Deadline: July 6, 2024
Applications are open for the EJN Fellowships for Journalists to Cover the UN Biodiversity Conference (UNCBD COP16) 2024. The upcoming CBD COP16, to be held in Cali, Colombia, from October-November 2024, is the first convening since the Global Biodiversity Framework’s (GBF) launch—and therefore a critical moment to pause and assess the state of global biodiversity financing, countries’ progress toward each of the targets, and current barriers to success.
Concrete, measurable and immediate action toward the Framework’s goals is needed to meet the fast-approaching 2030 deadline. The world has seen a 69% average decline in global wildlife populations since 1970 and over 1 million animal and plant species are threatened with extinction by 2030.
To ensure that this COP receives rich and diverse coverage worldwide, particularly in countries deeply affected by its outcomes, the Earth Journalism Network is launching a new fellowship program for journalists interested in attending and reporting on the event. This opportunity is designed to enable journalists from low- and middle-income countries to cover the negotiations, and ensure crucial findings, decisions and outcomes are available and accessible to audiences beyond conference walls. The fellowship will strengthen and deepen journalists’ reporting on biodiversity issues and draw attention to the widespread, catastrophic and often underreported impacts of biodiversity depletion.
Cost
- EJN will cover non-refundable economy-class airfare, accommodation, meals, travel medical insurance and ground transportation costs related to fellowship participation. Organizers will also facilitate the press accreditation process and provide logistical support relating to the trip. Note that the process of obtaining any necessary visas is the fellow’s individual responsibility, though EJN will reimburse visa costs.
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 previous experience reporting on biodiversity issues and clearly indicate the kinds of stories you might pursue while covering the conference.
- Be available and willing to travel to Cali to attend COP16 in person, arriving on October 19 and departing no earlier than November 2, 2024.
- Have a good command of the English language.
- Share an up-to-date resume/CV.
- 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.
- Provide recent, relevant and journalistic work samples on biodiversity topics, 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 must focus on biodiversity topics and should have been published in the last 12 months.
Judging Criteria
They are looking for applicants who meet the following criteria:
- Demonstrated experience covering climate change, climate policy and other environmental topics;
- A clear and well-researched reporting plan for the COP, including potential story ideas, an estimated number of stories they’ll produce during the fellowship and demonstrated intention to continue developing their plan as the COP draws closer;
- A relationship with an established media house and a signed letter of support from an editor agreeing to publish or broadcast work produced at the COP.
EJN also considers the need to assemble a diverse cohort of journalists from different types of media houses, mediums and geographies.
Application
For more information, visit EJN Fellowships.
