Deadline: 18-Jul-2025
The IUCN India is thrilled to launch the Stories of Hope Media Fellowship, a unique opportunity for eight passionate young journalists and storytellers eager to make a difference. This fellowship supports the documentation and sharing of powerful stories from the Indian Himalayan Region, highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions. It empowers fellows to become influential voices for Himalayan conservation by showcasing real stories that inspire change and spotlight innovative, local efforts.
Selected fellows will have the chance to create impactful work from the region and publish their stories on their own media platforms. The fellowship focuses on deepening media coverage of critical conservation issues like biodiversity, water conservation, climate change, sustainable livelihoods, and cultural heritage preservation. It also encourages collaboration between media professionals, conservation experts, and communities to ensure stories reflect local realities and spark effective action.
Thematic areas include forests and ecosystems, sustainable livelihoods, wildlife conservation, water resources, clean energy, urban resilience, and sustainable waste management. Cross-cutting themes such as climate change, nature-based solutions, gender, disaster risk reduction, and traditional knowledge are also emphasized.
Fellows will benefit from immersive field visits to conservation hotspots across 13 Himalayan states and union territories, gaining firsthand experience of environmental challenges and innovations. They will have access to exclusive data and resources from the Himalaya for Future programme, enriching their reporting with in-depth insights. The fellowship encourages creative freedom, welcoming original and bold storytelling approaches in formats like articles and photography.
Each fellow receives INR 70,000 to cover all related costs including travel, equipment, and fieldwork. They are expected to produce and publish one story of 1,000 to 1,500 words on a selected theme within four months, starting August 2025. The timeline allows for flexible research, drafting, and final submission phases.
Ideal applicants are Indian students, young journalists, and researchers aged 21 to 32, with at least two years of experience in environmental or development reporting. They should have a portfolio demonstrating consistent work in these areas and be actively engaged in journalism across print, digital, audio, or video platforms. Applications must be in English, though publishing in regional languages is encouraged. Preference is given to local storytellers familiar with their region, with women especially encouraged to apply.
Applications will be evaluated based on alignment with the fellowship’s themes, storytelling experience, originality and feasibility of the proposed pitch, creative potential, and commitment to the fellowship activities. Required materials include a personal statement, career goals, a writing sample, a pitch on one of the fellowship themes, references, and an updated CV. This fellowship is a powerful chance for young media professionals to amplify critical conservation stories and contribute to lasting positive change in the Himalayas.
For more information, visit IUCN.
