SHAPING INCLUSIVE EURO MED NARRATIVES
ALForum 2025
Open Call for Journalists, reporters, editors and media storytellers
Application Deadline: 30 May 2025 (23:59 CET)
Read the Call and Application Form here
About the Forum
The ALForum 2025 will bring together around 1,000 participants including civil society and academic entities, young leaders, media outlets, influential figures, governments and institutions representatives, policymakers and other relevant stakeholders from 43 countries across the Euro Mediterranean region. Together, we will share ideas, co-create actionable solutions, and engage in transformative discussions in the field of intercultural dialogue.
The ALForum 2025 is structured around three core dimensions inspired by our slogan:
“Inspiring Knowledge, Driving Action, Uniting Cultures”
About the Call
At ALF, we believe that shaping inclusive narratives starts with giving space to every voice, and media holds a huge responsibility to ensure that this happens. Journalists and reporters are the eyes of the public, shedding light on realities that often go unnoticed. Through their work, they transfer diverse perspectives, telling the stories and experiences that often remain unheard.
This call is open to affiliated journalists, reporters, editors and media storytellers from across the Euro-Mediterranean region to actively participate in ALForum 2025.
This is more than just an invitation to cover an event. It’s a chance to reflect the diversity, complexity, and shared humanity of our region. It’s a platform to find common ground, and give a voice to all, ensuring that different public audiences see themselves represented in the conversation.
Who Can Apply
Journalists, reporters, editors, and media storytellers affiliated and working in bona fide or recognised media organisations and news agencies based in one of the 43-euro Mediterranean countries, working across different mediums (print, digital, radio, TV, etc.), with experience or interest in intercultural relations, Euro-Mediterranean affairs, culture, social issues, or topics related to one of the ALForum 2025 focus areas:
Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution/Prevention, Coexistence, and Inclusive Dynamics
Disinformation and Misinformation in the Euro-Mediterranean Region
Living Together: Promoting Tolerance and Understanding
Youth Engagement in Participatory Dialogues and Decision-Making Processes
Ethics and Governance of Artificial Intelligence Technologies
Social Innovation as a Catalyst for Inclusion in Culturally Diverse Societies
Empowering Women to Challenge Gender Stereotypes and Beyond
Integrating Social Dimensions in Climate Change Policies
International Cultural Relations and Cultural Diplomacy
Creative Industries and Art
What is Requested
Selected Journalists and storytellers’ role will not only to inform, but to ensure that diverse perspectives are seen, heard, and remembered. Through their reporting, they will help shape how the ALForum 2025 is understood by the public and how its impact resonates beyond the Forum itself. Their coverage should reflect the richness and complexity of the Euro-Mediterranean region. Its shared challenges, cultural diversity, and interconnected stories to build a more inclusive and relatable narrative that speaks to people on both sides of the Mediterranean.
Deliverables:
1. Pre Forum Coverage
Publish at least one article written by the reporter or disseminate the press release provided by ALF, announcing the ALForum, including key information such as the Forum’s objectives, theme, the importance of the event for the Euro-Mediterranean region, and key speakers or participants. This article or press release should build excitement and anticipation by highlighting the impact the Forum aims to have on the region and beyond.
2. During the Forum Coverage
Daily Coverage: Provide at least one post/article per day on your media outlet/platform summarizing key sessions, activities or feature testimonies. This should highlight major takeaways, noteworthy quotes, or impactful moments
Interviews: Conduct at least 3 interviews with key speakers, participants or designated representatives of the ALF Secretariat authorized to speak on behalf of the ALForum, ensuring a broad representation of views and insights
Social Media Coverage (if applicable): Posting at least 3 highlights, quotes, or insights per day to engage a broader audience, and sharing key announcements or interviews conducted during the day while tagging ALF official accounts and using the ALForum hashtags
3. Post-Forum Coverage
Publish at least one comprehensive article or feature reflecting on the overall experience of the Forum. This should include key outcomes or conclusions, diverse perspectives gathered through interviews, and insights on the Forum’s relevance both to the journalist’s local context and the wider Euro-Mediterranean region. This feature should also include an audio/video recap or photographs that document key moments and interactions during the Forum and must be published on the journalist’s media outlet’s platforms.
Selected applicants will receive a detailed set of instructions on the deliverables, including specific requirements for content formats, publication timelines, and any additional requests to ensure consistency and alignment with the ALForum objectives.
Funding Details
Selected applications will receive a lump sum of 2.500 euro to cover, international travel, accommodation, meals, fees and other expenses related to the elaboration of the above-detailed deliverables.
40% of the lump sum will be paid as pre-financing upon reception and approval of the deliverables detailed above in “Pre Forum Coverage”.
The remaining 60% will be paid after the ALForum, upon reception and approval of the deliverables detailed above in “During the Forum Coverage” and “Post-Forum Coverage”.
Why Should You Apply
Gain exclusive media access to interview VIP speakers, policymakers, key partners, and youth
Lead the narrative through unique impact stories
Build relationships with a wide variety of leading stakeholders from different countries across the Euro-Mediterranean region
Attend and participate in the plenary and parallel sessions during the three days of the ALForum
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria will be based on the quality of the applications received. Priority will be given to affiliated journalists, reporters, editors and media storytellers that are members of the ALF Network. A gender, youth and geographical balance between regions and countries and diversity of cultural backgrounds will also be observed. Diversity of media formats to include online platforms, television, print media, and other digital or traditional outlets will be also considered.
The following key elements will also guide the evaluation process:
Media Platform Reach (35%)
Proposals will be assessed based on the size, visibility, and audience engagement of the media platform to which the applicant is affiliated, as well as the relevance of the platform’s audience to the ALForum 2025.
Engaging Narrative Techniques (35%)
The journalist’s experience to use innovative formats like storytelling, data visualization, podcast, etc or any other creative and engaging formats that attracts a broader and more diverse audience.
Background (30%)
Professional experience of the applicants in intercultural relations, Euro-Mediterranean affairs, culture, social issues, or topics related to one of the ALForum 2025 focus areas and/or in inclusive reporting of different voices and perspectives in the Euro-Mediterranean context.
Indicative Timeline
14/04/25 Launch of the call
30/05/25 Deadline to receive submitted applications
05/06/25 Publication of the selection results
18-20/06/25 ALForum 2025 Tirana
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 31/01/25 | Launch of the call |
| 10/02/25 | Online information session (details will be published on the ALF’ website) |
| 01/03/25 | Deadline to receive submit applications |
| 29/03/25 | Publication of the selection results |
| 18-20/06/25 | ALForum 2025 Tirana |
This Programme is developed in the framework of the Action Grant NDICI-GEO-NEAR/2022/434-371 in accordance with the Anna Lindh Foundation Multiannual Work Programme 2022-2025.
In case of technical assistance or questions related to the call, please send your questions to alf.forum@alfsecretariat.org
Frequently Asked Questions:
What does it mean to be affiliated?
Being part of a certain entity or institution across the Euro-Med region. Only affiliated individuals who are available to participate in person during the days of the ALForum are eligible to apply.
Is this call only for speakers or moderators?
This call is primarily for speakers. If you are also interested in moderating a session, please check the box on the application form that states interest in the role of facilitator.
How does the selection and grouping process work?
After submissions, proposals will be evaluated by the ALF Secretariat. Selected proposals will be organised into 75-minute thematic sessions, grouped according to topics and languages.
Will speakers have to fund their own stay to attend the ALForum in Tirana?
ALF will cover travel expenses (flights, transportation, visa, etc…), accommodation and main meals for the accepted speakers for the whole duration of the ALForum.