The Ambassador Network in Maastricht. Behind the scenes of our Solutions Journalism Accelerator

Over two days of discussion and exchange, we reflected on the achievements so far and all that we can still accomplish through similar initiatives.

Solutions Journalism Accelerator: A quick overview

Launched in 2022, the Solutions Journalism Accelerator is a programme delivered by the European Journalism Centre in collaboration with the Solutions Journalism Network (SJN) and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and supported by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, with the aim to increase the adoption of solutions journalism for development reporting by allowing newsrooms to report on responses to pressing social challenges. With this objective in focus, the programme provided USD $4 million in grants, mentoring, coaching, resources, and knowledge sharing.

In practical terms, this goal was achieved through the implementation of:

• 31 grants awarded across three cohorts, including one dedicated to freelancers, and Bootcamps at the beginning and end of the reporting periods for each cohort.
• The allocation of one mentor for each grantee within the first two cohorts.
• The publication of six case studies and three free guides on solutions journalism.
• The creation of a dedicated newsletter called “Solutions, Explained”, which counted more than 22 editions.
• The creation of an Ambassador Network of nine Ambassadors.

The Ambassador Network

To advance the goals of the Accelerator, the Ambassador Network deployed 9 ambassadors across the UK, France, and Germany (3 in each country). hese chosen Ambassadors were in charge of facilitating partnerships and collaborations and establishing a peer support network for those involved or interested in solutions journalism in their respective countries. They contributed to the larger solutions journalism community by sharing best practices and soliciting feedback while increasing the visibility of solutions journalism and its practitioners in the target countries and throughout Europe.

The Network conducted newsroom experiments, hosted local meet-ups, and participated in a SJN train-the-trainers programme designed to promote collaboration, develop solutions journalism skills, and support related projects throughout the initiative.

On 12 and 13 September, the Ambassadors met at the European Journalism Centre offices in Maastricht. Shirish Kulkarni (UK), Jan Scheper (Germany), Anna Patton (Pioneers Post, UK), Alexandra Haderlein and Lilien Wege (Relevanzreporter, Germany), Marine Mugnier (Collectif Antidotes, France), Miriam Richter (sh:z, Germany), and Carla Rosch (UK) connected and exchanged ideas over two days. Zlatina Siderova, Juliette Gerbais, Marjan Tillmans and Vera Penêda from the European Journalism Centre hosted the event, which was also attended by Nina Fasciaux and Alec Saelens from Solutions Journalism Network.

Challenges and solutions

All participants agreed on two main challenges identified over two days of discussion and debate. 

The first challenge is the need for more funding and financial support to encourage project development and spread this solution-oriented mindset, especially with training new professionals in this field. This is intensified by a related issue: a lack of resources. 

A very good example to face this challenge is represented, for example, by Impact Journalism Academy's (Pioneers Post) shift towards providing practical experiences, enabling young journalists and trainees from diverse backgrounds or those from smaller newsrooms to access hands-on solutions journalism opportunities, offering scholarships, stipends, and flexible training options.

An unexpected challenge has arisen as a result of the fact that, contrary to popular belief, the professionals within the sector are sceptical of solutions journalism. While the audience has reacted positively to this approach (as we will see forward), many journalists see it as too big a shift from traditional reporting methods.

To address these concerns, it is fundamental to reconnect with professionals' needs, understand their reservations, and provide solid proof that solutions journalism is a step forward. Investing in this strategy is worthwhile because it improves the quality of their work and the impact of their reporting. As previously stated, this challenge should be explored by providing training and resources to enrich newsrooms and support professionals without overwhelming them. The strategy is to “hack the system, not burn it down”, as Alec Saelens pointed out.  It is not about breaking or dismantling the system; rather, it is about improving and enhancing it.

The audience is the main character

The first day was dedicated to showcasing the ambassadors' work and projects developed over the last three years, which aimed  which aimed at experimenting with innovative and creative practices and tactics for disseminating solutions journalism.

The primary approach taken by the majority of the projects is the recognition that solutions journalism is fundamentally about the audience, as it stems from the audience's negative reaction to the way news is delivered. 

We must, therefore, restart from the audience. The projects presented have all sought, in different ways, to deepen connections with local communities, understand their needs, and develop innovative participatory methods to reconnect the audience to a healthier engagement with the news. For instance, Collectif Antidotes organised a workshop open to all in Toulouse, France, called "S’informer sans déprimer" (translated: staying informed without getting depressed). The idea was to create a dialogue between citizens and journalists and to allow people to talk about their relationship with the news. It not only created a genuine connection between the public and journalists but also led to the introduction of solutions journalism. Surveys at the end revealed that none of the participants were familiar with solutions journalsim and indicated a desire to take charge of their media consumption habits.

They have prioritised audience needs and concerns through various approaches, including trainings, podcasts, community events, and newsletters. For example, the latest episode of Carla Rosch's podcast was a brilliant way of doing so. Instead of interviewing her guest herself, she got students from a London journalism school to ask questions to the guest, who was herself a journalist. This way students could learn more about what it is like to report on a solutions journalism story while also learning about what it is like to record a podcast and interview someone

Each initiative has investigated creative methods to make journalism more accessible, particularly to under-represented groups, while also addressing real-world issues like climate change. As a result, they've encouraged a deeper, more meaningful engagement with journalism, allowing audiences to reconnect with news in ways that inspire action instead of stimulating just anxiety and hopelessness.

The main discussion about truly focusing on the audience revealed several key points. One of these is the importance of immersing oneself in local realities, including marginalised communities, with a critical mindset and an interest to better understand emotionally what living in these contexts means. 

This inevitably leads the reporter, journalist, or media professional to tell stories and interact with people who need to be heard and may already have solutions or different views on addressing the challenges in their social context. These solutions are then compared to those of experts, resulting in new connections and opportunities for dialogue.

During further discussions between the Ambassadors and the organisers, it became clear that people respond well to a different perspective on news and in-depth reporting. A more positive, solutions-focused, and constructive approach encourages various types of audiences to engage with the news, demonstrating renewed interest in what is happening both globally and locally and even greater optimism.