Applications Invited for EJN Grants for Video Content Production and Distribution to Build Awareness About Renewable Energy in India

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About the Organization

Created in 2004, EJN is now a truly global network of reporters and media outlets in virtually every region of the world.

Environmental and climate change reporting is now more urgent than ever, but journalists face myriad and mounting challenges in covering these topics. The media industry is in crisis, and misinformation is on the rise. Reporters working for cash-strapped news agencies often don't have the resources to research a story properly; freelancers, even less so. That’s where EJN comes in.

Our mission: is to strengthen local journalism that serves communities and policymakers on the frontlines of climate and environmental crises, enabling them to shape solutions, hold power to account and demand action.

About the Grant

Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is inviting fellowship applications to boost video content production and distribution of information to build awareness about renewable energy in all states of India, with a focus on Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh.

Overview:

India is moving fast toward its goal to install 500 GW of electricity generation capacity through non-fossil sources by 2030, but challenges remain. The country needs investments of another ₹33 trillion ($390 billion) in the next five years—and less than a third of it is available domestically—but recent political changes in the US have cast a shadow on the possibility of international funding for clean energy.

The renewable energy (RE) that has already been rolled out currently contends with an outdated electricity grid, payment delays from distribution companies, uneven and frequently changing regulations, and limitations on land availability for large-scale projects. Ensuring a Just Transition, which would ensure alternative livelihoods for those in the fossil fuel industry, also remains a big challenge.

But there are innovative ways to overcome many of these obstacles, such as farming in between and beneath solar panels or decentralized RE that forms mini-grids and empowers women in villages across India or reskilling communities in coal-dependent sectors. 

To improve public awareness about India’s efforts to decarbonize and scale its renewable energy capacity in a just and equitable way, EJN is providing fellowships for the production of video content on policy, financing, payment and infrastructure hurdles—and effective solutions to overcome them.

We aim to support the production of video reports that raise awareness about the status of the renewable energy sector and strategies to ensure its growth in India in all states, but especially in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. EJN's aim is to improve access to quality information among policymakers, project developers, investors and consumers. Selected communicators will be paired with mentors who will provide guidance and support to strengthen their capacity to cover RE. Proposals that focus on topics that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of coverage or don't provide unique angles to challenges are less likely to be selected.

Story themes:

We welcome proposals that may cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• The pace of RE rollout in one of the four states—Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh
• Challenges of financing RE and how communities/businesses/governments are overcoming them (if at all)
• RE challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and/or solutions to mitigate these challenges
• The economic and social impact of RE on local communities and ways in which challenges can be overcome
• The industries working on RE transition (such as technicians, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, factories, etc.)
• The issue of just transition
• Developments in clean energy storage technologies
• Besides pitches on solar and wind energy, we encourage proposals to report on new biofuels and the role they can play in the move toward a cleaner economy, with a focus on ethanol as transport fuel; and
• The promise of green hydrogen, the issues involved in scaling this technology, and ways to overcome these challenges

Content logistics:

• EJN will provide remuneration and mentorship to each selected applicant, depending on the proposal and budget provided by the applicant. The budget should cover reporting and production costs amounting to a maximum of ₹2.75 lakh for a video of around 8 minutes in length. Applicants can also propose a series of shorter videos within the same total budget limit.
• Selected applicants will be required to execute a fellowship agreement with EJN for creation, development and publication of the content. We plan to select fellows and create agreements by June 16, with the expectation that all content must be published by October 31, 2025 at the latest. Applicants should consider this timeline when drafting their work plan.

Eligibility

Proposals from all states in India are eligible, but proposals that shed light on the RE situation in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh will be prioritized.

Groups of content producers 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 as remuneration on the group’s behalf, if awarded.

For the purposes of this opportunity, we will be accepting applications in English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil.

Applications are open to India-based video content producers with a demonstrated interest in covering the RE sector. Applicants are encouraged to share previous video reports they’ve completed on RE or similar topics in their application. In an effort to ensure equal opportunities and a diversity of voices, we especially encourage applications from women, youth, and members of Indigenous and/or ethnic minority communities.

We are seeking applications from freelancers and staff from all types of outlets—international, national, local and community-based.

How to Apply

As part of the application, applicants will be asked to provide:

• Storyboard or treatment
• Letter of support
• Safety
• Budget
• Work samples
• Republication rights

Application Deadline: May 30, 2025, 11:59 PM (Asia/Kolkata)

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Journalism/ Reporting Liberal Arts Others