Are you an aspiring journalist looking to gain hands-on experience, explore a new city, and immerse yourself in a new network of like-minded young people from across Europe? Do you have a passion for youth representation, participation, and exchange? Are you interested in how security challenges are shaping today’s world? Then we invite you to apply to become one of four selected young journalists to report on dynamic discussions and collaborations between young people and youth organizations at our annual German-Baltic Conference (GBC). This year, the conference will take place in Riga, Latvia, and will be covering the conference theme of ‘Rethinking Security Through Youth’. Help us to make our motto, #EuropeShallHearYou, a reality by contributing your journalistic skills to this unique project.

This will be the 7th year of our annual German-Baltic Conference, an event focusing on strengthening ties and fostering dialogue between young people and youth organizations from Europe, and in particular Germany and the Baltic States. Half of the participants of the conference are Youth Ambassadors (YAs), who work in three thematic clusters to explore subtopics related to the conference theme of security. Each cluster develops a policy paper aimed at the European Parliament, addressing key issues and recommendations within their focus area. Following the conference, the YAs travel to Brussels to present their papers directly to Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). The papers are also shared more broadly with government and civil society stakeholders at the local, national, and EU levels. The other half of the conference brings together representatives of various youth exchange organizations who are members of the German-Baltic Youth Exchange Network (GBYEN). The aim here is to strengthen cooperation between the members and develop their expertise, skills, and societal outreach in international youth work.

This year, we are seeking young journalists to follow along with the work of the 3 clusters and the GBYEN network and report on their activities during the conference. We are looking for one journalist to shadow each of the 3 clusters, with the following subtopics:

Cluster A – European Security and Defence Innovation
Cluster B – European Security and International Cooperation
Cluster C – European Security and Discourse

In addition, we are looking for one journalist to follow the GBYEN working sessions, which will explore the vital role of civil society and youth engagement in building resilient societies, safeguarding European democratic values, and contributing to a more secure and united Europe.

Your Role:

Shadow Your Cluster or GBYEN group: Engage with conference work sessions, workshops, and activities within your assigned cluster or GBYEN group.
Participate in Other Conference Activities: Attend the other various activities in the program, including panel discussions and keynote speeches, cultural activities, and social events.
Present Your Thoughts: On the final day of the conference, you will be asked to present a short overview of your impressions of the conference during the Final Results Presentation.
Create Content: Following the conference, you are asked to develop a journalistic piece of your choice (video, article, podcast, etc.) highlighting your conference experience and insights on your cluster or group’s activities. This journalistic piece will be shared across the DBJW’s social media and other platforms to your credit.
Network: Connect with conference participants and fellow young journalists.

For taking part in the conference, a fee of participation of 50€ ( – if you are living in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Ukraine, Slovenia, Hungary, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia or Türkiye) or 100€ (– if you live in the rest of Europe) will be required. For the participation fee, you will receive the following:

Travel Support: Up to 100 EUR (Baltic residents) and 200 EUR (rest of Europe) for travel expenses.
Accommodation & Catering: Free lodging in double rooms and meals during the conference.
Publication Opportunity: Showcase your work on our platforms and gain visibility.
Networking: Access a network of over 80 participants involved in youth exchange and representation and the field of security

Eligibility:

Age: 16-30 years.
Background: Early-career journalists or students or passionate individuals in journalism, communications, or other related fields
Language: Proficiency in English is required as the conference is conducted in English
Motivation: Demonstrated interest in journalism and the topics covered by the conference (Security; Youth Exchange, Representation, and Participation)
Residence: You must reside in Europe

Do you want to become a Young Journalist at the 2025 GBC? Then fill out the application form: https://www.cognitoforms.com/DBJW1/_2025YoungJournalistApplication

by the 3rd of August 2025, and let us know what motivates you to become part of this amazing experience. When filling out the application form, we appreciate originality and creativity, so we encourage you to share your own ideas and experiences rather than relying on AI-generated responses.

If you have any questions, contact Alexandra: a.ehresmann.dbjw@deutsch-balten.de

More info: www.dbjw.deutsch-balten.de