Deadline: 7-Apr-23
With support from the Adessium Foundation, Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is pleased to offer five story grants with a budget of up to 1,000 Euros each for this second 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
EJN welcomes 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.
Funding Information
- EJN expects to award five grants with a budget of up to 1,000 Euros each.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants can be from any country that borders 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, EJN will only be accepting written applications in English or French. Unfortunately, EJN does 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. EJN welcomes applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of environmental issues. EJN encourages 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 July 15, 2023.
For more information, visit EJN.