- Applications are now open for the 2027 edition of our summer international reporting course!
Embark on an adventure this summer through the charming streets of Prague, where centuries of history converge with modern-day intrigue. Join us in July for our annual “Going on Assignment” course, offering an excellent opportunity to learn from seasoned correspondents about international reporting and hone your craft.
This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to broaden their professional and journalism skills while gaining invaluable experience abroad. Students will have the opportunity to learn from media professionals who have worked for Reuters, The Financial Time, Bloomberg, The Observer, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and other local media outlets and gain hands-on experience multimedia reporting and writing in the field.
Under the guidance of Michael T. Martinez, a professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and Jeremy Druker, the editor-in-chief of Transitions, you’ll delve deep into the art of storytelling amid the fascinating historical and political landscape of Central Europe.
Since 2005, our course has worked with hundreds of people from across the globe to teach them the critical skills needed to work in the journalism industry and produce ethical and excellent work. Many of our alumni have published their work in Transitions (our online news magazine), local news outlets, and their universities’ publications.
If you don’t have experience reporting or writing, don’t worry. Our team will provide hands-on support throughout the entire course, offering advice on story structuring, source procurement, and multimedia integration. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced journalist, our comprehensive coaching will equip you with the tools needed to excel in today’s media landscape.
By the end of the 15 days, you’ll not only leave with a compelling piece of foreign reporting but also an understanding of the evolving role of journalism in Central Europe.
Location: Prague, Czech Republic
“We’ve tried to design a course to introduce anyone interested in foreign reporting about what it really is like to be a foreign correspondent. Part of the course is hearing lecturers about their experiences and giving tips on how to do a story once you hit the ground, but a big part of the course is having participants do their own stories, so they get a real taste of foreign reporting.”
Jeremy Druker, Co-founder and Executive director of Transitions.
Find out more, watch our video and sign up here. - Reimagining Media Literacy at the POINT Conference
How can media literacy move beyond fact-checking to help people navigate today’s increasingly complex information environment? That was the focus of a panel discussion in mid-June at the POINT Conference in Sarajevo, one of Southeast Europe’s leading gatherings on democracy, technology, and civic engagement.
Transitions Executive Director Jeremy Druker joined experts from Estonia, Lithuania, and Lebanon/France to discuss how media literacy initiatives can better engage communities, build resilience, and become guides through the crowded and sometimes treacherous information space. The discussion explored approaches ranging from game-based learning and AI-powered educational tools to solutions journalism and “future literacy,” emphasizing the need to move beyond fear-based messaging and toward empowering citizens to engage constructively with their communities.
Jeremy argued that media literacy initiatives should avoid reinforcing fear and instead focus on constructive engagement. “We don’t want to do even more harm,” he said at the panel. “We try to design our programs based less on the threat and more on offering people hopeful alternatives.”
As Transitions continues to expand its media literacy work across Central and Southeastern Europe, the conference provided an opportunity to share lessons from our training programs while learning from innovative initiatives across the region. It was also a chance to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Zasto ne, the conference organizer. Originally established as a youth peace organization with the aim of working on the demilitarization of Bosnian society and establishing the right to conscientious objection in the country, the organization has grown into one of the region’s leaders in using civic tech to fight for government accountability. - AI, Media Literacy & Strategic Communication Course for Civil Society Representatives
In the first week of June, Transitions held a six-day training course in Prague for Polish civil society representatives, including NGO staff, volunteers, and students from Universities of the 3rd Age. Most participants work directly with vulnerable citizens in their local communities and towns across Poland.
The program focused on strengthening participants’ skills in digital communication, media literacy, artificial intelligence tools, and countering disinformation. Through interactive workshops led by senior digital literacy manager Kateřina Lukaničová, participants learned practical approaches to social media management, storytelling, and the use of AI tools such as Gemini, Canva, and NotebookLM to support their daily work.
“What made this training especially inspiring for me was the diversity of the group. Participants brought together different generations, experiences and perspectives, creating a space where learning flowed both ways. While I shared practical approaches to building a safe and effective AI-powered work ecosystem, I also gained valuable insights from the participants themselves. The exchange of ideas, questions and real-life experiences made the whole programme richer for everyone involved.” — Kateřina Lukaničová
Participants also developed their media literacy skills with advanced training in methods for identifying disinformation, deepfakes, and AI-generated content, while gaining a better understanding of social media algorithms and fact-checking techniques.
As part of the study visits, participants visited the major Czech news outlet Seznam.cz, where they met media professionals and toured the Radio Expres FM studio and the Seznam newsroom, gaining valuable insight into Czech society, digital media operations, and innovation in the media sector. A further visit to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty introduced participants to the organization’s history, mission, and the important role of independent media in promoting democratic values and countering disinformation.
The training concluded with sessions led by Transitions Director Jeremy Druker on solutions journalism and practical methods for addressing disinformation. Overall, the course equipped participants with new tools and knowledge to communicate more effectively, strengthen community resilience, and better support vulnerable groups in their local communities.
