b° local
Paving the way to success with solutions journalism
The innovation program “b° local – With Solutions-Oriented Journalism to Success” runs for ten months and begins in March 2026. In cooperation with the Association of German Local Newspapers and Local Media (VDL) and the Swiss Media Publishers Association (VSM), the Bonn Institute offers a limited number of German-speaking local newsrooms the opportunity to tackle the challenges of digitalization at the content level. Participants will learn and deepen the craft of solutions-oriented reporting. A manageable group size ensures intensive knowledge transfer and networking. The ZEIT STIFTUNG BUCERIUS is providing full funding for four teams to participate in the 2026 program.
b° local 2026
We’re excited to welcome the 2026 cohort!
Welcome aboard:
Hanauer Anzeiger
Schwetzinger Zeitung
Offenbach Post
Lausitzer Rundschau
Märkische Oderzeitung
Mitteldeutsche Zeitung
Volksstimme
Thüringer Allgemeine Zeitung
Mannheimer Morgen
Rheintaler
Werdenberger & Obertoggenburger
The next b° local program will start in March 2026.
Last call: Get informed now and apply by February 26.
If the pop-up window doesn’t open, please send an email to b-local@bonn-institute.org.
Project partners
VDL
The Association of German Local Newspapers and Local Media (VDL), with its approximately 70 members, is dedicated to promoting and supporting local journalism in rural areas. Various VDL publishers are collaborating under the leadership of the Bonn Institute and uniten for b° local, which enhances and strengthens reader loyalty, positive perception, and the relevance of the local media landscape.
VSM
The Swiss Media Publishers Association (VSM) is the industry organization representing private media companies in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. Its members publish around 300 newspapers and magazines and operate digital news platforms as well as electronic media services. Through its cooperation with the Bonn Institute and the b° local program, the VSM is strategically expanding its commitment to local media — with a special focus on their specific needs for successful further development.
The Bonn Institute
The Bonn Institute is the center of excellence for innovative and constructive journalism in the DACH region. Since 2022, it has been teaching user-oriented journalism practices that help newsrooms develop their journalism in line with the needs of their audiences. Shareholders of the nonprofit institute include the Rheinische Post Media Group and RTL Deutschland, among others.
The project with the Bonn Institute was a valuable experience for the newsroom. It meant more work, but it was worth it. Now we often look beyond our city limits and even abroad to explore the solutions that are out there. Sometimes they aren't even far away — in our case, just a trip to the Netherlands can provide valuable insights. We ask ourselves what solutions exist and constantly learn new related things. My tip: Never forget that you're writing for an audience that is strongly focused on Mönchengladbach.
Concept & scope of services
Studies and user analyses have consistently conveyed a clear message for years: The path to success in journalism lies in content that provides genuine added value to users. If local journalism fails to process and narrate the major issues of our time in a way that connects to the lived realities of people on the ground, it risks becoming irrelevant. Additionally, a repetitive focus on problems offers little value and is challenging to monetize.
However, newsrooms that prioritize solutions-oriented coverage report increased user engagement and more intensive usage. These effects were measured in the project "Solution Journalism in Local Contexts," implemented by the Bonn Institute in cooperation with Rheinische Post. Such approaches hold immense potential, especially for subscription models.
Building on these insights, the program b° local, which was developed by VDL, the Bonn Institute, and uniten, equips newsrooms for local reporting that benefits both audiences and publishers alike.
The b° local program includes the following services:
- Kick-off call for editors-in-chief and management (2 hours, online)
- Joint intensive workshop (1.5 days in person) for project teams, including a deep dive into solutions-oriented reporting
- Ten-month intensive training in solutions-oriented journalism
- Digital check-ins (every 3 weeks, 90 minutes each) for knowledge sharing and exchange of experiences
- Digital learning environment for group interaction and collaboration
- Regular consultation hours to address open questions
- Two individual coaching sessions per team
- Networking event at the b° future festival 2026
- Toolbox for sharing acquired knowledge within your newsroom
- Newsroom visits and on-the-job coaching (optional)
Project timeline & key dates
Project timeline
- Kick-off Call for editors-in-chief and management (2 hours, online): Introduction to the program, solutions journalism, and monetization.
