Achilles Data is a two-month course for aspiring journalists and media students from the Czech Republic and Slovakia with the aim of familiarizing participants with the basic tools, current trends and in-depth methods of modern investigative journalism.
The course is free of charge for successful candidates, costs associated with participation in the training (travel, accommodation) are covered by the Bakala Foundation.
Applications are now closed.
The Course
- This course accepts 3- to 5-member teams of students. (Exceptions are possible. The organiser reserves the right to form teams of registered individuals).
- Teams first undergo a three-day series of workshops held between October 13 and 15 in Prague
- Each team is assigned a mentor, whom the students consult with for the duration of the course
- Teams submit their final project by January 8, 2023; the project usually consists of an article plus interview and infographics
- The course ends with a final meeting (expected date: February 2023) during which the best project is chosen and participants receive a written evaluation of their work from the jury
2022 Program Mentors
Jana Ustohalová (Deník N)
David Klimeš (Aktuálně.cz)
Tereza Engelová (HlidaciPes.org)
Zuzana Petková (Nadácia Zastavme korupciu)
Xénia Makarová (Nadácia Zastavme korupciu)
Lukáš Diko (Investigatívne centrum Jána Kuciaka)
Michal Šverdík (Olomoucká Drbna)
2022 Program Speakers
Jan Boček (Český rozhlas)
Jan Cibulka (Český rozhlas)
Lukáš Diko (Investigatívne centrum Jána Kuciaka)
Justin Elliott (ProPublica)
Anna Gielewska (Fundacja Reporterow)
Tomáš Němeček
Jan Žabka (HlidaciPes.org)
The course is organized by the Bakala Foundation, the Czech Centre for Investigative Journalism and the Stop Corruption Foundation, with kind support of the U.S. Embassy in the Czech Republic.