As part of the implementation of the Council of Europe’s Journalists Matter campaign, a comprehensive academic syllabus entitled “Working as a Journalist in a Hazardous Environment” was developed in 2025 for the Mohyla School of Journalism at the National University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”. The course aims to equip future journalists with the knowledge and practical skills required to work safely in conflict zones, occupied territories, areas of civil unrest and other high-risk environments.

The seven-week programme combines theoretical and practical training on international standards for the protection of journalists, risk assessment and safety planning, physical safety protocols, first aid in extreme conditions, trauma-informed journalism, psychological resilience, legal risks, gender-specific threats, and digital security. Students are also trained in tactical first aid based on the MARCH framework, source protection, secure communications and ethical decision-making in crisis situations.

The syllabus was developed with the support of the Council of Europe project “Safeguarding Freedom of Expression and Freedom of Media in Ukraine – Phase II” (SFEM-UA Phase II) and contributes to the implementation of the Council of Europe Action Plan for Ukraine “Resilience, Recovery and Reconstruction” 2023–2026. The initiative aims to strengthen long-term resilience and safety capacities among future generations of journalists.