How to Report on EU Topics

The English-language e-book summarizes all the content of the new e-learning course and makes the materials accessible beyond the digital platform. “Our goal is to empower journalists to report in depth and fact-based on EU topics from a regional perspective,” explains Prof. Susanne Fengler, Professor of International Journalism at TU Dortmund University and head of the consortium. Five other journalism institutes from universities in Belgium, Greece, Poland, Portugal, and Romania are involved in the COPE project. The “European Journalism Training Association” (EJTA) and the non-profit organization "Arena for Journalism in Europe" (ARENA), which advocates for cross-border cooperation among journalists, are also participating.

Aspiring or already trained journalists throughout Europe can learn how the institutions and the cohesion policy of the EU work using the developed online course materials. The EU’s cohesion policy aims to strengthen economic and social cohesion among member states. To this end, the EU invests funding in projects that balance inequalities between poorer and richer regions, promote cross-border cooperation, and increase competitiveness and employment in all regions.

Tools for local reporting

The project pays particular attention to enabling journalists to prepare their multimedia reporting on these topics in such a way that it is relevant to their local recipients. In addition, they should learn to critically observe and report on how local actors use cohesion funds. Isabella Kurkowski, research associate at the Institute of Journalism and Managing Director of the project, emphasizes: “We want to promote even more cross-border cooperation and professional reporting on European topics among a future generation of European journalists.”

The new e-learning platform will be available in all languages spoken in the EU member states. The course is currently being tested in a pilot phase by universities in all 27 countries. Selected modules will also offer country-specific content. The EU is funding the COPE project with around one million euros. While the e-learning platform will be presented in the summer of 2024, the consortium has already now published the free e-book on the project – just in time for the start of the European election campaign. Prof. Susanne Fengler says: “We hope that this e-book will motivate the creative use of our materials in teaching throughout Europe – and beyond.”

The e-book can be downloaded for free.

To the download page for the e-book (in English)

To the project’s website

The EU at TU Dortmund University

Contact person for queries:

Back