Media Grants for Forest Governance Reporting in Africa & Asia – 2026 Opportunity

Journalists and media organisations focused on environmental reporting now have a valuable funding opportunity to produce impactful, in-depth stories on forest governance, deforestation, community rights, and policy issues. A global media grant initiative is supporting quality journalism that deepens public understanding and accountability on critical forest issues in Africa and Asia in 2026.

 What the Grants Support

This media grant programme aims to strengthen journalism on forest governance by funding projects that:

✔ Explore the drivers and impacts of deforestation
✔ Investigate policy frameworks and governance challenges
✔ Amplify the voices of Indigenous peoples and local communities
✔ Present evidence-based reporting with strong editorial planning
✔ Produce high-quality outputs like investigative articles, multimedia stories, photo essays, or documentary features

The focus is on professional journalism — projects that lack a journalistic component are not eligible.

 Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include:

• Media organisations and newsroom teams
• Professional journalist associations
• Media-focused civil society groups
• Academic journalism programmes

Priority is given to journalists and media entities based in Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam, and Indonesia, though proposals from other regions that cover forest governance issues are also welcome.

 Funding Details

• Grant Value: Approximately £10,000 per project
• Number of Awards: Up to nine media organisations supported
• Funding Focus: Costs such as reporting expenses, travel, production, research, and editorial work

Larger budgets may be considered for projects that demonstrate innovative approaches, extensive collaboration, or expanded geographic reach.

 Project Duration

Grants are intended to support work that:

• Begins in April 2026
• Runs between six to twelve months
• Completes full reporting and publishing by March 2027

This timeline provides room for thorough research, fieldwork, and the production of strong, multi-dimensional journalism.

 Why This Matters

Forest governance is a critical global issue — directly linked to climate change, biodiversity loss, land rights, economic livelihoods, and social justice. Yet coverage is often limited or superficial.

These media grants aim to:

•  Elevate stories that hold policymakers and corporations accountable
• Highlight the voices and struggles of forest-dependent communities
• Improve public understanding of how forest policies affect people and ecosystems
• Encourage high-impact journalism that drives evidence-based discussion

Supporting rigorous and independent coverage helps connect local realities with broader environmental narratives and encourages transparent, accountable decision-making.