Mongabay Africa Scholarships for Environmental Journalism 2024

In the landscape of escalating environmental degradation, the significance of quality environmental journalism is undeniable. However, the field faces challenges stemming from evolving business models that diminish funding for reporting, restrictions on press freedom in numerous nations, and limited professional avenues for aspiring journalists—challenges that Scholarships for Environmental Journalism 2024 aim to address. Problems that are particularly exacerbated in regions that are bearing the brunt of climate change, while loss of biodiversity, degradation of lands and oceans and various forms of pollution threaten indigenous communities.

To combat this situation, Mongabay Africa is launching its French-speaking scholarship program for environmental journalism on the African continent. A course that allows aspiring journalists residing in key biodiversity locations to produce reports on crucial environmental issues. The objective: to contribute to the career development of our fellows, by allowing them to gain training, experience and credibility. Ultimately, Mongabay hopes that participants will join its growing global network, becoming regular contributors.

Benefits

• Each scholar receives $500 USD per month during the 3 months of the program, for a total of $1,500 USD. He will work closely with the editor-in-chief of scholarship programs as well as other journalists in the editorial office to produce a total of three reports.
• Each fellow thus undertakes to work 10 hours per week to produce an average of one report per month. His productions are intended to be published on the Mongabay website.
• Work is done remotely – Mongabay does not have an office and cannot provide work visas.

Check: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Young Champions of the Earth Awards 2024

Eligibility for Scholarships for Environmental Journalism 2024

• Applicants must aspire to pursue a career as an environmental journalist
• Applicants must be able to work remotely with a good internet connection and webcam, and commit to a total of 10 hours of work per week.
• For this first cohort, candidates must reside in one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, Mali, Niger or Togo.
• No level of education is required to apply. This scholarship program is not linked to any university.
• All application documents must be submitted in the appropriate language (French for the French-speaking program).
• All documents must comply with the guidelines below or risk disqualification.

Required Qualifications

• Understanding of the basics of reporting and interest in writing news articles
• Interest in nature conservation issues
• Aspire to a career as an environmental journalist
• Proven information and writing skills
• Ability to meet scholarship program planning requirements
• Any affinity towards multimedia content will be carefully considered.

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Application of Scholarships for Environmental Journalism 2024

On the application form, you will be asked to fill in your contact details, answer a few questions about your interests and upload the following documents:

• A CV (1-2 pages maximum)
• A cover letter (1 page maximum) to introduce yourself and answer these questions:
  • What are your career goals? How are they linked to environmental journalism?
  • Why should Mongabay select you for this program?
• An example of a text (published or not) written in a journalistic style, related to an environmental theme.

1. Apply here for the French-speaking program .
2. Apply here for the English program .
3. Apply here for the Spanish speaking program.

Application Deadline : March 15. 2024