- Older Adults, the EU, and Media Literacy: A Conversation Worth Watching Live
How do we better protect and empower older adults in today’s information environment? That is the question at the centre of our upcoming forum in Brussels, and we want you in the conversation.
On June 25, Transitions joins European partners at an event bringing together MEPs, civil society organisations, researchers, and media professionals to discuss media literacy for older adults across Europe. Transitions’ Katka Lukanicova will speak on the panel “Media Literacy for Ageing Societies: Challenges and Solutions for Europe.”
The event is hybrid, and online attendance is free. Wherever you are, you can follow the morning programme live (10:00 to 13:00 CET). If you happen to be in Brussels, join us in person at Press Club Brussels Europe (Rue Froissart 95).
Register to join online or in person!
- A Multi-Stakeholder Data-Driven Journalism Initiative for Democratic Resilience.
Over two days in Prague April 29-30, we officially kicked off our project, Rebuilding Trust: A Multi-Stakeholder Data-Driven Journalism Initiative for Democratic Resilience. Journalists, researchers, academics, civil society actors, librarians, data practitioners, and representatives of vulnerable communities, including senior citizens, came together around a shared challenge: how do we strengthen information resilience in a fragmented, fast-changing information environment? Participants mapped the challenges facing newsrooms and communities today, and began shaping responses together, from data-driven solutions journalism to new forms of collaboration across sectors.The event also brought a strong focus on local media and how to build resilience among vulnerable communities by grounding the conversations in real-world practice and impact.
We also explored one of the defining issues of our time: artificial intelligence. Not through a lens of fear or hype, but through deeper reflection and practical engagement:
- What does AI mean for our understanding of what it is to be human?
- How can citizens, not just tech experts, engage with and shape AI systems?
- What does it take to make AI work for society, not just around it?
This is just the beginning. Over the coming months, this diverse group will continue working together to co-create, test, and refine approaches that strengthen democratic and information resilience across Europe. The event was made possible through the general support of Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland.
- 🇺🇦 Solutions Journalism in Conversation at Lviv Media Forum
Meenal Thakur, Transitions’ Solutions Journalism program manager (left) at the Lviv Media Forum.
May 14 – 16, Transitions joined the Lviv Media Forum in Ukraine for conversations on journalism, recovery, and reporting in conflict-affected societies. During the forum, our solutions journalism program manager shared insights and practical examples from our solutions journalism and depolarizing reporting programs across Europe, and especially in Ukraine, exploring how these approaches can help journalists report on difficult and divisive issues with more depth, nuance, and public relevance.
The discussion focused on how newsrooms can move beyond problem-focused coverage while maintaining journalistic rigor: reporting on responses to urgent social challenges and the trade-offs and limitations that come with them, and reflecting complexity without overwhelming audiences. We also discussed how constructive and solutions-oriented reporting can strengthen audience engagement and trust by focusing on the questions communities are asking, and by creating space for deeper understanding in polarized or fast-changing contexts.
Ukraine has been an important focus of collaboration for Transitions, and we’ve worked closely with Ukrainian journalists and newsrooms through training, partnerships, and our ongoing solutions journalism reporting. We continue to publish stories from Ukraine on our SoJo Magazine, highlighting responses, recovery efforts, and the lived realities shaping communities across the country.
👉 Explore our latest stories from Ukraine on our SoJo Magazine
- A Sprint Toward the Finish Line!
As we approach the final chapter of the Level-Up project, which is set to conclude this October, we wanted to take a moment to share some incredible milestones and extend a huge thank you to everyone involved.
The past month has been nothing short of a whirlwind. Our small but mighty team of four instructors achieved some truly impressive numbers:
• 38 training sessions completed
• 28 different cities visited
• 544 seniors successfully trained
Quality Meets Impact
While the quantity is impressive, it’s the quality that truly shines. We know the schedule was demanding, but the effort paid off. Feedback from participating libraries has been overwhelmingly positive. Partners highlighted the practical utility of the sessions and, most importantly, the kind and professional approach of our instructors.
Looking Toward the Future
Even though we couldn’t fulfill every single request this time around, the project has opened vital doors. We have built a strong network of contacts and established wonderful collaborations with libraries that will serve as a foundation for our future initiatives. We now know exactly who to reach out to for the next big thing!
A massive thank you to our instructors and partners for your dedication. Let’s make these final months count—stay tuned for more exciting events and updates coming your way before October!
- Launching CADiDE: Building a Stronger, More Inclusive Response to Disinformation
Almost a month ago, we met in Barcelona with partners of the CADiDE project (Senior Citizens Against Disinformation and Stereotypes for a Democratic and Diverse Europe), which aims to empower older adults (65+) to play an active role in countering disinformation and strengthening democratic values. The two-year project, co-funded by the European Union under the CERV programme, brings together organizations from Spain, the Czech Republic, and Italy to educate, mobilize, and engage seniors as community actors.
