NOW OPEN: African Women in the Media Africa Environment Reporting Programme for women journalists

African Women in the Media (AWIM) is a network for African women working in media industries anywhere globally. 

AWiM is calling for pitches that will call attention to the gendered aspect of environmental issues in Africa.

We are particularly interested in in-depth stories that explore environmental solutions with a focus on any of the 12 elements of the African Green Stimulus Program.

Journalists could also highlight the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, waste management and other issues related to the broader ecological challenges in Africa which affect women.

Pitches that focus on stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. So be on the lookout for issues that provide unique gendered angles to environmental challenges. Topics that have widely been covered are less likely to be selected.  

Journalists commissioned to produce stories will have access to training by AWiM. These are Solutions Approach to Environmental Reporting, produced in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network; [The focus will be on story slices and story forms].

Eligibility

• Applicants must be women journalists based in Africa. Applicants can be from any country in Africa. For the purposes of this reporting grant opportunity, we will only be accepting applications in English.
• Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or be able to translate their work.
• Pitches are open to women journalists working in any medium (e.g. online, print, television, radio etc.) and other media practitioners with a history of covering environmental beat. Pitches from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organisations – international, national, local and community-based are encouraged. Where you are staff of a media organisation, please indicate in your pitch if your organisation would like to co-publish your story.

Ten pitches will be selected each month, so if you do not hear from us, do not be discouraged.

Benefits

• Commission fee is USD 100 per story.

How to pitch

• All pitches must be no more than 250 words.
• It should highlight the key issue you want to focus on, why it is relevant to the programme, the extent to which it is under reported, and what the gender angle is.
• Also indicate why you are the right person to report it and the access you already have.

All pitches for this grant should be sent to  [email protected] 

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the AWiM Africa Environment Reporting Programme 2022