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.
The winners of this year’s Eastern Europe Research Award have been announced. A joint research project by journalist Lucia Steinwender and photographer Sanja Knežević convinced the jury, composed of renowned journalists and representatives of the organizing institutions.
Their research focuses on the situation of women workers in the Serbian automotive supply industry. Tens of thousands of employees produce components for German car manufacturers there—often under precarious conditions and for low wages. Women in particular frequently work on assembly lines, are affected by health-related strain, and have hardly any means to assert their rights. The two award winners explore to what extent German companies live up to their responsibilities along the supply chains.
Journalist Lucia Steinwender has been working for several years as a freelance author for radio formats and print media in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Serbian photographer Sanja Knežević works internationally and publishes her work in renowned outlets such as The New York Times, National Geographic, and Die Zeit.
“With their project, the award winners make visible the conditions under which people in our neighboring regions work within global supply chains and the challenges involved in enforcing labor rights. At the same time, they place the perspectives of women at the center, whose work is indispensable for European industry,” explains jury member Matthias Dörr, Head of the Domestic Department at Renovabis.
Information on how to apply for the 2027 Eastern Europe Research Award will be available shortly.
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:
