Deadline: June 17, 2026
Applications are open for the EJN COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship 2026 for Creator Journalists. Now in its 19th iteration since its launch in 2007, the CCMP has brought more than 550 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 media trainers and gaining a multifaceted understanding of how nations are responding—or failing to respond—to climate change’s global impact.
This year, for the first time, they are expanding CCMP Fellowship eligibility to include independent creator journalists who are not affiliated with a professional news outlet but use journalistic practices and content creation techniques to deliver climate-related coverage directly to audiences via social media and other digital platforms.
Benefits
All CCMP Fellows will travel to Antalya to attend the full two weeks of the UN climate negotiations in November 2026, with specific arrival and departure dates to be determined. Fellowship support includes:
- Operational and logistical support: The CCMP 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 the CCMP will reimburse visa costs.
- Accommodation: CCMP organizers will arrange accommodation for all Fellows in single occupancy rooms, if possible; however applicants should be comfortable with the possibility of shared housing.
- Financial support: Selected Fellows will be provided a small stipend to offset the cost of meals and other incidental expenses related to the fellowship.
- Reporting resources and other support: CCMP Fellows will be guided by EJN trainers, who are senior climate journalists with experience covering UN climate summits. Prior to the start of COP31, Fellows will receive informational resources and technical support to help prepare for covering the conference, including a pre-COP virtual workshop to meet the trainers, discuss reporting opportunities, and ask any questions. Once in Antalya, Fellows will participate in an in-person orientation session with seasoned climate journalists and experts on the key issues at this COP and attend specially designed activities on the ground, including daily briefings and 1-1 discussions with mentors. They will have access to a CCMP Trello board with information and resources and will be part of a CCMP group chat on a messaging platform to share information, discuss and ask questions
- Opportunities for interviews: Fellowship organizers will arrange group interviews for Fellows with high-level officials and subject matter experts.
- Opportunities for networking: Fellows will be encouraged to attend networking mixers with other journalists and participate in cohort-building activities including group meals and/or local excursions. Selected Fellows may also be invited to participate as speakers or moderators at official and/or unofficial side events taking place during the summit.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the CCMP Fellowship, creator journalist applicants must:
- Be from an eligible country
- Be an independent creator journalist who frequently produces climate-related coverage delivered directly to audiences via one or more digital platforms, such as vertical video platforms, YouTube channels, newsletter or podcast platforms or other social media sites.
- For this opportunity, they welcome analysis, however they are not accepting applications from creator journalists who produce opinion and advocacy content.
- Must not have attended a UNFCCC climate COP before in person—either self-funded or as part of a fellowship.
- Must be available and willing to travel to Antalya, Türkiye, to attend the full two weeks of COP31 in person.
- Have a good command of the English language.
- Be able to demonstrate that they have an existing audience. Ideal candidates will be creator journalists with 10,000+ followers.
- Commit to participate in all CCMP Fellowship activities.
- Share an up-to-date resume/CV.
- Share a video, no more than 2 minutes in length, explaining what you want to cover at COP31.
- Provide at least three recent, relevant samples of your coverage on climate change or related topics that were published/shared between May 15, 2025, to June 15, 2026, 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.
Judging Criteria
They are looking for applicants who:
- Have demonstrated experience covering climate change, climate policy and other environmental topics and clearly indicate the kinds of news, stories or informational content for digital platforms you might pursue during the conference.
- Have developed a clear, specific and detailed coverage plan for the COP that includes potential story ideas.
- Have an audience that is hungry for information, news and other stories that could surface during a COP.
- Are producing original work, including verified factual information, analysis and/or commentary. In order to create more cohesion across the CCMP cohort, they are not considering creator journalists who produce opinion and advocacy content.
Application
For more information, visit EJN COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowship.
