Strengthening reporting on Eastern Europe: That is the idea behind the ‘Research Prize for Eastern Europe’. It is awarded by the Protestant organisation Aktion Hoffnung für Osteuropa and the Catholic organisation Renovabis. The co-operation partner is the European journalism network n-ost. The money is used to fund time-consuming research into social reports from the countries of Central, South-Eastern and Eastern Europe. The aim is to take a look at people's everyday lives, to address how they deal with social upheaval and to show the living conditions of marginalised groups.
FREISING/STUTTGART. Applications are now open for the Research Prize for Eastern Europe 2026. The prize, awarded by Renovabis, the Hoffnung für Osteuropa campaign (Diakonie Württemberg), and the European journalism network n-ost, supports outstanding research into social and political developments in Central, South-Eastern, and Eastern Europe.
The prize is awarded in the form of a grant, enabling the realization of time-intensive and travel-intensive social reportages for German-speaking media. The funding amounts to up to €7,000. We are looking for journalistic projects that focus on the everyday lives of people in Eastern Europe, make upheavals visible, and open up new perspectives on life in the region. A jury of renowned journalists and representatives of the awarding organizations selects the winners from the submissions.
The start of the application phase coincides with the presentation of the Research Prize for Eastern Europe 2025, which took place in Stuttgart on November 4.
This year's awards went to Luise Glum for her research into the ecological challenges facing Armenia's Lake Sevan, and Karin Finkenzeller for her project on the inclusion of war wounded in Ukraine. Ms. Finkenzeller published the results of her research on October 19 under the title "Lemberg all inclusive" in the Frankfurter Allgemeine Sonntagszeitung. Ms. Glum's article "Pegel halten im Kaukasus" (Maintaining Water Levels in the Caucasus) also appeared in the FAS on October 26.
The application phase for the Research Prize Eastern Europe 2026 is now open. Interested journalists are invited to submit their research projects that deal with topics from Eastern Europe.
The application deadline for the Research Award Eastern Europe 2026 is 15 January 2026! The following documents are required:
Please send these documents digitally only to: info@recherchepreis-osteuropa.de
Closing date for submissions: 15.01.2025
Amputierte Beine, zertrümmerte Rücken, ein verlorenes Augenlicht: In der westukrainischen Stadt leben viele Kriegsversehrte. Jetzt macht sie ihre Altstadt zugänglicher – und wird damit zum Vorbild für deutsche Städte.
Der Sewansee spendet Armenien Wasser, Energie, Leben und Touristen. Doch nach Jahrzehnten der Ausbeutung und Verschmutzung ist seine Zukunft ungewiss.
| 2024 | Emilia Sulek & Danil Usamnov | Nur die Entschlossensten bleiben in Wilschany | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Anna Alboth & Nadine Wojcik | Aus Frauensicht: Alltag an der polnischen EU-Außengrenze | |
| 2023 | Irina Peter | Kleine Schritte in Armenien | |
| 2023 | Kolja Haaf | Wenn Adler flügge werden | |
| 2021 | Stefan Schocher & Matthias Schumann | Verteilung von Corona-Impfstoff – ein Werkzeug der internationalen Politik? | |
| 2020 | Nathalie Bertrams & Ingrid Gercama | Schneeglöckchen aus Georgien | Dokumentation Arte |
| 2019 | Robert Putzbach, Johanna-Maria Fritz und Philip Jokić | Sozialreportage: Brain-Drain von Pflegekräften aus Serbien und Bosnien-Herzegowina | |
| 2019 | Julia Lauter & Holger Fröhlich | Kinder des Umbruchs | TAZ |
| 2018 | Martin Theis & Fabian Weiss | Tropfen auf den heißen Torf | Greenpeace-Magazin |
| 2017 | Oliver Bilger & Ekaterina Anokhina | Die Überlebenden von Majak | Cicero, NZZ, ostpol |
| 2017 | Olivia Kortas | Ungarn - Wenn Rechtspopulisten regieren | Frankfurter Rundschau |
| 2016 | Simone Brunner & Florian Bachmeier | Jugend in Trümmern | |
| 2016 | Merle Hilbk & Andrey Sosnin | Je weniger man weiß, desto besser schläft man | |
| 2015 | Inna Hartwich | Arbeitsmitgranten in Moskau | |
| 2016 | Diana Laarz & Fabian Weiss | Putin ante Portas | |
| 2015 | Astrid Viciano | Nach der Stille |
The Research Award Eastern Europe is a cooperation between Renovabis, Diakonie Württemberg/Hoffnung für Osteuropa and n-ost. These three partners join forces to promote and support reporting on Eastern Europe.
The jury for the Research Prize for Eastern Europe is made up of renowned experts with in-depth knowledge and many years of experience in reporting on Eastern Europe.
The world has become confusing. That is why it is becoming increasingly important to take a closer look - especially where there is a lack of attention, even though it is so important. This also and especially applies to Eastern Europe. The research prize enables stories that are worth being told by reporters.
Journalists with a wealth of knowledge and surprising ideas repeatedly apply for the research prize. They shed light on problems that often go unnoticed but are important for the whole of Europe - and are increasingly looking for constructive solutions. It is a great pleasure for the jury to weigh up fairly which project could bring the greatest gain in knowledge for media users.
I am particularly fascinated by the short stories from Eastern Europe with committed protagonists. They say a lot about the societal and social realities that the research prize opens up access to.
Young journalists are interested in topics from Eastern Europe and are attracted by the difficult and resistant. The research prize draws attention to this important region, promotes understanding and cooperation and enables valuable reports that might otherwise not be possible. It is an honour to sit on the jury.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine, which came as a surprise to many, has shown once again: We know far too little about what is going on in Eastern Europe. The research prize not only promotes reporting on topics that otherwise receive little attention. It also supports cooperation between journalists from EU and non-EU countries. This is exactly the kind of journalism we need in Europe.
Our commitment is solidarity in action in a Europe of different conditions, events and burdens. The jointly awarded research prize always opens up new perspectives.
In times of dwindling solidarity, the Research Prize for Eastern Europe draws attention to the weakest, the forgotten, but also to those who do not want to accept this. The applicants include many strong projects committed to humanism and truthfulness. This jury is a pleasure.
If you have any questions about the Recherchepreis Osteuropa or how to submit your application, please contact:
