The Bertha Accelerator Istanbul Application Form 2025

This 10-day international residency brings together changemakers (activists, storytellers, journalists, artists, and civil society actors) who are eager to deepen their impact through storytelling. Whether you're leading a campaign, experimenting with new formats, or just starting to explore narrative work, this residency is a space to connect, reflect, and create.

Theme: Storytelling in the Changing Landscape of Civil Society

Together, we'll explore how to craft hopeful, ethical, and strategic narratives that counter disinformation, inspire action, and build solidarity in a rapidly shifting world.

[EXTENDED] Deadline to apply: 11 July 2025 (23:59 GMT)

Before you begin:

Please review the detailed concept note to make sure the residency is a good fit for your interests and availability. You can check out last year’s Cape Town edition here.
The program will be held in person in Istanbul, and full attendance is required.

For any questions, feel free to contact our team at accelerator@postane.co

We look forward to learning more about you!

Full Name*

NameSurname

E-mail*

example@example.com

Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Help us understand the diversity of our cohort

We recognize the importance of creating a diverse cohort and are aware of the prevailing inequalities in accessing opportunities. We strongly encourage applications from women, people of minority genders, people of color and minority ethnic backgrounds. Your responses are voluntary and will only be used for internal reflection on inclusivity and representation.

Which of the following best describes your gender? This is an optional question

FemaleMalePrefer not to sayOther

How do you describe your race and ethnicity?

This is an optional question

Nationality

This is an optional question

Country of Residence

This is an optional question

Why are you applying for this opportunity?*

0/150

What are the specific storytelling challenges you’re currently facing in your movement, community, or context?*

Think about changes or tensions in your local civil society landscape, how narratives are shaped, or barriers to reaching your audience. Where do you feel stuck, or excited to experiment?0/150

What movement, network, or organization are you connected with? How do you imagine this residency will benefit your ongoing work or community?*

0/150

Do you have a specific project or storytelling concept you would like to develop during the residency? If not, tell us about a cause, question, or issue you'd like to explore.*

You may include ideas around format (e.g. podcast, short video, zine), platform (e.g. Instagram, local radio), or goal (e.g. challenging harmful narratives, building solidarity).0/150

What knowledge, skill, or perspective can you share with others during the residency?*

For example, maybe you can share how to edit short-form videos, host a community podcast, or screen your short film and discuss it.0/150

What are you hoping to learn, explore, or stretch into through this residency?*

Especially if you're new to storytelling or trying a new format, we’d love to hear what you're curious about.0/150

What interests you about being part of this residency in Istanbul?*

This could be cultural, historical, political, or something more personal.0/150

Have you participated in any similar residencies or storytelling/media programs?*

Please list the name(s) of the program(s), the organizer(s), and the year(s) you participated. If none, write "n/a".0/150

Want to show us more?

Share links to any relevant work - this could be a portfolio, short film, article, social media account, campaign page, or anything else that gives us a sense of your creative or activist practice.0/150

Are you comfortable participating in workshops and group discussions in English?*

YesNo

The programme is only open for in person attendance. Can you attend the residency in person in Istanbul, Turkey, from 16-26 August 2025?*

YesNo

Do you require a visa to enter Turkey, and if so, are you confident you can obtain it in time for the program?*

I do not require a visa.I require a visa and am confident I can obtain it within programs timeframe.I require a visa but am unsure if I can obtain it in time.

What is your participant category?*

Bertha Challenge Fellow or AlumniSponsored Participant (an organization is covering my residency costs)Independent Applicant (I will cover the $3,000 fee and travel costs)

Please name the organization sponsoring your residency costs.*

Include the full name of the organization and, if relevant, the contact person.

Thank you for applying!

We will review your application and get back to you via the email address you provided.