At a time when journalists across Europe are navigating increasing professional and emotional strain, the response to the European Journalist Retreat on Trauma, Resilience and Ethical Reporting reveals a clear appetite for community, reflection, and resilience-building. Co-organized by the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma (GCJT) and iMEdD’s Ideas Zone, the retreat will bring together a select group of media professionals in the mountain village of Vamvakou, in Laconia, from October 14 to 18, 2026.
The selection committee is currently reviewing a strong and notably diverse response to the call for applications: journalists from 29 countries [Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, Croatia, Finland, France, Germany, Georgia, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Lithuania, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, United Kingdom, Ukraine] applied for the 16 available places. The applicant pool reflects the breadth and complexity of today’s European media landscape, bringing together professionals working across different formats, regions, and reporting environments — from investigative reporters based in major newsrooms to freelance photographers and field correspondents covering conflict, displacement, and other high-pressure assignments across Europe and beyond.
Notably, the application pool appears to include a significant contingent of exiled journalists now living and working throughout Europe, although this is not always explicitly stated. These are professionals who have been forced to flee their home countries due to political persecution, conflict, or direct threats to their safety.
The retreat builds on a model developed over 25 years by the Global Center for Journalism and Trauma and its predecessor, the Dart Center for Journalism and Trauma, which has supported journalists worldwide through fellowships, training, retreats, and professional peer networks. Over four days, the 16 selected participants will engage in workshops designed to transform how they approach their craft and their own well-being.
Key areas of focus will include:
- Trauma-informed reporting best practices, including:
- 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 including:
- understanding trauma exposure in journalism
- strategies for managing stress, secondary trauma, and burnout
- Newsroom culture and leadership, including:
- sustainable practices for long-term wellbeing
- duty of care in news organizations, trauma-aware leadership and peer support
- building healthier newsroom environments
Note: Successful applicants will be notified in the coming weeks.
