Biodiversity Media Grants to Strengthen Environmental Reporting

Deadline: 28-Mar-2026

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN), a program of Internews, is offering €10,000–€12,000 grants to 3–4 media organizations in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen biodiversity reporting.

The funding supports in-depth journalism projects, collaborative and data-driven reporting, and journalist capacity-building initiatives that raise public awareness about biodiversity loss and conservation solutions.

Eligible applicants include media organizations and journalism-focused institutions in World Bank-classified low- and middle-income countries, particularly in biodiversity-rich or high-risk regions.

Overview

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is inviting proposals from media organizations to enhance reporting on biodiversity issues.

The core objective is to:

• Increase public awareness of biodiversity threats

• Highlight practical conservation solutions

• Strengthen journalist skills and reporting capacity

• Expand professional networks in environmental journalism

This initiative targets regions where biodiversity loss is severe and media coverage is limited.

Why Biodiversity Journalism Matters

Recent findings from the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) show:

• Trillions of dollars globally are invested in activities that harm biodiversity

• Only a fraction is allocated to conservation and ecosystem restoration

• Environmental degradation is accelerating toward irreversible thresholds

Despite this crisis:

• Biodiversity receives less media coverage than climate change

• Environmental training programs often underrepresent biodiversity topics

• Public understanding of ecosystem loss remains limited

This grant aims to correct that imbalance by supporting accurate, investigative, and impactful journalism.

Grant Details

Funding Amount

• €10,000 to €12,000 per organization

• 3–4 grants will be awarded

Budget Guidance

• Smaller budgets are likely to be more competitive

• Larger grants may be considered for innovative or resource-intensive projects

What Types of Projects Are Funded?

Applicants may propose one of two categories:

1. Content Production Projects

Projects focused solely on journalism output must:

• Deliver strong, in-depth reporting

• Produce multi-part investigations, podcast series, or comprehensive coverage

• Include at least 10 stories (fewer than 10 stories are not competitive unless capacity-building is included)

2. Combined Content and Capacity-Building Projects

These may include:

• Training workshops for journalists

• Field reporting trips

• Data-led or collaborative investigations

• Development of digital tools or reporting resources

• Creation of storytelling platforms

• Establishment of journalist networks

• Cross-sector collaboration between journalists, researchers, and policymakers

Projects that integrate reporting with long-term skill development are strongly encouraged.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants

• Media organizations in low- and middle-income countries (as classified by the World Bank)

• Journalist networks

• Civil society organizations

• Academic institutions

• Media-affiliated groups

Preference Will Be Given To

• Professional journalists

• Established media organizations

• Journalism schools

Geographic Priority

• Biodiversity-rich countries

• Regions experiencing severe biodiversity loss

Not Eligible

• Advocacy-driven campaigns

• Political campaigning initiatives

Projects must focus on journalism, not activism.

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

Competitive applications typically include:

• A clearly defined biodiversity issue

• Strong editorial approach and storytelling strategy

• Data-driven or investigative methodology

• Measurable audience engagement goals

• Clear capacity-building components (if included)

• Realistic and cost-effective budget

High-quality journalism and public impact are key evaluation criteria.

How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organization is based in a World Bank-classified low- or middle-income country and fits the eligible categories.

Step 2: Define Your Project Model

Decide whether you are proposing:

• Content production only

• Content production plus journalist capacity-building

Step 3: Develop a Strong Editorial Plan

Include:

• Topic focus and relevance

• Story formats (investigation, podcast, multimedia series)

• Timeline and production schedule

• Audience reach strategy

Step 4: Prepare a Realistic Budget

• Keep the budget within €10,000–€12,000

• Ensure cost-efficiency

• Justify major expenses clearly

Step 5: Submit Complete Application

Include all required documentation and supporting materials before the stated deadline.

Incomplete or advocacy-based applications will not be considered.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing fewer than 10 stories without a capacity-building component

• Submitting advocacy or politically framed projects

• Providing vague editorial plans

• Overinflated budgets without justification

• Failing to demonstrate biodiversity relevance

• Ignoring collaboration or skill-building opportunities

Key Concepts Explained

Biodiversity

The variety of life on Earth, including ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity.

Conservation Solutions

Policies, technologies, and community-based practices that protect ecosystems and prevent biodiversity loss.

Data-Led Reporting

Journalism based on verified datasets, research findings, and evidence-based analysis.

Capacity-Building

Activities such as workshops, mentoring, and training that improve journalists’ skills and professional networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the EJN biodiversity grants?

Media organizations and journalism-focused institutions in low- and middle-income countries, with preference given to professional journalists and media outlets.

2. How much funding is available?

Each selected organization may receive between €10,000 and €12,000. Three to four organizations will be funded.

3. Can we submit a project focused only on content production?

Yes, but it must produce strong, in-depth outputs such as multi-part investigations or a series of at least 10 stories.

4. Are advocacy projects eligible?

No. Applications rooted in advocacy or political campaigning will not be considered.

5. Can civil society organizations apply?

Yes, but preference will be given to professional journalists and media organizations.

6. Is collaboration encouraged?

Yes. Collaborative reporting, data-led journalism, and cross-sector knowledge exchange are strongly encouraged.

7. Why is biodiversity reporting prioritized?

Because biodiversity loss receives significantly less media coverage than other environmental issues despite its severe global consequences.

Conclusion

The Earth Journalism Network Biodiversity Media Grants provide targeted funding to strengthen journalism in regions most affected by biodiversity loss.

By supporting investigative reporting, data-driven storytelling, and journalist capacity-building, this initiative aims to elevate biodiversity in public discourse and promote informed engagement with conservation solutions.

Media organizations in eligible countries should develop strong, impact-focused proposals that combine editorial excellence with long-term capacity development to maximize competitiveness.

For more information, visit Earth Journalism Network.