Deadline: 13-May-22
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering reporting grants to journalists from countries located around the Mediterranean Sea interested in developing in-depth stories exposing the scale of unsustainable marine management, biodiversity loss and illegal fishing.
Despite the startling statistics which have become synonymous with the Med crisis, not enough information is either being made available or easily accessible, resulting in a public that is largely unaware of the scale of the unfolding crisis. EJN is seeking to support journalists interested in learning more about these issues and wishing to report on them.
Launched in March 2022, the Mediterranean Media Initiative aims to build the capacity of journalists to produce independent reports on the current state of the Mediterranean Sea, cover solution-based approaches proposed through technology and citizen-led innovations and investigate criminality and corruption which is either transboundary in nature or within national waters.
With support from the Adessium Foundation, EJN is pleased to offer five story grants for this first round of story grants to selected journalists to report on overfishing, illegal fishing and the biodiversity crisis in the Mediterranean region. In addition to funding, selected journalists will receive support from experienced mentors through the story production process.
Story Themes
- They welcome story ideas that focus on the following themes:
- Biodiversity loss in the Mediterranean Sea
- Endangered marine species
- Marine protected areas
- Marine pollution
- The deep sea
- Illegal and destructive fishing
- Destructive impact of bottom trawling
- Destructive fishing practices (trawling, nets, dynamite)
- Overfishing of species such as blackspot seabreams, European hake, blue and red shrimp, deep-water rose shrimp, sardines, anchovies, sardinellas, red mullets, Black Sea turbots, European eels and common dolphinfish as well as the impact of incidental catch of vulnerable species including sharks, seabirds and sea turtles
- EJN is looking to receive proposals which highlight the impact of these practices on coastal communities, including the loss of sustainable livelihoods, the challenges of small-scale fishermen, the decline of valuable ecosystems and the loss of natural and cultural heritage.
- They also welcome story proposals which highlight solutions or actions put forward by governments, commissions, local NGOs, fishing communities, as well as non-state actors and companies working on developments relating to AI and maritime surveillance, including the use of drone, satellite technology to help tackle the Med marine issues.
Funding Information
They expect to award five grants with a budget of up to 1,000 Euros each.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants can be from all countries that border the Mediterranean Sea.
- 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 written applications in English or French. 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 and French 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 environmental issues. They encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local and community-based.
- EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.
Judging criteria
Applicants should consider the following points when devising their story proposals.
- Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Why does this story matter and to whom? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
- Angle: If the story has been covered, does your proposal bring new insights to the topic or offer a fresh angle?
- Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and spur action?
- Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be considered a plus.
- Plan for timely publication: Reporters, whether freelance or employed at a media outlet, will need to include a letter of support from an editor in their application, committing to publish the stories by October 1, 2022.
For more information, visit https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/story-grants-to-report-on-the-mediterranean-sea
