Youth4Regions Media Programme

The European Commission's Directorate General for Regional and Urban Policy wishes to encourage students in journalism to communicate on concrete projects cofunded by the European Regional Development and Cohesion Funds. Specific objectives include:

- fostering young journalistic productions to promote knowledge of the European Union;
- creating a space for debate, share values and ways of working;
- enhancing the links between European institutions and youth.

To this end, all students in journalism based in the EU are invited to participate in the competition organised in the framework of the European Week of Regions and Cities (http://www.regions-and-cities.europa.eu) co-organised by the European Commission and the Committee of the Regions.

Object of the competition is the preparation of a short article that depict in an original manner a project co-financed by the European Regional Development and
Cohesion Funds, supporting smart, inclusive or sustainable growth, particularly job creation, improved quality of life and sustainable development.

The jury will assess eligible applications as per the above conditions according to the following selection criteria:
- Their originality (a new story or an unusual angle);
- The extent to which they are compelling for the reader or viewer and catch the interest;
- Their respect for the ethical principles of journalism;
- The extent to which they demonstrate a rigorous approach in terms of research and field work.

Applications will be assessed on both substance and style of the young journalists' work.

The reward, to be announced beginning of September, will consist in an invitation to take part in Brussels, along 28 other selected students, in the Media Programme of the European Week of Regions and Cities with more than 150 invited journalists from 8th to 11th October 2017.

Conditions for entry (eligibility criteria)
1. Minimum age requirement: 18 years old.
2. All selected young journalists will be requested to provide a copy of their student card to prove their registration in a journalism school/university.
3. The short articles must be at least 400 words and may not exceed 1000 words. Only written contributions will be accepted.
4. Applications must be submitted in English.
5. Team applications will not be accepted, only individual applications are accepted.
6. The European Commission reserves the right to use the articles submitted in presentation materials, with the media, and to reproduce them in any form.
7. The Jury will be composed by officials from the European Institutions, working in the media/journalism/communication fields.
8. The jury’s decision is final and without appeal. The jury reserves the right to reject any entry that does not comply with the requirements of the competition.

Further details:
http://europedirect.duth.gr