Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship Program

Deadline: 15-May-23
Do you have a passion for storytelling and climate issues? The Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship is now accepting applications for a second cycle, which will run from June to November 2023.

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges facing the planet today. It’s affecting everything from the food and water supplies to the very air they breathe. And it’s hitting the Caribbean especially hard, with rising sea levels, more frequent and intense hurricanes, and other devastating effects.

But here’s the good news: YOU can do something about it. By sharing stories of resilience, courage, and innovation, you can inspire others to take action. That’s where the Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship comes in!

This fellowship is a collaboration between Climate Tracker and Open Society Foundations, two organisations deeply committed to promoting climate justice and environmental sustainability. Together, they are offering a unique opportunity for young Caribbean journalists to hone their skills, tell important stories, and make a real impact in their communities

So what does the climate justice fellowship entail, exactly?

• Training and Mentorship: As a fellow, you’ll receive expert training and mentorship from experienced journalists and climate experts. You’ll learn how to research, report, and write stories that resonate with audiences and make a difference.
• Networking: You’ll also have the chance to connect with other fellows, journalists, editors, and gurus in the field. You’ll build your professional network and learn from others passionate about climate issues
• Monthly Stipend: You’ll receive a monthly stipend during the six months of the fellowship, every time you publish a story with them.
• Publishing Opportunities: They expect you to produce multiple original stories on climate justice in the Caribbean during the fellowship period. Your work with them could be featured on other media platforms interested in connecting with Caribbean climate journalists, just like you.
• Fun and Fellowship: But it’s not all work and no play! The fellowship is designed to be a fun and engaging experience, with plenty of opportunities to connect, learn, and explore. You’ll get to know your colleagues, participate in workshops and events, and maybe even have more future opportunities with Climate Tracker.
• In the last two months of the fellowship, you’ll get the chance to collaborate with two other fellows from different countries on a final collaborative story. You’ll work together to pitch, investigate, co-draft, and publish an insightful climate justice story that can be simultaneously published by each fellow. This is a great opportunity to connect with other like-minded journalists and make a real impact on the world.

What do they expect from the climate justice fellows?

• If you’re selected as a fellow, you’ll have the opportunity to publish one climate justice feature story each month in a local or regional media outlet. These stories can be in any format you like – written, audio, photo, or video journalism – as long as they cover the topic of climate justice.
• Before you start working on each story, you’ll need to pitch your idea to your journalism mentor. This is a chance for you to get feedback and advice on how to make your story as impactful as possible.
• In addition to working on your stories, you’ll be required to attend monthly group training sessions and weekly 1-1 check-in calls with your mentor. This is to ensure that you’re getting the support and guidance you need. This is critical and they expect that all the fellows hold up their side of the agreement but attending meetings and trying as best as possible to stick to planned timelines for delivering story pitches, draft stories, and published stories.
• But that’s not all. As a fellow, you’ll also work with the Climate Tracker team to organise and conduct new media engagements. This will include:
  • 1 Podcast episode
  • 1 Instagram LIVE session
  • 1 Twitter Space
  • 1 contribution to the Caribbean Climate Justice Brief newsletter

Eligibility Criteria

• A Caribbean journalist interested in covering climate justice
• A Caribbean journalist with some experience in covering environmental issues but looking for guidance and training in reporting on climate justice
• A Caribbean journalist with some publications under your belt, interested in gaining knowledge and certification in climate justice
• A Caribbean journalism, media, or communications student with at least 1 year of experience reporting or some publishing is already done in the past year, looking for the chance to increase your knowledge and publishing profile
• Able to commit to attendance of the fortnightly group training sessions and weekly check-in calls with your assigned mentor
• Note: All ages are invited to apply, however, priority will be given to those between 18-35 years of age.

For more information, visit Climate Tracker.