NextGen AI Leaders Program

A hybrid executive programme designed to empower young media leaders, intrapreneurs, and first‑time managers in small and mid‑size news organisations across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa (EMEA). Participants learn to prototype, test, and deploy AI responsibly to solve newsroom and management challenges, strengthen journalism, and build trust.

Benefits include:

• Tuition‑free training (no cost to participants)
• 8 weekly online sessions + project work
• In‑person kick‑off in Frankfurt (April 14–15, 2026)
• Mid‑point session in Marseille (May 31–June 1, 2026)
• Closing session with project presentations (June 30, 2026)
• Mentorship and peer networking across EMEA newsrooms

• Age 25–40
• Employed in a leadership role at a small/mid‑size news publisher
• Organisation must be a WAN‑IFRA member (or join before programme start)
• Endorsement from a top manager or senior executive required
• Spoken and written working proficiency in English
• Commitment: ~3 hours per week (virtual + project work)
• Formal Letter of Commitment required upon acceptance
• Cohort limited to 24 participants
• Working (full-time or part-time)
• Entrepreneur