During the two-day meeting, partners aligned on the project’s goals, timeline, and key activities. Beyond planning, the discussions focused on sharing experiences and identifying potential risks—an essential step for effective cross-country collaboration. A highlight of the meeting was a focus group with senior participants, which provided valuable insights into their real-life experiences with disinformation and stereotypes.
The meeting also created space to connect different approaches—from fact-checking to emotional storytelling and the Antirumours methodology—laying the groundwork for a shared methodology. Bringing the consortium together in person at the start of the project proved crucial for building trust, establishing a common understanding, and setting up strong cooperation for the months ahead.
If your organization is interested in the topic or would like to learn more about the project, feel free to get in touch with the project coordinator at katerina.lukanicova@tol.org.
- Testing on the road
In recent months, we have been testing components of the LEVEL UP media literacy game with senior players across the Czech Republic, travelling to libraries and community centres for approximately forty sessions with partners. The feedback from real players is directly shaping an intensive revision of the full materials package, covering everything from individual game mechanics to the supporting resources for trainers and partner organisations. The goal is a programme that is both sharper in its educational impact and easier for partners to run independently.
- Rebuilding Trust
A Multi-Stakeholder Data-Driven Journalism Initiative for Democratic Resilience
The project that brings together journalists, communities, civil society, and data experts to strengthen democratic resilience through collaboration, data literacy, and solutions-oriented journalism.
Across Europe, many people are navigating an information environment shaped by disinformation, polarization, and increasingly opaque data and AI systems. At the same time, many citizens, especially seniors, rural communities, and other underrepresented groups, feel excluded from conversations about systems that increasingly affect their daily lives. Rebuilding Trust responds to these challenges by creating shared spaces where journalists work across sectors to produce data-driven, evidence-based, solutions-focused journalism that informs public debate and policy discussions. The project also supports citizens in building the confidence and skills to engage critically with media, data, and AI, and to participate more actively in democratic life.
Funder: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of Switzerland
- Reinventing election coverage in Hungary
Can election coverage be more than just horse-race journalism? We believe so – and so does ALAP, a youth-led independent newsroom from Hungary.
We’ve partnered with ALAP to support their journalists in creating election coverage that truly serves their audience. We met in Budapest and discussed the importance of actively listening to what people care about and how to report on key issues through a solutions lens.
With Hungary’s parliamentary elections coming up on 12 April in a highly polarized media environment, this kind of reporting matters more than ever. Instead of focusing only on polls, tactics, and political clashes, the goal is to bring attention to policies, real challenges, and possible ways forward. And ALAP’s audience already showed great interest in the solutions-driven approach. The team received more than 350 responses to their call-to-action indicating what topics matter to them.
And ALAP’s audience already showed great interest in the solutions-driven approach. The team received more than 350 responses to their call-to-action indicating what topics matter to them.This work wouldn’t be possible without the support of the Evens Foundation. We truly value their partnership.
- Gemini for Change: Practical AI for Helping Professionals
We have successfully completed the Gemini for Change – AI Upskilling for Social Impact Professionals project.
In total, we delivered 83 training sessions, trained 1,824 participants, worked across 12 regions, and collaborated with 18 trainers.
Our participants — librarians, teachers, public administration staff, NGO professionals, and journalists — shared one clear need: reducing administrative overload and freeing up time for people-centered work.
What made the biggest difference
- Immediate, hands-on practice
- Practical use cases tailored to specific professions
- Strong interest in NotebookLM and custom AI assistants
- Clear, accessible explanations without technical overload
The majority of participants rated the sessions as highly beneficial and directly applicable to their daily work.
What we can offer next
We provide tailored AI training for teams and organizations:
- Available in Czech and English
- Designed for beginners and advanced users
- Built around real workflows and practical use cases
- Modular and adaptable to your needs
If your team is looking for concrete, responsible ways to integrate AI into everyday work, we’d be happy to explore a customized training format. Contact us at transitions@tol.org
- Train the Trainers Milestone in Prague
We’re excited to share a new milestone in the Level Up project.
Recently, we brought together trainers from different age groups and professional backgrounds for an in-person Train the Trainers session in Prague. The goal was simple but essential: align on the vision of the project, dive deeper into the development of the Level Up game, and make sure we are fully prepared to pass the methodology on to others.
The session created space not only for practical training, but also for open discussion, feedback, and shared learning. This exchange across generations and experiences is one of the strongest assets of the project. It helps us ensure that the tools we develop are accessible, relevant, and truly usable in real educational settings.
The Level Up game continues to evolve, incorporating insights from trainers who will soon bring it to classrooms and community spaces across the Czech Republic. The energy in the room confirmed that we’re building something meaningful — and ready to scale.
Next steps? Taking the training on the road and expanding our impact nationwide.
Thank you to everyone who is part of this journey. More updates coming soon.
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