News

Open Call for Journalists

06 Oct 2025

During the Covid-19 pandemic, existing and new forms of political engagement took on different shapes. Restrictions on movement and gathering forced people across Europe (and beyond) to adapt their activism — sometimes quietly, sometimes loudly, often creatively, online as well as offline. We want to hear stories from this period: how protest groups, activist networks, and political movements found ways to act outside the usual channels, despite unprecedented constraints.

We’re looking for pieces of community journalism that show how people are navigating political life in a time of mistrust, disconnection, and shifting norms. What does it mean to participate when you don’t feel represented? When you feel that your voice isn’t heard or does not count?

Stories might come from the margins—from rural areas, from undocumented folks, from people who don’t usually get asked what they think. They might be “small” stories that tap into something larger: a fight over a local bus route, a migrant-led housing collective, a town hall hearing gone viral, a Tik-Tok meme account that unexpectedly becomes political.

We’re not looking for policy coverage or neutral reporting. We want personal stories with a heart and feeling, written by people who lived them. We want stories that put their finger on what it feels like to live politically right now, to be a citizen of a community, to advocate, to resist, to make a difference.

Edgeryders’ Role

In INTERFACED, Edgeryders leads the effort to surface and amplify
citizen voices, ensuring that real experiences inform research and policy recommendations.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We are seeking freelance journalists based in Austria, Belgium, Italy, Spain,
Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Romania, or who are passionate about
in-depth, community-rooted storytelling. Ideal candidates will have:

• Experience in interviewing, research, and writing long-form articles
• Native or fluent proficiency in the relevant country language(s) and fluent written & spoken English
• A proactive, ethical approach and the ability to work independently

What You’ll Do & How to Apply

• Pitch your idea: Propose an article or other journalistic piece (e.g., video reportage, audio story, photo essay) based on the provided themes. Please include a 500-word draft or outline.
• Produce your work: If selected, you will develop and submit a full piece (for written articles, approximately 3,000 words; for other formats, an equivalent depth and scope).
• Collaborate: Engage with our editorial team to refine your submission and contribute to the broader research effort.

To apply, please submit:

• A short bio and relevant experience
• Country of residence and languages spoken
• Your 500-word draft or outline, indicating your chosen format
• Send your application to bojan@edgeryders.eu

Deadline: 30.10.2025, or until all spots are filled (applications reviewed on a
rolling basis)
Commissions available: 8 paid contributions

Compensation & In-Kind Benefits

• Compensation: 200€ per published contribution
• In-kind benefits:
  • Your work featured in our final research publication
  • Opportunities to collaborate with an international, interdisciplinary research team
  • Contribution to research with real-world impact
  • Networking within the Edgeryders and INTERFACED communities
  • Public recognition and visibility for your work on our platforms
  • Potential for future paid collaborations

Terms

• Freelance assignment with clear deliverables and deadlines
• Payment upon acceptance and publication of the work
• All work must be original and unpublished elsewhere
  

Questions?

Join our community platform to connect with the team, ask questions, or
discuss your ideas before applying. We welcome diverse perspectives and
encourage you to reach out!