Deadline: 30-Apr-22
Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering 12 reporting grants to support the production of in-depth stories that will call attention to critical environmental issues in the Pacific region.
EJN is pleased to offer up to 12 story grants to selected journalists from the Pacific Islands to produce in-depth or investigative stories on environmental and climate issues in the region. It is expected that at least six of these stories will be focused on ocean issues, such as efforts and solutions to protect the ocean, ways to increase ocean’s resilience to climate change and regulate sustainable use of its resources.
EJN aims to support the production of stories that raise awareness about ocean issues in the Pacific region, and drive conversation among communities and policy makers at the local, national, and regional level, bringing about positive change for a sustainable future for all Pacific Islanders.
Journalists may explore questions such as (but not limited to):
- How important is ocean health in the fight against climate change? What can be done to ensure they are keeping the oceans healthy?
- What environmental policies or strategies in place to protect and manage the oceans and coastal regions of the Pacific Islands? What are important next steps?
- What is being done to ensure that commitments to ocean restoration are followed by action and not just talk? How can Pacific governments, NGOs and the private sector “walk the talk?”
- How can proactive measures be taken to protect the ocean? What are success stories of people taking a leadership role in this space?
- How are early-warning systems and disaster mitigation being adapted to account for climate change and increasingly severe weather? What actions are Pacific leaders taking to protect the environment and lives of their people? What more needs to be done?
- What is being done to balance economic growth driven by mining, fishing and other resource-dependent industries with protections for land and marine biodiversity?
- Are there ongoing efforts towards adaptation, mitigation and building resilience that deserve more coverage? What lessons can be shared with other island nations?
- What are opportunities to shift livelihoods away from being dependent on industries that are damaging to the environment?
- How are people who have changed livelihoods or migrated to avoid climate change’s effects – particularly fishing communities – adjusting? What do their lives look like?
- How are women and other vulnerable groups (including youth, indigenous people, ethnic minorities, the poor) impacted by climate and changes to the ocean in the region, and how are they mitigating this change?
Funding Information
- EJN expects to award 12 grants of up to US$1000 each.
- EJN plans to issue grants in April with the expectation that all stories will be published by August 31, 2022 at the latest. Applicants should consider this timeline when drafting their workplan.
Eligibility Criteria
- Journalists from the Pacific Islands are welcome to apply.
- Groups of journalists 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, they will only be accepting applications in English. Unfortunately, they 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) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. They welcome applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of reporting on environmental issues. They encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, and community-based. They are especially interested in stories that will be published in local media outlets across the Pacific Islands.
- EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.
For more information, visit https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/pacific-islands-story-grants-strengthening-reporting-on-the-ocean-in-the-pacific
