Transitions has been bringing local voices from Central and Eastern Europe to an international audience for over two decades. It hasn’t been easy keeping an eye on all the social and cultural changes in the region, not to mention monitoring its democratic backsliding. But we at Transitions would agree that publishing more than 27,000 articles – and training more than 13,500 journalists and journalism students along the way – has been well worth it.
Our business model has depended on institutional donors, supplemented by self-financing (selling site subscriptions, as well as organizing summer courses and site visits for schools).
The pandemic, however, has forced us to cancel all of our on-site courses. And do what we might, our operations remain overly reliant on project-based grants, with little directed toward organizational development. That has greatly hampered our capability to report thoroughly on the backsliding in democracy across the region, to train the next generation of journalism leaders, and offer more support to often-embattled independent media organizations.
In response, we are launching a membership program, with a simple but ambitious goal: to finance within three years at least 50 percent of the costs of our online magazine with contributions from our readers – people just like you. And we invite you to become one of the 100 founding members to get us started.
Just to give you an idea of where your money would go: Those 100 members would help generate enough funds to pay for 10 articles by some of the region’s leading journalists, plus a three-day workshop for 15 journalists or journalism students.
So please become a founding member today and champion our mission to support high-quality, independent journalism and an informed and engaged public.
With thanks and appreciation,
Jeremy Druker
Executive Director and Editor in Chief
TRANSITIONS MAGAZINE
Transitions highlight issues and trends shaping Central and Eastern Europe, Southeastern Europe, and Eurasia – with a special emphasis on solutions journalism. Our network of local and international contributors examine the news and trends shaping the region. We serve as a platform for the region’s independent journalists to cover topics often under reported in their home countries.
MEDIA ACADEMY
More than 13,650 people have passed through our training programs. Our courses specialize in traditional journalism skills; the latest digital techniques; media literacy; and combating disinformation. We developed our own online learning platform for both mentored and self-learning courses and regularly run webinars and online workshops. We launched interactive e-learning courses in multiple languages for journalists in Ukraine, Moldova, and the Balkans on how to report accurately in the age of an infodemic.
SOLUTIONS JOURNALISM
Solutions journalism spotlights effective responses to societal problems. This innovative reporting approach enhances accountability and public engagement and can serve as a catalyst for meaningful change. Transitions provides training, mentoring, and stipends for journalists who want to embark on rigorous coverage of what’s working in their communities.
