Selection of journalists mentees for establishing Micro-Centers of Investigative Journalism (MCIJ) in the poor investigative journalism regions (based on the defined criteria for location of MCIJ and developed terms of reference for functioning of MCIJ).

The selection of local journalists mentees is conducted in the framework of implementation of the Project "Empowering Civil Society and Journalists in Oversight and Promotion of Effective Anti-corruption Environment Project", implemented by CSO Anti-corruption Action Center in partnership with Nashi Groshi NGO and with the financial support from the World Bank. The comprehensive initiative aims to strengthen anti-corruption sector in Ukraine and includes coordinating the network of investigative journalists and activists of Ukraine; establishing Micro-Centers of Investigative Journalism in the poor investigative journalism regions; development of video lessons and tutorship for investigative journalists and activists; establishment of cooperation with local authorities and representatives of the law enforcement bodies through meetings and sharing information. Geographical criterion Oblast centers or cities with more than 200,000 inhabitants (e.g. Kryvyi Rih, Mariupol, Kamyanske, Kremenchuk, Bila Tserkva). Creative criteria 1. Lack of effective centers of journalistic investigations in the selected city. Applications from the cities with strong investigative journalism (such as Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia, Rivne, Lutsk) will not be considered. 2. The partner media resource must have a good reputation in the region 3. The partner media resource must have existed for at least two years Organizational criterion 1. The management of the partner media resource is interested in cooperation and signs therefore a joint memorandum with "Nashi Groshi". In particular, it confirms the lack of censorship in future cooperation and the aspiration of advocacy activities towards the anti-corruption reforms in the region 2. The management of the media resource shall financially support the selected journalists of the joint project, in addition to the payments made by "Nashi Groshi ". The share of NG is approximately 2/3 of the journalist's salary, the editorial office - not less than 1/3. 3. "Nashi Groshi money" has a decisive influence on the replacement of project participants in case of their inefficiency. 4. The management of the media resource together with the Kyiv project participants and local authorities are conducting at least one major event to find a solution to local problems. During the current activity, the project participants not only describe the real state of affairs, but also suggest solutions to the problem. Minimum requirements for each project participant: 1. At least 4 hours a day to perform the tasks of the editorial office "Nashi Groshi"; 2. Other tasks set by the local editorial office should be within the general context of the journalist's activity: work with public finances, analysis of local government activities, etc.; 3. Quick learning how to use at least 10 state registers based on materials provided by NG 4. Study of in-depth monitoring of information on procurement, construction, land, court decisions, executive committees and sessions of local councils (with the study of the most commonly used corruption schemes in other regions); 5. Writing at least 12 deep analytical news pieces or four big analytical texts a month with exclusive information on corruption-related topics. One large analytical text equals three news items. Evaluation criteria for project participants: Experience in economic or social journalism (20%) Level of media with which the candidate will cooperate (40%) Quality of previously published materials (40%) Additional points: experience in investigative journalism (20%) Additionally: In the first year of project implementation, preferably two journalists from the same city will be selected to set up a local micro-investigation center, and one journalist from another city, who is creating a base for the future micro-center next year.