Environmental reporting program seeks pitches Africa

Posted on Feb 23, 2022 in ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTING

omen journalists based in any country in Africa can submit pitches on environmental issues.

African Women in Media (AWiM) is accepting pitches for its Environment Reporting Program 2022. AWiM seeks to positively impact the way media functions in relation to women.

Pitches should propose in-depth stories that explore environmental solutions with a focus on any of the 12 elements of the African Green Stimulus Program.

Journalists could also highlight the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, waste management and other issues related to the broader ecological challenges in Africa which affect women.

Journalists will receive free training, editorial coaching and US$100 towards their stories.

Apply now.

Pitch to AWiM Africa Environment Reporting Programme 2022 

African Women in the Media (AWiM) is a network for African women working in media industries anywhere globally. We aim to positively impact the way media functions in relation to women, and our vision is that one day women of African heritage will have equal representation in media industries. More information on the organisation can be found at https://africanwomeninmedia.com

AWiMNews is our niche news website that produces content focused on women’s rights and media. The focus of AWiMNews on the intersection between women’s rights and the media addresses the glaring issue of inadequate coverage of African women’s rights and issues in media discourse.

Pitch to us

AWiM is calling for pitches that will call attention to the gendered aspect of environmental issues in Africa.

We are particularly interested in in-depth stories that explore environmental solutions with a focus on any of the 12 elements of the African Green Stimulus Program.

Journalists could also highlight the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on ecosystems, biodiversity, conservation, waste management and other issues related to the broader ecological challenges in Africa which affect women.

Pitches that focus on stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. So be on the lookout for issues that provide unique gendered angles to environmental challenges. Topics that have widely been covered are less likely to be selected.

Commissioned journalists will get:

* Free training on solutions reporting on the environment designed in partnership with the Solutions Journalism Network.
* Free training on reporting gender angles of environmental issues.
* Editorial coaching as part of a community of practice.
* $100 towards your story.

Eligibility 

1. Applicants must be women journalists based in any country in Africa.
2. For the purposes of this reporting grant opportunity, we will only be accepting applications in English. You must either have a working understanding of English or be able to translate your work.
3. Pitches are open to women journalists working in any medium (e.g. online, print, television, radio etc.) and other media practitioners with a history of covering environmental beat.
4. Pitches from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organisations – international, national, local and community-based are encouraged.
5. Where you are staff of a media organisation, please indicate in your pitch if your organisation would like to co-publish your story.

Ten pitches will be selected each month, so if you do not hear from us, do not be discouraged.

The story format 

We expect to award 60 story grants in total for the duration of the project. While out on the field, ensure that women’s voices are well captured, and observe all safety measures Where requested, access to our safety for journalist training can be provided.

Each story must be accompanied with quality pictures, be verified, fact-check and go through the usual journalistic scrutiny

Where your story is republished in your affiliated media, this must be with your byline and indicate at the end that it is produced as part of the AWiM/UNEP Africa Environmental Journalism Programme).

How to pitch 

1. All pitches must be no more than 250 words.
2. It should highlight the key issue you want to focus on, why it is relevant to the programme, the extent to which it is under-reported,
3. It must highlight the gender angle
4. Indicate why you are the right person to report it and the access you already have.
5. Remember to read our editorial policy and submissions guidelinesbefore sending us your pitch.

All pitches for this grant should be sent to   janet@africanwomeninmedia.com