Virtual Media Workshop on Mining, Environment and Human Rights Reporting in Africa

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is inviting journalists and social media content creators from Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Africa to apply for a three-day virtual media workshop on mining, environmental and human rights reporting. The workshop will take place from November 3–5, 2026, with up to 40 participants receiving practical training, networking opportunities, and potential priority consideration for future US$2,000 story grants.

Earth Journalism Network Media Workshop 2026

The workshop is organised under EJN’s Strengthening African Journalists’ Capacity to Report on Mining, Environment and Human Rights project.

The programme aims to strengthen the ability of African journalists and content creators to investigate and report on issues connected to the extractive sector, environmental degradation, human rights, land rights, and community impacts.

The workshop will be conducted online through Zoom and will run for three consecutive days. Training sessions will last up to three hours each day.

What Does the Workshop Focus On?

The training will provide practical knowledge and reporting techniques covering:

Environmental impacts of different mining activities.
Mining-related pollution, contamination and environmental data.
Land rights and displacement of communities.
Human rights issues associated with mining and extractive industries.
Investigative journalism techniques.
Physical safety when reporting on sensitive issues.
Digital safety and protection of journalists.
Research and analysis of mining-related information.
Reporting on affected communities and vulnerable groups.

Participants will learn from researchers, environmental scientists, mining law specialists, human rights advocates, civil society organisations and community representatives working on mining and environmental issues across Africa.

Who Can Apply?

The workshop is open to journalists and social media content creators who meet the programme requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

Be based in Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, or South Africa.
Have experience covering mining, environmental issues and/or human rights.
Work in online, print, television or radio media.
Be freelance journalists or staff members of media organisations.
Be able to participate in the workshop in English or French.
Have a working understanding of English or French sufficient to participate fully.

EJN particularly encourages applications from:

Women journalists.
Rural journalists.
Indigenous journalists.
Early-career journalists.
Journalists reporting from communities affected by mining and environmental issues.

Workshop Dates and Format

The key details of the media workshop are:

Workshop dates: November 3–5, 2026.
Format: Online.
Platform: Zoom.
Duration: Three days.
Daily training: Up to three hours.
Number of participants: Up to 40.
Training languages: English and French.
Interpretation: Simultaneous interpretation will be provided.
Notification date: Successful applicants are expected to be notified by October 2, 2026.

A limited number of communications stipends will also be available for participants living in remote areas with unstable internet connectivity.

What Will Participants Receive?

Selected participants will receive more than just workshop training.

Participants who successfully attend all sessions will receive a certificate of completion from EJN.

They will also receive priority consideration for a subsequent story grant opportunity.

This provides an additional opportunity for journalists who want to develop deeper investigative stories after completing the workshop.

Potential US$2,000 Story Grant Opportunity

Following the workshop, EJN plans to award 10 story grants worth US$2,000 each.

These grants will support in-depth journalism covering topics such as:

Mining.
Environmental degradation.
Human rights.
Community impacts of extractive activities.
Environmental and social consequences of mining in Africa.

The grants may cover eligible reporting expenses, including:

Travel costs.
Reporter stipends.
Multimedia production.
Other necessary reporting expenses.

Selected journalists will also receive one-to-one editorial mentorship from an experienced journalist.

They will receive additional training on how to adapt and repackage their reporting for social media audiences.

The story grant selection will be competitive, so participation in the workshop does not automatically guarantee funding.

Story Grant Reporting Period

Journalists selected for the story grants will have a defined period to complete their reporting.

Stories must be produced and published or broadcast between January 2027 and July 31, 2027.

Stories may be produced in any language, subject to the requirements of the subsequent story grant opportunity.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Mining can generate significant economic activity while also creating complex environmental and social challenges.

Journalists play an important role in documenting:

Environmental pollution and degradation.
Community displacement.
Land and resource rights.
Human rights violations.
Corporate and government accountability.
The experiences of communities affected by mining.
Environmental risks associated with extractive industries.

