Media Resilience Lab 2026
The 2026 training programme covers investigative fundamentals, OSINT, data journalism, fact-checking, storytelling, digital security, and video reporting—co-designed and delivered by all three partner organisations.
At the end of the online programme, participants will pitch their projects and can apply for a fellowship to continue research and publish their reports, investigations, video reports or other media projects. Selected participants will receive a fellowship grant of up to €1,500 to implement their project with mentorship and editorial support. All participants who complete the online programme are invited to participate in the next modules of the Media Resilience Lab in 2027: trainings on cross-border journalism and to apply for the in-person Summer School for Collaborative Journalism in 2027.
Journalism in Russia and in exile
Novaya Gazeta Europe will present current challenges and opportunities for independent journalists working inside Russia and in exile. The session will offer insights into their editorial work, reporting under restriction, and collaboration with freelance journalists.
TrainerMaria Epifanova, head of Novaya Gazeta Europe
Online, In Russian
Covering Belarus Today
In this introductory workshop, the Belarusian Investigative Center will share its investigative methods, recent publications, and approaches to collaboration, with a focus on security challenges in the Belarusian context, including surveillance, source protection, and legal risks for journalists working inside the country.
TrainerInvestigative journalist at BIC
Online, In Russian
Azerbaijan in Focus
Qazetci will present its work, the Azerbaijani media landscape, and opportunities for collaboration, with a focus on security challenges such as digital surveillance, device security, and risks for journalists working inside the country.
Trainer Leyla Mustafayeva, editor-in-chief of Qazetci
Online, In Azerbaijani
During the programme participants also work individually with their assigned mentors on project development. Consultations by appointment.
FOUNDATION
90-minute interactive workshop. The fundamentals of investigative journalism: what qualifies as an investigation, core methodology, and how to develop a hypothesis.
TrainerJournalist from the Belarusian Investigative Center
Online, In Russian
FOUNDATION
Working with open-source data: flight trackers, corporate registries, satellite imagery, and regional databases.
TrainerJournalist from the Belarusian Investigative Center
Online, In Russian
FOUNDATION
What journalists need before working with data: cleaning, structuring, analysis, and working with large databases.
TrainerArnold Khachaturov, head of data department (NGE)
Online, In Russian
FOUNDATION
Methods and tools for verifying information when state access to data is restricted.
TrainerSpeaker TBC
Online
FOUNDATION
How to build a long-form narrative: structure, character, scene, and working with an editor from draft to publication.
TrainerAleksandr Gorbachev, editor (NGE)
Online, In Russian
FOUNDATION
Producing video investigations and multimedia content for broad reach. Scheduled if sufficient demand from participants.
TrainerGleb Belichenko, editor (NGE)
Online, In Russian
TRAINING
How to pitch an investigative story: structuring a compelling pitch, presentation tips, working with editors. Output: story pitch + presentation.
TrainerSergey Medvedev, director (jinn)
Online, In English or Russian
PITCHES
Participants pitch their investigative projects to a panel of editors and mentors from all partner organisations. Session with breakout rooms. Selected projects receive a fellowship grant of up to €1,500.
Online, In English or Russian
Deadline
August 16, 2026, 23:59 CET
Selection
Applications are reviewed and verified by the partner organisation from the applicant’s country.
Due to in-country and transnational repression by the authorities of the target regions, all trainings and events of the Media Resilience Lab are by registration only. Jinn and partner organisations will review and verify all applicants and provide high security standards for trainings, consultations, and communication with participants. Further details on participation rules and security protocols will be provided upon registration.
Sessions are delivered in Russian, Azerbaijani, or English depending on the module and trainer. Find language details in the description of every training.
Participants who complete the 2026 online programme are eligible to continue in 2027. The second year of the Media Resilience Lab includes:
Online training on cross-border investigations in spring 2027.
A six-day in-person event in June 2027.
Early-career journalists and media workers from Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Russia—in-country or in exile; no prior investigative experience required
Journalists from other Eastern Partnership countries collaborating with displaced newsrooms or reporting across borders are also welcome to apply
With financial support by the German Federal Foreign Office
Do you have any other questions?
Contact us by email team@jinn-media.org or via this form.
