Retreat on Trauma, Resilience and Ethical Reporting

The Global Center for Journalism and Trauma (GCJT), in partnership with iMEdD’s Ideas Zone, invites applications for a four-day European Journalist Retreat on Trauma, Resilience and Ethical Reporting, to be held 14–18 October 2026 in Vamvakou, Laconia, Greece.

This retreat will bring together 16 reporters, editors, social media editors, photographers, and multimedia journalists from across Europe working on the front lines of today’s most challenging stories—from conflict and political polarization to displacement, climate crises, and disinformation.

What the retreat offers

• The retreat will offer an opportunity for journalists to take a short time out from newsgathering to strengthen their craft, reflect on the ethical dimensions of their work, build sustainable practices for reporting on trauma and crisis, and connect with peers working under similar circumstances.
• During the retreat, participants will explore how understanding the impacts of trauma and tragedy can help protect their well-being, sustain high-quality reporting, and adopt trauma-informed practices.
• They will also learn strategies to build resilience and foster ethical, supportive newsroom cultures.
• Sessions will include expert-briefings – drawing on the latest evidence-based approaches to psychological resilience and peer support – group discussions, and reflective workshops.
• Sixteen journalists will participate in a collaborative, confidential environment where they can share experiences, discuss ethical challenges, and learn from one another.

Additionally, the retreat covers:

• Round-trip air or train travel from any European country to Athens, Greece, along with transfers to Vamvakou, Laconia;
• Five nights of accommodation, and
• Meals during the retreat.

Thematics

• Trauma-informed reporting best practices: interviewing survivors of violence and tragedy, ethical decision-making when covering crisis and conflict, approaches to sensitive storytelling that minimise the risk of harm
• Psychological safety and resilience: understanding trauma exposure in journalism, strategies for managing stress, secondary trauma, and burnout
• Newsroom culture and leadership: sustainable practices for long-term well-being, duty of care in news organizations, trauma-aware leadership and peer support building healthier newsroom environments

Eligibility

• Applicants must have at least five years of professional journalism experience and be living and working in Council of Europe countries (full list of eligible countries here). Sixteen (16) European journalists will be selected to participate.
• The retreat is open to reporters from all media (print, online, audio, broadcast) along with photographers, video journalists and editors.
• Applicants should regularly report on conflict, violence, migration, climate crises, or other high-impact stories* in Europe.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is 11 May, 2026 at 6pm GMT. All applicants must submit their applications via this online platform. Applicants will be asked to submit:

• Professional CV
• Bio
• A brief statement (no longer than 750 words) describing the applicant’s interest in the retreat and how it relates to their work.
• Two examples of relevant reporting from the last 24 months.
• One letter or recommendation from a supervisor or professional colleague.

For more information, please visit this page.