The EJN workshop is therefore designed to strengthen investigative journalism, environmental journalism, human rights reporting and extractive-sector reporting.

The combination of technical training, expert discussions and potential follow-up funding can help journalists develop stronger evidence-based stories.

How the Workshop Works

The programme follows a practical training model.

Step 1: Submit an application

Eligible journalists and content creators submit their applications in English or French.

Step 2: Participant selection

EJN will review applications and select up to 40 participants.

Step 3: Attend the virtual workshop

Selected participants will join three days of training through Zoom from November 3–5, 2026.

Step 4: Complete the training

Participants should attend all sessions to qualify for the certificate of completion.

Step 5: Explore the story grant opportunity

Participants who complete the workshop will receive priority consideration if they later apply for the planned EJN story grant.

Step 6: Develop an investigative story

Successful story grant recipients will receive US$2,000, editorial mentorship and additional support to produce their reporting.

Application Requirements

Applicants should be prepared to demonstrate their professional journalism or content-creation experience.

The application should clearly establish:

The applicant’s country of residence.
Journalism or content-creation experience.
Experience covering mining, environmental issues or human rights.
Relevant reporting interests.
Ability to participate in English or French.
Interest in investigative reporting and extractive-sector issues.

Applications must be submitted in English or French.

Important Tips for Applicants

Applicants can strengthen their submissions by clearly demonstrating relevant experience.

Consider the following:

Highlight previous reporting on mining, environmental issues or human rights.
Provide specific examples of published or broadcast work where appropriate.
Explain your interest in extractive-sector journalism.
Demonstrate experience working with communities or vulnerable groups.
Show your ability to conduct investigative or evidence-based reporting.
Make clear why the workshop would strengthen your reporting.
Ensure the application is submitted in English or French.
Check that you can attend all three workshop days.

Who Should Consider Applying?

This opportunity may be particularly useful for journalists who want to develop expertise in:

Mining journalism.
Environmental journalism.
Climate and environmental reporting.
Human rights journalism.
Investigative journalism.
Land and resource rights reporting.
Community-focused journalism.
Data-driven reporting on environmental issues.

It is also relevant for early-career journalists seeking structured training and mentorship.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Earth Journalism Network Media Workshop 2026?

It is a three-day online training programme designed to strengthen journalists’ and content creators’ ability to report on mining, environmental and human rights issues in Africa.

When will the workshop take place?

The workshop will be held online from November 3 to November 5, 2026.

Who is eligible to apply?

Journalists and social media content creators from Ghana, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Africa who have experience covering mining, environmental and/or human rights issues can apply.

How many participants will be selected?

EJN plans to select up to 40 participants for the virtual workshop.

Will the workshop be conducted in English?

Yes. Training will be conducted in English and French, with simultaneous interpretation. Applicants need a working understanding of one of these languages.

Is there funding available after the workshop?

Yes. EJN plans to offer 10 story grants of US$2,000 each through a subsequent competitive process. Workshop participants who attend all sessions will receive priority consideration for this opportunity, but funding is not guaranteed.

What will story grant recipients receive?

Selected story grant recipients will receive US$2,000, one-to-one editorial mentorship and training on repackaging their reporting for social media. They will have from January through July 31, 2027 to produce and publish or broadcast their stories.

Conclusion

The Earth Journalism Network Media Workshop 2026 offers journalists and content creators in Ghana, Uganda, the DRC and South Africa an opportunity to strengthen practical skills in mining, environmental and human rights reporting. The three-day virtual programme combines expert-led training, investigative journalism techniques, safety guidance and networking, while successful participants may receive priority consideration for future US$2,000 story grants and editorial mentorship.

Women, rural, Indigenous and early-career journalists are particularly encouraged to apply, making the programme a valuable opportunity for journalists seeking to expand their expertise and produce stronger reporting on Africa’s extractive industries and their environmental and human rights impacts.