Deadline: May 30, 2025
Applications are open for the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Grants for Video Content Production & Distribution to Build Awareness About Renewable Energy in India 2025. To improve public awareness about India’s efforts to decarbonize and scale its renewable energy capacity in a just and equitable way, EJN is providing fellowships for the production of video content on policy, financing, payment and infrastructure hurdles—and effective solutions to overcome them.
They aim to support the production of video reports that raise awareness about the status of the renewable energy sector and strategies to ensure its growth in India in all states, but especially in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh. EJN’s aim is to improve access to quality information among policymakers, project developers, investors and consumers. Selected communicators will be paired with mentors who will provide guidance and support to strengthen their capacity to cover RE. Proposals that focus on topics that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of coverage or don’t provide unique angles to challenges are less likely to be selected.
Story Themes
They welcome proposals that may cover, but are not limited to, the following themes:
- The pace of RE rollout in one of the four states—Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu or Uttar Pradesh
- Challenges of financing RE and how communities/businesses/governments are overcoming them (if at all)
- RE challenges such as a lack of infrastructure and/or solutions to mitigate these challenges
- The economic and social impact of RE on local communities and ways in which challenges can be overcome
- The industries working on RE transition (such as technicians, educators, researchers, entrepreneurs, factories, etc.)
- The issue of just transition
- Developments in clean energy storage technologies
- Besides pitches on solar and wind energy, we encourage proposals to report on new biofuels and the role they can play in the move toward a cleaner economy, with a focus on ethanol as transport fuel; and
- The promise of green hydrogen, the issues involved in scaling this technology, and ways to overcome these challenges
Grant
- EJN will provide remuneration and mentorship to each selected applicant, depending on the proposal and budget provided by the applicant. The budget should cover reporting and production costs amounting to a maximum of ₹2.75 lakh for a video of around 8 minutes in length. Applicants can also propose a series of shorter videos within the same total budget limit.
Eligibility
- Proposals from all states in India are eligible, but proposals that shed light on the RE situation in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh will be prioritized.
- Groups of content producers are eligible. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds as remuneration on the group’s behalf, if awarded.
- For the purposes of this opportunity, they will be accepting applications in English, Hindi, Marathi and Tamil.
- Applications are open to India-based video content producers with a demonstrated interest in covering the RE sector. Applicants are encouraged to share previous video reports they have completed on RE or similar topics in their application. In an effort to ensure equal opportunities and a diversity of voices, we especially encourage applications from women, youth, and members of Indigenous and/or ethnic minority communities.
- They are seeking applications from freelancers and staff from all types of outlets—international, national, local and community-based.
Judging Criteria
Applicants should consider the following points when devising their proposals:
- Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of this call? Why does this report matter and to whom? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
- Angle: If the subject has been covered already, does your proposal bring new insights into the topic or offer a fresh angle?
- Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and urge action?
- Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches like data visualization will be considered a plus.
Application
Applications should provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested, and a signed letter of support, explicitly stating that the outlet will broadcast the content produced as a result of this support. Applicants will also need to submit two samples of reports or links to relevant work.
For more information, visit EJN Grants.
