Balkan Network of Science Journalists

About the network

The Balkan Network of Science Journalists (BNSJ) is a regional association of science reporters, writers, and communicators dedicated to improving the quality of critical and ethical science coverage in South-East Europe.

The network traces its roots back to 2012 when UNESCO convened a specialized panel discussion on science communication in the region during the PCST conference in Florence, Italy. Following foundational training schools held in Belgrade (2013) and Podgorica (2014), the network was officially formalized in June 2016 at the International School of Science Journalism in Erice, Italy, and subsequently at the European Conference of Science Journalists in Manchester, UK.

The network comprises over 100 members, welcoming both freelance journalists and staff reporters who operate across the region, bringing together journalists from countries across South-East Europe, including Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, and neighbouring states. Operating primarily as an informal professional alliance rather than a fixed corporate legal entity, the BNSJ remains entirely open to new members.

The network provides essential resources, peer support, and capacity building, structuring its main activities around several core pillars:

• Investigative & Critical Reporting: Fostering hard-hitting journalism that examines environmental degradation, public health policies, and research ethics.
• Training & Education: Organizing specialized workshops, writing schools, and developing practical educational guides (such as local science journalism handbooks published in countries like Bulgaria and Albania) to empower aspiring reporters.
• Event Organization: Gathering regularly through annual general meetings and workshops hosted alongside major European and world conferences of science journalists.
• Collaborative Excellence: Facilitating knowledge transfer, cross-border editorial partnerships, and joint grant applications among regional science writers.

Because the network focuses on specialized scientific reporting, its members cover an extensive range of public-interest topics from a regional and technical perspective:

• Climate & Environment: Investigating ecological threats, such as the destruction of coastal biodiversity, hydropower impacts on regional rivers, deforestation, and climate policy.
• Health & Public Policy: Reporting on global health issues, medical research accuracy, and public health regulations.
• Science, Technology & R&D: Covering technological regulations, research policy, and scientific discoveries across South-East Europe.
• Democracy & Politics: Examining the intersection of scientific research, institutional governance, and public funding.

Network Projects

The BNSJ actively celebrates and elevates regional excellence in science journalism on the European stage. A prominent initiative of the network is its annual board selection process to nominate exceptional local reporters for the prestigious European Science Journalist of the Year awards. Through this mechanism, the network consistently highlights outstanding investigative work from the Balkans—ranging from deep-dives into environmental destruction and health misinformation to rigorous explorations of technology regulation—ensuring that regional science stories gain deserved recognition across Europe.

Contact
Website: https://balkansciencejournalists.wordpress.com/

Contact

Website: https://balkansciencejournalists.wordpress.com/
Email: balkansciencejournalists@gmail.com