Dates: 15 October 19 October | Location: Johannesburg

Thomson Reuters Foundation, in partnership with the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism, is looking for journalists based anywhere in Africa who are motivated to understand how their country could be losing money via illicit means.

Wealth of Nations is a long-term engagement, and journalists who take part must commit to all elements of the scheme, signing an agreement to this effect. These elements include:

• The production of stories or investigations on illicit financial flows
• A mentoring support scheme that will help produce these stories
• Intensive training on reporting illicit finance
  • The first workshop will take place from Monday, 15 October – Friday, 19 October 2018 at the Institute for the Advancement of Journalism in Johannesburg
  • Selected participants will be invited to a follow-up workshop in early December 2018

Journalists will not be considered to have completed the scheme until they have completed all the elements, which include producing at least one story or investigation on illicit financial flows and will not receive their certificates until this point

BENEFITS OF THE SCHEME

• If selected, you will take part in one intensive workshops (5 days) covering illicit finance, reporting on companies, accounts and budgets, and investigative techniques. The workshops will take place in Johannesburg.
• You will propose one or more story ideas that you wish to work on within the scheme – we will provide experienced journalists to help you pursue your stories right up to publication/broadcast.
• Selected participants will receive modest funding to help them realise their stories or investigations; those who are funded may have further opportunities for training.
• You will have exclusive access to expertise through our network of illicit finance experts.
• You will also have access to story ideas and editorial advice and will be invited to share your own expertise with participants from other regions.

ELIGIBILITY

• Journalists with at least two years of professional experience.
• It is an advantage if you are familiar with investigative journalism, reporting on finances and/or dealing with numbers more generally. But if you have a strong motivation to learn about and understand these issues then we will consider your application.
• You must be able to spend significant time working on illicit finance stories or investigations.
• Both freelancers and staff journalists may apply. Journalists working for a news organisation will need consent from their editor to take part. Freelancers should provide evidence that one or more media organisations will be willing to take their work.
• Journalists working in any medium or multiple media are welcome to apply (print, online, radio or television).
• Journalists should be based in Africa and working for one or more African media organisations.
• Journalists applying must have fluent English.

FUNDING

Successful applicants will receive a full bursary that will cover air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation, local transfers and meals. Please note that you need to check visa requirements and ensure you have the necessary documentation required. The cost of your visa and any other related costs will be the responsibility of the participant.

SUBMISSIONS

• Two work samples
• A letter from your editor consenting to your participation and confirming that any story written as part of the programme will be published in the publication you work for