Deadline: 17-Jun-2026
The COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program, organized by the Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, provides a fully supported opportunity for journalists and creator journalists from low- and middle-income countries to cover the 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. The fellowship supports climate journalism, policy reporting, and storytelling on climate impacts and solutions through travel funding, mentorship, editorial guidance, networking opportunities, and direct access to global climate negotiations.
Selected fellows will attend the full two-week COP31 summit, receive reporting support from experienced climate journalists, and produce impactful stories that improve public understanding of climate change, climate policy, and international climate action.
Overview
The COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program is designed to strengthen climate journalism by supporting reporters from low- and middle-income countries who are interested in covering one of the world’s most important climate policy events.
The fellowship enables journalists to report directly from COP31, gain access to global climate discussions, engage with policymakers and experts, and produce high-quality reporting on climate change, environmental challenges, and climate solutions.
The program also aims to improve media capacity, encourage international collaboration among journalists, and amplify voices from regions most affected by climate change.
Fellowship Details
- Program: COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program
- Organizers: Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and Stanley Center for Peace and Security
- Event: 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31)
- Location: Antalya, Türkiye
- Duration: Full two-week COP31 conference
- Fellowship type: Fully supported climate reporting fellowship
- Target participants: Journalists and creator journalists from low- and middle-income countries
Fellowship Objectives
The fellowship seeks to strengthen climate reporting and improve public understanding of climate-related issues.
Key objectives include:
- Supporting climate change journalism
- Enhancing reporting on global climate negotiations
- Building media capacity in developing countries
- Promoting evidence-based climate storytelling
- Expanding coverage of climate impacts and solutions
- Encouraging international journalistic collaboration
- Increasing public awareness of climate policy developments
- Strengthening reporting on environmental sustainability
- Supporting professional development for climate journalists
Key Focus Areas
Applicants are encouraged to pursue stories related to:
- Climate change impacts
- Climate policy and governance
- International climate negotiations
- Environmental sustainability
- Adaptation and resilience
- Climate finance
- Renewable energy
- Loss and damage
- Nature-based solutions
- Climate justice
- Sustainable development
- Community responses to climate change
- Science and innovation
- Global climate commitments
Fellowship Benefits
Selected fellows will receive comprehensive support to attend and report from COP31.
Benefits include:
- Non-refundable economy-class airfare
- Accommodation during the conference
- Meals support
- Travel medical insurance
- Ground transportation related to fellowship activities
- Visa reimbursement
- Small stipend for meals and incidental expenses
- Editorial support and mentorship
- Access to climate reporting resources
- Networking opportunities
- Interviews with policymakers and experts
- Participation in workshops and briefing sessions
The fellowship is designed to remove financial barriers and enable journalists to focus on producing high-quality reporting.
Editorial Support and Mentorship
One of the strongest components of the fellowship is the extensive editorial and professional support provided to participants.
Fellows will receive:
- Pre-conference virtual training workshops
- Daily briefings during COP31
- Mentorship from experienced climate journalists
- Story development support
- Access to reporting resources
- Guidance on climate policy coverage
- Opportunities for collaborative reporting
This support helps fellows navigate the complexity of international climate negotiations and produce impactful stories.
Networking Opportunities
Participants will have opportunities to engage with:
- Climate policy experts
- Government representatives
- International organizations
- Researchers and scientists
- Civil society organizations
- Environmental advocates
- Fellow journalists from around the world
Networking activities help fellows expand professional relationships and build long-term collaborations.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Climate change is one of the most significant global challenges of the 21st century. Journalists play a critical role in translating complex climate negotiations into accessible information for the public.
This fellowship is important because it:
- Strengthens climate journalism in developing countries
- Improves public understanding of climate policies
- Elevates voices from climate-vulnerable regions
- Encourages evidence-based reporting
- Supports informed public discourse
- Expands international media collaboration
- Builds long-term reporting capacity
The program helps ensure that climate stories are reported accurately, responsibly, and from diverse perspectives.
