For a week — July 1-8, 2024 — young people enrolled as a high school student in Bulgaria before May 31, 2024 from across the country will not just have fun but also walk in the shoes of real reporters and search for the most interesting stories.
The sCOOL Media Summer Bootcamp will again offer up to 20 high school students with a strong interest in journalism the chance to participate in this all-star team. Bootcamp alumni are among the best young journalists in Bulgaria and work for prominent publications.
Some of the best Bulgarian and foreign journalists will join the Bootcamp to mentor the participants while they complete their own reporting projects. To participate fully, you must be fluent in English, as that’s the working language of the camp. The organizers, the Association of European Journalists in partnership with the Bulgarian-American Fulbright Commission and the America for Bulgaria Foundation, will cover all travel and accommodation costs.
If you would like to take part in the camp, you need to send a journalistic story in English by April 15, 2024. Consider and report on the following topic: Global Challenges, Local Impacts: How Global Issues Affect Your Community.
You can send your story in any format: text, audio, video, or multimedia.
Selection criteria:
- Talk to at least two original sources.
- Provide a list of sources used in the story.
- Include a brief summary of your reporting process.
In choosing the winners, the judges will consider:
- Topic relevance
- Style of storytelling
- Story structure (Here are some tips on how to write a news story)
- Good use of quotes/clips
- Human interest potential
- News-worthiness
- Interview techniques
- The range and variety of stories submitted
A member of the jury will get in touch with the shortlisted candidates to arrange a time for a brief interview in English.
Winners will receive:
- the opportunity to participate in a week-long summer camp, free of charge
- the chance to meet and learn from prominent foreign and Bulgarian journalists with extensive experience in the field of media
- the option to publish stories in Bulgarian and English on sCOOL Media’s website
- ongoing mentorship and guidance from experienced editors
- a place on sCOOL Media’s editorial team at the end of the summer camp, and the chance to further improve reporting skills
- membership in the Summer Bootcamp alumni network.
The winners will be announced in June 2024.
Step-by-step instructions on how to apply and a link to the applications form ar available HERE.
If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].
