Deadline: 30-Jun-2026

The Pulitzer Center is seeking educators, journalists, communicators, and community leaders across Latin America to serve as mentors for youth-focused environmental journalism workshops. Selected mentors will guide young people aged 15–24 in transforming investigative journalism stories into creative written and audiovisual projects while receiving educational resources, regional networking opportunities, and financial support of USD $200 per workshop.

What is the Pulitzer Center Mentor Program?

The Pulitzer Center Mentor Program is an initiative designed to strengthen youth engagement with environmental journalism, climate action, and civic participation across Latin America.

The program connects young people with mentors who facilitate interactive workshops that use investigative journalism as a tool for learning, critical thinking, storytelling, and community dialogue. Participants explore environmental issues affecting their communities and create original letters and audiovisual pieces inspired by Pulitzer Center-supported journalism.

Funding and Benefits

Selected mentors will receive:

• USD $200 per workshop delivered
• Access to Pulitzer Center educational materials
• Structured workshop methodologies and facilitation resources
• Certificate of participation and recognition
• Membership in a regional network of educators, journalists, and community leaders
• Opportunities to strengthen youth engagement and environmental awareness in their communities

Program Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Promote environmental journalism among young people
• Strengthen media literacy and critical thinking skills
• Encourage youth participation in environmental discussions
• Foster climate justice awareness
• Support storytelling and creative expression
• Promote civic dialogue and community engagement
• Increase awareness of environmental challenges through journalism

Focus Areas

Mentors will guide discussions and activities related to:

Environmental Journalism

• Investigative reporting
• Journalism-based learning
• Media analysis
• Fact-based storytelling

Climate and Environmental Issues

• Climate justice
• Forest conservation
• Ocean governance
• Biodiversity protection
• Environmental sustainability
• Community environmental challenges

Youth Leadership and Participation

• Civic engagement
• Community dialogue
• Advocacy through storytelling
• Youth empowerment

Media and Communication Skills

• Media literacy
• Creative writing
• Audiovisual storytelling
• Digital communication
• Narrative development

Role of Selected Mentors

Successful applicants will play a key role in supporting youth participation throughout the program.

Workshop Facilitation

Mentors will:

• Organize and host in-person workshops
• Create inclusive learning environments
• Guide discussions on environmental journalism
• Facilitate group learning activities

Supporting Youth Projects

Mentors will help participants:

• Analyze investigative journalism stories
• Identify environmental issues affecting their communities
• Develop written responses and letters
• Produce audiovisual content
• Prepare final competition submissions

Community Engagement

Mentors are expected to:

• Connect with local schools and youth groups
• Encourage participation among young people
• Build relationships with community stakeholders
• Promote environmental awareness through education

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must be based in Latin America and have experience working with young people or communities.

Eligible Applicants Include

• Educators
• Teachers
• Journalists
• Communication professionals
• Community leaders
• Environmental advocates
• Youth facilitators
• Civil society practitioners
• Cultural and community organizers

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants should demonstrate:

Workshop Capacity

Ability to provide:

• A physical workshop space
• Capacity for at least 25 participants
• Safe and accessible learning environments

Facilitation Experience

Experience in one or more of the following:

• Education
• Journalism
• Community engagement
• Training and facilitation
• Youth development
• Participatory learning

Community Connections

Strong relationships with:

• Schools
• Universities
• Youth groups
• Community collectives
• Educational institutions
• Local organizations

Interest Areas

Applicants should have an interest in:

• Environmental issues
• Storytelling
• Journalism
• Climate action
• Youth participation

Deep technical expertise in every topic is not required.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Environmental challenges increasingly affect communities throughout Latin America. At the same time, young people are becoming important voices in climate action, conservation, and community development.

This program helps bridge journalism, education, and civic engagement by enabling youth to:

• Understand environmental issues through credible reporting
• Develop critical thinking skills
• Express their perspectives creatively
• Engage in meaningful community conversations
• Build confidence as future leaders and storytellers

Mentors play a vital role in supporting these learning experiences and amplifying youth voices.

How the Program Works

Step 1: Mentor Selection

The Pulitzer Center selects qualified educators, journalists, and community facilitators across Latin America.

Step 2: Access to Training Materials

Selected mentors receive:

• Educational resources
• Facilitation guides
• Competition methodology
• Workshop materials

Step 3: Workshop Organization

Mentors organize local workshops for youth aged 15–24.

Step 4: Journalism Exploration

Participants review and discuss environmental journalism stories focusing on issues such as:

• Climate change
• Forest conservation
• Ocean protection
• Environmental justice

Step 5: Creative Production

Youth participants create:

• Letters
• Written reflections
• Audiovisual projects
• Storytelling pieces inspired by journalism content

Step 6: Submission Support

Mentors assist participants in preparing and submitting their final entries through the official platform.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Limited Community Outreach

Applicants should demonstrate clear access to youth audiences through schools, universities, or community groups.

Insufficient Workshop Space

Ensure access to a venue capable of accommodating at least 25 participants.

Weak Facilitation Experience

Highlight relevant experience in teaching, mentoring, journalism, or community engagement.

Focusing Only on Technical Expertise

The program values facilitation skills, youth engagement, and community relationships as much as subject expertise.

Lack of Environmental Interest

While advanced expertise is not required, applicants should show genuine interest in environmental issues and storytelling.

Expected Outcomes

The program aims to achieve:

• Greater youth engagement with environmental journalism
• Increased climate and environmental awareness
• Stronger media literacy skills
• Enhanced civic participation
• Creation of original youth-led storytelling projects
• Expanded regional collaboration among educators and journalists

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply to become a mentor?

Educators, journalists, communicators, environmental advocates, and community leaders based in Latin America are eligible to apply.

2. Is environmental expertise required?

No. Applicants should have an interest in environmental topics, but deep expertise in all focus areas is not mandatory.

3. What age group will mentors work with?

Mentors will facilitate activities for young people aged 15–24.

4. Is financial support provided?

Yes. Selected mentors receive USD $200 per workshop.

5. Do mentors need to provide a venue?

Yes. Applicants must be able to provide a physical space capable of hosting at least 25 participants.

6. What type of projects will youth participants create?

Participants will produce written and audiovisual pieces inspired by investigative environmental journalism.

7. What additional benefits do mentors receive?

Mentors gain access to educational resources, facilitation methodologies, a participation certificate, and a regional network of educators and journalists.

Conclusion

The Pulitzer Center Mentor Program offers a unique opportunity for educators, journalists, and community leaders across Latin America to empower young people through environmental journalism, storytelling, and civic engagement. By guiding youth in analyzing investigative reporting and creating original multimedia projects, mentors contribute to building informed, engaged, and environmentally conscious communities while receiving professional recognition, networking opportunities, and financial support.

For more information, visit Pulitzer Center.