- Intensive Workshop for participants from editorial, distribution, and user analytics teams (1.5 days in person): Introduction to solutions-oriented local journalism, exploring the connection between solutions journalism and conversion, retention, and engagement, as well as defining editorial focus areas.
- Digital Check-ins (every 3 weeks, 90 minutes each): Modular, practice-oriented knowledge transfer, text work and analysis, and peer exchange. Digital follow-ups to ensure sustainable transformation success.
- Optional: Newsroom visits and one-on-one coaching sessions by senior advisors from the Bonn Institute.
- Presentation: Final workshop and in-person presentation of results.
- Project Conclusion: Documentation of key learnings in the form of a toolbox.
Participants
The ten-month innovation program b° local is aimed at local publishers who want to align their offerings more closely with audience needs, improve digital subscription retention, and reach new target groups. Each team may include up to three participants. At least one team member should be based in the editorial department. Editors-in-chief and publishing management will be actively involved in the program to ensure its long-term success.
Duration
The innovation program “b° local – With Solutions-Oriented Journalism to Success” runs for ten months and begins in February 2025. Participation is limited. Participating publishers pay a monthly fee per team. Discounted spots are reserved for titles that are members of the Association of Local Newspapers and Local Media or the Swiss Media Publishers Association.
Project team
Peter Lindner
Head of Innovation and Dialogue
Peter Lindner worked at the German national daily Süddeutsche Zeitung for a long time, spending almost 12 years as head of the politics section and more than six years as deputy editor-in-chief of SZ.de. He worked intensively on new approaches in journalism and developed several digital formats and projects, such as the SZ discussion project "Werkstatt Demokratie" (democracy workshop). Most recently, he worked on the "Listen Louder Project" at the Constructive Institute, housed at Denmark's University of Aarhus, where he researched approaches to how journalism can promote constructive dialogue in society. He studied political science, sociology and psychology in Munich and Bradford, UK.
peter.lindner@bonn-institute.org
Christine Badke
Deputy Head of Innovation and Dialogue
Christine Badke began her journalistic career in local journalism and experienced firsthand how essential proximity, trust and reliability are to the relationship between newsrooms and their audiences. In leadership roles at the regional newspaper Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, she helped develop user-centered formats as well as new forms of communication, participation and audience engagement. A central focus of her work is the question of how independent journalism can remain relevant, both for democratic discourse and for the kind of success that secures the future of journalism. She supports newsrooms in integrating innovation into everyday work and in understanding trust, diversity of perspectives and solution-oriented approaches as strategic resources.
christine.badke@bonn-institute.org
Stéphanie Barsch
Senior Consultant
Stéphanie Barsch is a journalist and consultant with more than 20 years of newsroom experience. She advises media companies across Europe, including Funke, Ringier, Axel Springer and DMG. She previously served as a strategic partner manager at Meta, where she was responsible for partnerships with media organizations in the DACH and BENELUX regions. Before that, Stéphanie held various roles at Axel Springer, working in editorial as well as marketing and product development. Most recently, she was a member of the BILD editorial leadership team, where she was responsible for the brand's premium products.
Daniela Braun
Advisor to Executive Management, VDL
Daniela Braun has more than 20 years of experience in media, including positions at radio stations 103.4 Energy and Radio B2 and television broadcasters MTV and JOIZ. The VDL, where she currently works, is like a second home to her: Over the past ten years, she has been passionately committed to supporting VDL members, small and medium-sized local newspapers and local media outlets. As advisor to VDL's executive management, her responsibilities include planning and implementing digital training and professional development programs, as well as organizing the annual VDL industry conference. She currently also leads projects related to media and democracy education.