Climate Change Media Partnership 2022 Reporting Fellowships to COP27

Deadline 4th July 2022, 11:59 PM, (UTC -11)

Internews initially developed the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) in 2004 to enable journalists from developing countries to cover the environment more effectively. We are now a truly global network working with reporters and media outlets in virtually every region of the world. In our mission to improve the quantity and quality of environmental reporting, EJN trains journalists to cover a wide variety of issues, develops innovative online environmental news sites and produces content for local media – including ground-breaking investigative reports. We also establish networks of environmental journalists in countries where they don’t exist and build their capacity where they do. We do so through workshops and the development of training materials and by offering Fellowship programs, grants to media organizations, story stipends, and support for story production and distribution.

The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is pleased to announce the 2022 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program for journalists interested in covering the 27th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP27). Hosted this year by the government of Egypt, the conference is scheduled to take place in the city of Sharm el-Sheikh from 7-18 November 2022.

Overview

Now in its 15th iteration since its launch in 2007, the CCMP has brought more than 400 journalists from low- and middle-income countries to attend and report on the annual UN climate talks. This has enabled journalists from around the world to cover the climate negotiations for their home audiences, while benefiting from working alongside knowledgeable climate journalists and gaining a multifaceted understanding of the actions countries are taking—or not taking—to address climate change’s global impact.

This year, the CCMP Reporting Fellowship aims to bring up to 22 journalists from low- and middle-income countries to report in-person at COP27.

CCMP organizers may also offer a limited number of virtual fellowships with mentoring and other support from CCMP staff and journalist trainers. Applicants will be asked to indicate if they are interested in a virtual fellowship, through which they would cover the COP remotely with mentoring support, if not selected for in-person participation.

Applications for the 2022 CCMP Reporting Fellowship will be accepted from June 6 to July 4. Decisions will be communicated by early August. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, please consider submitting at least one day in advance of the deadline to avoid any issues.

Fellowship logistics

As currently envisioned (and subject to change), CCMP Fellows would travel to Sharm el-Sheikh to attend the full period of the UN climate negotiations, with arrival planned for November 5, 2022 and departure on November 19 or 20, 2022.

The CCMP will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel insurance (including emergency medical COVID-19 coverage), and transportation costs to participate in the Fellowship. Organizers will also reimburse for meals and other transport expenses acquired in transit, including COVID testing; facilitate the press accreditation process; and provide logistical support relating to the trip.

Please note that the process of obtaining any necessary visas is the Fellow’s individual responsibility, though the CCMP will reimburse visa costs.

Prior to the start of COP27, Fellows will receive resources and technical support to help prepare for reporting at the conference, including a pre-COP virtual workshop to meet the team, discuss reporting opportunities, and ask any questions. Once in Sharm el-Sheikh, Fellows will participate in a series of specially designed activities over the two week period on the ground, including an orientation session with seasoned climate journalists and experts on the key issues at this COP, daily briefings, and interviews with high-level officials. They will also be guided by EJN trainers: senior journalists with experience in covering UN climate summits.

Judging Criteria  

Criteria for evaluating applicants include the prospective Fellow’s demonstrated experience covering climate change and other environmental topics, clear reporting plans for the COP, the audience reach of the proposed media outlet, and geographical distribution across the Fellows.

Eligibility 

To be eligible for the Fellowship, the applicant must:

Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from a low- or middle-income country.
Have a good command of the English language.
Have previous experience reporting on climate change issues and clearly indicate the kinds of stories you might pursue while attending the conference.
Be available and willing to travel to Egypt to attend COP27 in person, arriving on November 5 and departing no earlier than November 19, 2022.
Commit to participate in all Fellowship activities.
Provide a letter of support from an editor, producer, or supervisor who can confirm that your news reports will be published or broadcast in an established media outlet. Freelancers are welcome to apply, but must provide a letter of support from a media outlet for which they intend to report.
Applicants will be asked to submit samples of their work, which can be uploaded as documents or web links. Stories can be in any language as long as they are accompanied by a short English synopsis. Clips related to climate change are preferred.

Note: You’ll be asked to upload these supporting documents once you start the application process, so please have them handy.

Story production 

Format and language of publication: Journalists may produce stories in print, online, radio or broadcast formats. Stories produced as a result of this Fellowship can be in any language. We ask that Fellows provide summarizes of their stories in English and translate at least one of their stories into English so it can be shared with a wider audience.

Acknowledgement of support: We fully respect journalists’ editorial independence, and throughout the conference journalists are free to report as they see fit. We do ask, however, that in addition to the requirements above, Fellows include a strapline in their stories acknowledging the CCMP Fellowship.

Republication rights: Those who are awarded Fellowships are free to publish or broadcast stories produced as a result of the scholarship first in their affiliated media as long as Internews’ EJN, its local and regional partner sites and the grant funders are also given rights to edit, republish, broadcast and distribute them freely.

Travel requirements and safety protocols  

Fellows are responsible for ensuring that they meet any requirements for travel to Egypt. Please note that during a time when many countries are still coping with the spread of COVID-19, there will be added risks and operational challenges involved with international travel. Applicants will be asked to indicate that they understand that participation in the Fellowship in-person in Egypt requires compliance with government and venue requirements, which may include proof of vaccine status, mask mandates, quarantine protocols, and/or testing for COVID-19 before and during the conference. Applicants may be required to sign risk acknowledgment documentation indicating they understand and accept the risks associated with travel and partaking in in-person meetings during a COVID-19 pandemic.

Internews and the Stanley Center will be continuously assessing COVID-related travel and health risks and will communicate those with Fellows ahead of the conference. All travel to participate in this Fellowship will be voluntary.

Application process 

Click the ‘Apply Now’ button at the top of the page.
If you have an existing account, you’ll need to log in. Since we recently updated our website, you might have to reset your password by clicking the “Forgot password?” link in the log in page. If you don’t have an account, you must register by clicking “Log in” on the top right of the page and click the “Sign up” link at the bottom of the page that opens. Click here for detailed instructions on how to create an account, and here for detailed instructions on how to reset your password.
If you start the application and want to come back and complete it later, you can click ‘Save Draft.’ To return to the draft, you’ll need to go back to the opportunity and click ‘Apply now’ again to finalize the application.

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.  Please consider submitting at least one day in advance of the deadline to avoid any issues. 

If you encounter difficulties with submitting your application or have questions about the grants, please email info.ejn@internews.org. Do not contact any other Internews email regarding this opportunity, as we will not receive it.   