1. The “Solidarity Academy Journalist Award 2016” is the second edition of a competition for young journalists, the graduates of Solidarity Academy since 2013, who publish texts on issues related to international relations with the care of quality and reliability.

2. The purpose of the award is to recognize young journalists who – through their work and writing – show commitment to such values as: solidarity, freedom, democracy, open society and intercultural dialogue and help further public understanding on political, social and economic issues in the current world. They work should be also aimed at displaying stereotypes and strengthening the dialogue above divisions and European integrity. Texts written in cooperation with other journalists will be especially welcome.

3. The jury of the competition consists of five judges:
• Basil Kerski, the director of the European Solidarity Centre as the chairman of the jury ad representative of the contest organizer;
• Iwona Reichardt as the representative of the partner organization (“New Eastern Europe”) and initiator of the contest;
• Łukasz Grajewski as the representative of the partner organization Eastbook.eu;
• Małgorzata Czyżewska from the "Borderland" Foundation in Sejny;
• Bastian Sendhardt from the Friedrich Ebert Foundation in Warsaw;
• Paul Toetzke, laureate of the first edition of the contest.

4. Submitted texts should include articles that were published (in paper or online) in 2016. Unpublished materials will not be considered by the jury. In addition to submitted articles participants should present the jury with their professional accomplishments in a form of a short description of their work, public engagement and other so far obtained medals and awards.

5. Articles should be submitted by their authors on the mail: academy@solidarity.org.pl. The deadline for submission is September 20th 2017. Texts should be submitted in their original form (copies of press texts are allowed) along with a translation of the text into the English language.

6. There is no preference in regards to the length, topic or journalistic genre of the submitted material. Submissions will be judged based on their journalistic quality, approach to the subject matter and author’s commitment to the above mentioned values.

7. The finalists will be selected in early October 2017 by the jury. The winner will be announced in October 2017 and the award ceremony will take place during the 2017 edition of the Solidarity Academy organized in October 2017 in Gdańsk.

8. The winner will receive an “educational voucher” (for the equivalent amount 1000 euro) which will improve their competencies and it’s costs will be covered by the organizers. The voucher might have a form of a course/training/conference fees etc. In addition, the winner will be offered the possibility to work with a mentor (proposed by the jury) as well as become a contributing author to both “New Eastern Europe” and Eastbook.eu.

9. The awarded text has a chance to be republished by “New Eastern Europe”, Eastbook.eu and other partner media organisations.

10. The winner of the 2017 edition will be also invited to be a member of the jury of the next edition of the contest.