The Council of Europe Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression is launching a new Training Programme on Access to Information in the Context of Freedom of Expression. This comprehensive programme is designed for three professional audiences: legal professionals (including judges, prosecutors, and lawyers), civil servants responsible for managing access to information, as well as journalists and media professionals.

The course is modular and interactive, structured to be adaptable to national contexts. It draws upon leading European standards, in particular the Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights and the Council of Europe Convention on Access to Official Documents (Tromsø Convention), as well as relevant national legal frameworks. This training material is meant to be delivered through a dual-trainer approach, ensuring both international and domestic perspectives are addressed, combining expertise in European case law and country-specific legislation.

Content and practical exercises are tailored to the professional realities of each group. Legal professionals engage in advanced case law analysis and the balancing of access to information and privacy rights. Civil servants focus on best administrative practice, handling requests, and proactive transparency. Journalists and media actors request and use official information in responsible journalism and public interest reporting.

The methodology includes lectures, case studies, facilitated discussions, and hands-on exercises to ensure active engagement and practical relevance for all participants. The Training Programme supports Training-of-Trainers sessions, enabling cascade training to reach wider audiences.

The training materials are public and can be used by everyone. To maintain quality and coherence, the users are only requested to inform the Council of Europe of how/when/by whom the materials will be used, acknowledge the Council of Europe as the source, and involve certified trainers, who could be trained through the Council of Europe training programmes.

Authorities and institutions in Council of Europe member States are invited to contact the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression for support in organisation of the training sessions.

These materials were developed within the framework of the Regional Action “Protecting freedom of expression and of the media in the Western Balkans (PROFREX)”, implemented by the Division for Cooperation on Freedom of Expression of the Council of Europe. PROFREX Action is part of the joint European Union and the Council of Europe programme “Horizontal Facility for the Western Balkans and Türkiye”.