Deadline: 20-Aug-21
The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) offers grants to support the production of in-depth reports that report on illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador and the impacts that this practice is having on an environmental and economic scale, as well as in the media life of the fishing communities of that country.
Illegal fishing is the sixth most lucrative criminal economy in the world with estimated revenues of $ 15 to $ 36 billion, according to a 2017 report by Global Financial Integrity. China operates the world’s largest fishing fleet with nearly 17,000 vessels and is a major contributor, along with other nations, to this criminal economy, ranking as the worst-performing nation in the world according to a 2019 report, by the Initiative.
Topics
- They will accept proposals for reports that explore the situation of unregulated and unregulated illegal fishing in the Galapagos Islands and its impacts on the marine-coastal ecosystems, as well as on the livelihoods of the surrounding fishing communities.
- They are especially interested in informing about the local and international government actions that are being carried out to stop this activity considered criminal, the existing technologies that could help stop it, the impact on the food sovereignty of the Galapagos Islands, among others. Here are some questions that candidates might consider when writing their proposals:
- How do diplomatic relations between China and Ecuador influence policy and/or law enforcement to encourage avoidance of illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing?
- What are the environmental impacts of the pollution produced by the fishing fleets that operate either legally or illegally in the exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of Ecuador?
- What are the impacts of discard fishing produced by fishing fleets that carry out illegal fishing in the EEZ of Ecuador?
- What are the risks faced by activists/defenders of the environment and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador?
- How can the southern cone countries come together to legislate and enforce laws that prevent illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Galapagos Islands?
- How can the final consumer get involved in curbing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Galapagos Islands?
- Proposals that focus on angles of the topic that have not been extensively covered are preferred. Approaches that have already received a lot of media attention or that do not offer a different look at the challenges and opportunities for combating illegal fishing in the Galapagos Islands are less likely to be targeted.
Funding Information
- They expect to award eight grants of $ 1,500 in September, with the expectation that all reports will be published by mid-January 2022 at the latest.
Eligibility Criteria
- Registrations in Spanish will be accepted. Applications written in a language other than that indicated will not be considered.
- For the purposes of this grant, they will accept applications exclusively from Ecuadorian journalists.
- Nominations are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and to other specialized media professionals with experience in investigative reporting and a history of coverage of environmental issues. They will also accept requests from business journalists interested in publishing on the economic links of illegal fishing.
- They encourage requests from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations – international, national, local, and community. However, they ask that your report proposal is aimed at the public to which it is published.
- They seek to support both beginning journalists and journalists with many years of experience producing reports. They will accept both individual and group applications, but for the latter, they ask that the application be made on behalf of a lead applicant who will receive the grant on behalf of the group, if awarded.
Selection Criteria
Applicants should consider the following points when designing their reporting proposals:
- Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Why is this story important and to whom? Are 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 on the topic or offer a new angle?
- Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, attract attention, spark debate, and prompt action?
- Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be seen as an advantage.
For more information, visit https://earthjournalism.net/opportunities/proyecto-de-reportajes-sobre-la-pesca-ilegal-en-las-islas-galapagos