Just Transition Young Voices Awards 2025

Youth play a critical role in driving the energy transition and turning today’s goals into tomorrow’s reality. Fostering their knowledge, motivation, and acceptance of the transition is essential. In addition, this initiative creates opportunities to strengthen cooperation on just transition topics among all partners and to establish a simple, replicable process through the award structure.

The Awards aim to inspire and support young people with an interest in energy and climate journalism to explore and report on just transition topics. The Awards offer learning opportunities, international exposure, and platforms to showcase the work of selected winners.

Three awards
Three awards

The Energy Community Secretariat, in cooperation with CEE Bankwatch Network, Climate Action Network (CAN) Europe, the Clean Energy Wire (CLEW) Network, and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO), is launching three prizes:
- One-month paid internship at the Energy Community Secretariat in Vienna.
- Participation in the Regional Journalists Training in Climate Reporting, hosted by CAN Europe on 1–3 September in Ohrid, North Macedonia – applicants should save the date. Travel and accommodation costs will be reimbursed.
- A paid fact-finding mission on energy transformation in a selected Western Balkan location, with and organised by CEE Bankwatch Network.
Balkan Green Energy News is an official media partner of the Initiative.

Successful candidate

Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old.
- Applicants must live in or come from one of the following countries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Moldova, Georgia or Ukraine.
- Women are strongly encouraged to apply and participate in this initiative.
- Application must be submitted in English.
- Application must be submitted latest 28 July 2025.
- Application must include an attached story between 700 – 1100 words.

Story selection criteria

Selection process
Selection process
- How to submit?
- Timeline
  Application open: 28 May – 28 July
  
  Jury selection process: 6 August - 13 August
  
  Winner announcement: approx. 13 August - 20 August
  
  CAN Europe Prize: 1–3 September in Ohrid, North Macedonia – applicants should save the date
  
  Timing for the Energy Community internship and the fact-finding mission with Bankwatch will be agreed with the winner.
- Selection committee
  The Energy Community Secretariat will prepare a shortlist of up to nine applications to facilitate an efficient and focused evaluation by the Jury.
  
  The Jury consists of the following members:
  
  Nevena Smilevska, Just Transition coordinator for Western Balkans, Bankwatch
  
  Milou Dirkx, Journalism Network Manager, CLEW Network
  
  Ensara Reçi, Local Program Officer, RYCO
  
  Marta Schulte-Fischedick, Just Transition Specialist, Energy Community Secretariat

Apply now

Submit your application

Topic
Focus on Just Transition	Explore how communities, workers, businesses, or governments are navigating the shift toward a greener economy in a fair and inclusive way. Stories may highlight real people, places, or initiatives that reflect the challenges, opportunities, and solutions involved in just transition—particularly in sectors or regions impacted by the green shift. Issues of equity, the (non)inclusion of marginalized groups, or proposed solutions to ensure a fair transition for all can be addressed.
Quality of writing
Clarity and Understandability	The artcile is well-written, easy to understand, and engaging for the intended audience.
Accuracy	The article uses facts and data correctly to support its claims and provide evidence for its arguments.
Impact and Public Benefit
Originality, Newsworthiness and Impact	The article offers new insights or perspectives, not just re-reporting known facts. Is it relevant and interesting for the audience? Does it enhance understanding of Just Transition, or inspires action?
Bonus: Creativity and Innovation	The article may be judged on its innovative use of storytelling techniques or formats.

Just Transition Young Voices Awards 2025

Three awards

Successful candidate

Selection process

Apply now