The EU-funded GESR project presents a media mentorship programme for energy reporting in Georgia

EU-funded Georgian Energy Sector Reform Project (GESRP) announces a call for journalists, producers and media professionals working in the Georgian press to apply for the 3-day Media Mentorship programme on Energy Efficiency (EE) and Renewable Energy (RE), offering an opportunity to further enhance their skills and capacities for evidence-based, non-partisan reporting on Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Climate Change and related topics.  

A key goal of the EU-funded Mentorship programme is to empower participants to produce compelling and topical media content about initiatives related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change issues in Georgia, as well as the country’s progress in this direction and legislative changes. By the end of the Mentorship programme, each participant is expected to have developed and produced actual media products such as articles, videos, reportages, infographics, podcasts, and multimedia presentations, among others – or a very clear and detailed blueprint/concept for such media product to be produced, finalized and disseminated within a month after the Mentorship programme. 

The media products created through the mentorship programme will undergo evaluation by the evaluation committee, and three outstanding entries will be selected to receive paid prizes as recognition for their excellence.

After completing the mentorship programme, the participants will have the opportunity to join a thematic Media tour. During this tour, they will learn about the energy-efficient practices introduced by the private sector and the impact of the reforms/changes on their activities.

The two-day programme will take place from April 19 to 21, 2024, in Tsinandali Estate, A Radisson Collection Hotel, Kakheti, Georgia. It will be conducted in Georgian and English, and a simultaneous translation will be provided. Enrollment in the mentoring programme is free, and the project will cover transportation and hotel accommodation expenses.

During the interactive sessions, participants will explore a comprehensive range of topics, including effective dissemination and comprehensive coverage of topics concerning energy efficiency and renewable energies, the art of storytelling with a focus on visual techniques, and the importance of legislative changes at the local level and international obligations. Additionally, they’ll gain insights into identifying pivotal energy efficiency and renewable energy issues, mastering the craft of pitching these to editors. To understand the nuances of how to connect energy efficiency and renewable energy issues with economic sustainability and the progress made by the country, to maintain the highest standards in the coverage of environmental, climate change and energy efficiency issues, as well as to distinguish the positive aspects of energy efficiency, renewable energies from the widespread misinformation.

The selected participants are expected to choose the topics of their interest to design and produce individual media products on the following subject areas: 

1. The main aspects of the association agreement are the direction of energy efficiency and renewable energies, progress achieved, and future commitments.
2. Energy policy and integrated energy and climate plan. What are the main directions of the policy, and what measures are determined by the integrated energy and climate plan in terms of energy efficiency. 
3. What do the updated directives on energy efficiency and energy performance of buildings entail?
4. Does the reform provide for the creation of new professions in the market? How will staff be trained and certified?
5. How is the Green Hydrogen Strategy and Action Plan being developed?

During the programme, each thematic group will conduct Q&A sessions with thematic experts. Media experts will facilitate this expertise to ensure fruitful interactions align with journalistic needs. After the group sessions, participants will work individually on their reports with the assigned mentor, who will be the field expert. During this phase, they’ll have the opportunity to engage one-on-one with thematic experts to address specific questions or concerns related to their chosen topics.

Who Can Apply?

Journalists, producers, and media professionals from Georgia who are keen on improving their expertise in environmental, energy efficiency, renewable energy, and climate change reporting. Ensuring the publication or broadcast of the content created during the Mentorship programme is a prerequisite.

To apply for this unique opportunity, please submit the completed application: https://forms.gle/ZUAmWA4Mwg8LWnrY6 

The deadline for submission is April 8, 2024 

Download publication commitment form: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DBXf8cw3LYX6GaDOcuV7Ty8sQJ9FDcB0/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=108346968900068809309&rtpof=true&sd=true 

If you have any questions or need further information, please contact us at marie.kikvadze@gopa-intec.de  

 About the European Union:

For more than 30 years, the European Union has built a close partnership with Georgia, supporting its development through knowledge and experience sharing, expertise, innovation and financial support. The relationship between the EU and Georgia is based on shared values of peace, freedom, democracy, human rights and inclusive economic growth. More about the EU’s support in Georgia https://eu4georgia.eu/the-european-union-in-georgia/

About the project:

The Georgian Energy Sector Reform Project (GESRP) is an EU-funded technical support project for the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development, managed by KfW development bank and implemented by German independent energy consulting company GOPA Intec. GESRP provides legal, technical, and advisory support to the Government to further develop more aligned legislation, regulations, and policies in line with the directions of the Energy Community, along with strengthened 

capacity building across the energy sector, in particular, in implementing more excellent Energy Efficiency, with a focus on buildings, laying the foundations for increased Renewable Energy and promoting a more open and competitive power market, facilitating more significant future trading to strengthen the country’s energy security.  

For further inquiries, please contact:
Marie Kikvadze, GESRP Communications Expert
Tel: 577 95 90 20; E-mail:  marie.kikvadze@gopa-intec.de