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Applications Invited for Asia-Pacific Climate and Environmental Story Grants 2022
Organization: Earth Journalism Network (EJN)
Apply By: 06 Jun 2022
About the Organization
Internews initially developed the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in 2004 to enable journalists from developing countries to cover the environment more effectively. We are now a truly global network working with reporters and media outlets in virtually every region of the world. In our mission to improve the quantity and quality of environmental reporting, EJN trains journalists to cover a wide variety of issues, develops innovative online environmental news sites and produces content for local media – including ground-breaking investigative reports. We also establish networks of environmental journalists in countries where they don't exist and build their capacity where they do. We do so through workshops and the development of training materials and by offering Fellowship programs, grants to media organizations, story stipends, and support for story production and distribution. Watch the video above to learn more about our work.
About the Grant
Asia now accounts for almost half of global greenhouse gas emissions, even as its countries’ populations, environment and economies are most vulnerable to the impacts of the climate crisis.
Sea levels in Southeast Asia and the Pacific Islands are rising faster than any other part of the world. Megacities from Mumbai to Manila are increasingly vulnerable to flooding and subsidence exacerbated by unregulated development and infrastructure projects.
Meanwhile, the threats of drought and desertification are intensifying. Global warming is destabilizing fragile mountain ecosystems and coral reefs. According to a recent report by McKinsey Global Institute, up to 1 billion people in Asia could be living in areas that with a probability of lethal heat waves by 2050.
In the present day, the interconnected risks of depleting natural resources, poverty, food insecurity, health epidemics and conflict continue to grow. For instance, air pollution decimates pollinator populations which in turn impacts food security. No one dimension can be effectively addressed in isolation. Yet, there is a lack of nuanced and compelling reporting that elaborates on these linkages and investigates cross-sectoral drivers and impacts, as well as potential solutions.
Despite the scale of these crises, many media outlets in the region, especially local ones at the frontlines of these challenges, don’t have sufficient resources to cover them effectively or to dedicate reporters to environmental and climate coverage.
To meet this need, EJN will provide story grants and one-on-one mentorship to selected journalists in the Asia-Pacific region. Through this activity, EJN aims to increase the quality and quantity of environmental stories from the region; and build the capacity of local journalists to improve their coverage of climate and environmental topics.
These story grants are made possible with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). In addition to funding, selected journalists will receive support from experienced mentors through the story production process.
Story themes
EJN is pleased to offer up to 20 story grants of around USD 2,000 each to selected journalists from the Asia-Pacific to produce in-depth or investigative stories on environmental and climate issues in the region.
We are specifically seeking story pitches on cross-sectoral stories, especially stories that explore the impacts of environmental threats on other sectors.
Journalists may explore topics including (but not limited to):
- The disproportionate impacts of environmental degradation and climate change on women and other vulnerable groups (including the poor, youth, Indigenous Peoples, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities)
- The interdependence of the health and wellbeing of humans, animals, and their environments (such as zoonotic diseases, environmental contamination, antimicrobial resistance, etc) and One Health approaches to address these connected concerns in a multidisciplinary and integrated way
- Efforts to protect land and marine biodiversity from the impacts of logging, mining, fishing and other extractive activities
- The net zero transition: local, national and regional efforts to incentivize renewable energy and decarbonize economies
- Under-reported threats to wildlife, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience, and viable, potentially scalable solutions to counter these challenges
- Communities threatened by air and water pollution, displacement and/or rights violations
- On-the-ground challenges to implementing good governance measures, policies and regulations to manage waste, sustain natural resources and/or protect the environment
We aim to support the production of stories that raise awareness about environmental and climate issues, amplify the voices of those most impacted and drive meaningful conversation among communities and policymakers at the local, national, and regional level, bringing about positive change.
We encourage stories that report on potential solutions and highlight how vulnerable communities are responding to environmental challenges. We are interested in supporting stories that use relevant data to illustrate the issue in a compelling and easy-to-understand way.
Finally, we are looking for stories with the potential to address domestic or transboundary environmental concerns, which highlight avenues for regional cooperation to tackle climate change.
Issues that have already received a lot of media coverage or don't provide fresh angles to well-covered issues are less likely to be selected.
Eligibility
Journalists from countries within the Asia-Pacific region are welcome to apply. For the purposes of this grant call, we are accepting applications from South Asia (note that applicants from Pakistan would require an overseas bank account to receive grants), Southeast Asia, East Asia and the Pacific region but not Australia or New Zealand.
Groups of journalists, including from different countries, are eligible. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds on the group’s behalf, if awarded.
For the purposes of this grant opportunity, we will accept applications in English. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to consider applications in other languages at this time. Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or have a translator available to assist with communication with Internews staff.
Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio, multimedia) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. We welcome applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of reporting on environmental issues. We encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local and community-based.
EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.
Deadline
6 June 2022, 11:59 PM, (UTC -11)
For more information please check the Link
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