Deadline: July 4, 2022
Applications are open for the Climate Change Media Partnership 2022 Reporting Fellowships to COP27. The Fellowship is 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.
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.
Benefits
- 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.
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.
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
- Geographical distribution across the Fellows
Application
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, consider submitting at least one day in advance of the deadline to avoid any issues.
For more information, visit Climate Change Media Partnership.
