APPLY for Internews’ Earth Journalism Network 2022 Virtual Reporting Fellowships to the UNCCD COP15

Application Deadline: 25 March 2022

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network is pleased to announce a virtual fellowship program that will support selected African journalists to cover the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) taking place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in May 2022.

The UNCCD COP15 will be a key gathering to review progress made to control and reverse further loss of productive land from desertification, land degradation and drought. The theme for this year’s event — ‘Land. Life. Legacy: From scarcity to prosperity’ — is a call to action to ensure land, the lifeline on this planet, continues to benefit present and future generations.

A mix of representatives from national, regional, and local governments, science and research communities, the private sector, international and non-governmental organizations and all forms of media are expected to address these issues during the two-week event, which is scheduled to take place from 9-20 May 2022.

Eligibility Requirements
To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must:

• Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from a low- or middle-income country in Africa;
• Be of African citizenship;
• Have a good command of the English language;
• Have previous experience reporting on desertification and degradation issues, and can clearly indicate the kinds of stories they might pursue during the conference;
• Be available between 7-20 May 2022;
• Commit to participate in all Fellowship activities;
• Provide a letter of support from an editor, producer or supervisor who can confirm that your news reports will be published or broadcast in an established media outlet. Freelancers are welcome to apply, but must provide a letter of support from a media outlet for which they intend to report.

Benefits

• Ten African journalists will be awarded virtual fellowships and receive training, mentorship, and other support to facilitate remote reporting on this important event.
• Internews’ Earth Journalism Network are particularly keen to hear from journalists with a background in reporting on land use, or any of the other key issues relevant to the conference.
• Selected fellows will have the opportunity to engage with their fellowship cohort and share knowledge and ideas for effective reporting on the issues. They will benefit from a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation workshop, daily briefings, mentoring, and interviews and sessions with high level officials. Veteran regional journalists will provide valuable insight into the proceedings from on the ground in Abidjan, as well as tools, resources, editing and guidance as needed to support fellows story production.
• All fellows will also receive a communications stipend, to ensure that they have consistent access to the virtual activities of the fellowship.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Earth Journalism Network 2022 Virtual Reporting Fellowships