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
- Be a professional journalist or creator journalist
- Represent an established media organization or platform
- Be based in an eligible low- or middle-income country
- Have previous experience reporting on climate change or environmental issues
- Possess a good command of English
- Be available to attend the full two weeks of COP31 in Antalya
- Have not previously attended a UNFCCC Climate COP in person
- Demonstrate clear reporting plans for COP31
Eligibility for Freelancers
Freelance journalists may also apply.
Freelancers must provide:
- Evidence of professional journalism experience
- A signed commitment letter from a media organization
- Confirmation that fellowship-produced stories will be published or broadcast
This requirement ensures that reporting generated through the fellowship reaches a wider audience.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following materials:
- Updated resume or CV
- Video presentation of no more than two minutes
- Letter of support from an editor, producer, or supervisor
The video should clearly explain:
- Proposed reporting plans
- Intended story angles
- Why the applicant is interested in covering COP31
- How the reporting will benefit audiences
The support letter must confirm that stories produced through the fellowship will be published or broadcast by an established media outlet.
How the Fellowship Works
Step 1: Prepare Your Story Proposal
Identify climate-related issues, policy discussions, or reporting themes you intend to cover during COP31.
Step 2: Create the Required Video
Record a concise video explaining:
- Your reporting objectives
- Planned story ideas
- Expected impact of your reporting
Step 3: Obtain Editorial Support
Request a support letter from:
- Editor
- Producer
- Supervisor
- Partner media organization
The letter should confirm publication or broadcast commitments.
Step 4: Submit Application Materials
Complete the application and upload all required documents before the deadline.
Step 5: Selection Process
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Climate reporting experience
- Story proposal quality
- Reporting potential
- Audience reach
- Commitment to climate journalism
Step 6: Participate in Fellowship Activities
Selected fellows will attend pre-conference training, travel to Antalya, participate in COP31, and receive ongoing editorial support.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Demonstrate strong climate reporting experience
- Present unique and compelling story ideas
- Explain the relevance of your proposed coverage
- Highlight audience impact
- Show understanding of climate policy issues
- Create a clear and engaging video presentation
- Obtain a strong editorial support letter
- Focus on stories with regional or global significance
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting a vague reporting proposal
- Failing to explain story relevance
- Providing incomplete application materials
- Submitting a weak or generic support letter
- Exceeding the video time limit
- Not demonstrating previous climate reporting experience
- Overlooking publication commitments
- Failing to explain audience impact
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship?
It is a climate journalism fellowship that supports journalists from low- and middle-income countries to attend and report on COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye.
What expenses are covered?
The fellowship covers airfare, accommodation, travel insurance, transportation related to fellowship activities, visa reimbursement, and a stipend for meals and incidental expenses.
Can freelance journalists apply?
Yes. Freelancers are eligible but must provide a signed commitment letter from a media organization agreeing to publish or broadcast their fellowship-related reporting.
Do applicants need prior climate reporting experience?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate previous experience covering climate change or environmental issues.
Can journalists who previously attended a UN climate COP apply?
No. Applicants must not have attended a UNFCCC Climate COP in person before.
Is English proficiency required?
Yes. Applicants should have a good command of English to participate effectively in fellowship activities and reporting opportunities.
What documents are required?
Applicants must submit a CV or resume, a two-minute video explaining their reporting plans, and a letter of support from an editor, producer, supervisor, or media outlet.
Conclusion
The COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program offers a valuable opportunity for journalists and creator journalists from low- and middle-income countries to strengthen their climate reporting skills while covering one of the world’s most influential climate events. Through comprehensive travel support, mentorship, editorial guidance, and direct access to global climate negotiations, the fellowship empowers journalists to produce impactful stories that inform public understanding of climate change, climate policy, and sustainable solutions. For reporters seeking to expand their expertise in environmental journalism and contribute to global climate discourse, this fellowship provides an exceptional platform for professional growth and international engagement.
For more information, visit EJN.
