s Journalists-in-Residence (JiR) programme offers temporary shelter for journalists facing harassment and intimidation as a direct result of their work. Journalists get the chance to rest and recuperate in a safe and discreet place, and also to continue their investigative work at their own pace and use their time in Leipzig for networking and finding solidarity. The JiR programme lasts for either three or up to six months, and includes a rent-free furnished apartment in Leipzig, as well as a monthly stipend to cover basic living costs. It also covers visa expenses, health insurance, and digital security training. Based on individual needs, the programme can also cover travel costs, psychological counselling, and other journalism-related training sessions on topics like mobile reporting and social media management.

As of 2022, we also offer JiR fellowships for Ukrainian journalists in Kosovo. More information about JiR Kosovo can be found here.

What can the JiR programme provide?

• safe and discreet place to continue investigating and publishing, to rest and to recover (max. 6 months)
• rent-free, furnished apartment in Leipzig
• health insurance
• psychological counselling (optional)
• monthly stipend of 1,000 euros
• travel expenses to and from Leipzig (arrival and departure)
• visa costs
• participation in journalism-related trainings
• networking opportunities
• a workplace in the ECPMF office and the opportunity to work (pro bono) with ECPMF’s press team on self-selected subjects

Eligibility criteria

In order to participate in the JiR programme you should: 

• Be a legal resident in a European Union member state or candidate country, a member state of the Council of Europe, or a resident of Belarus or Russia
• Hold a valid passport
• Provide at least two references from reputable human rights or media organisations confirming at least 3 years of journalistic work and the threat situation faced as a result of their journalistic activity 
• Have verifiable English, German, or Russian language skills (at least A2-level)

How to apply

In order to apply for the JiR Programme, please send the following documents to journalistsinresidence@ecpmf.eu along with:

• A completed JiR Application Form
• A completed JiR Questionnaire
• Your CV 
• The two aforementioned reference letters
• ID Documents

After a comprehensive review process, the selected fellows will be invited to Leipzig for the Journalists-in-Residence Programme.

Information for international temporary relocation institutions:

ECPMF takes over appropriate cases of media professionals at risk that have already been fact-checked by its network partners and provide relocation fellowships in Leipzig to enable a swift reaction to urgent cases. For this purpose, please get in contact with the JiR Programme Manager at journalistsinresidence@ecpmf.eu

JiR Alumni 

Explore the JiR Alumni Gallery >

Journalists-in-Residence Kosovo

The JiR Kosovo Programme is financed by the Government of Republic of Kosovo and enables 20 individual Ukrainian journalists and media workers to relocate to Kosovo for a period of up to six months with the possibility of extension depending on the developments in Ukraine. Journalists arriving in Kosovo will have the status of internationally protected individuals.

To be eligible, journalists and media workers must have lived in Ukraine in 2022, hold a valid Ukrainian passport, have been working as professional journalists for at least three years, and speak at least basic English.

Successful candidates are provided with 1,000 euro for relocation, a monthly stipend of 500 euro, and 300 euro for rent. They will have access to an office space, to health insurance, and to language and integration courses. Upon request, the candidates will have access to psychological support.

To apply, please send the following documents to journalistsinresidence@ecpmf.eu:

1. Application form and questionnaire
2. CV
3. Copy of passport
4. Reference letter from the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine (NUJU) or the Independent Media Trade Union of Ukraine (IMTUU)