Are you ready to be at the forefront of climate justice journalism in the Caribbean? Look no further! đź“° We’re thrilled to announce that we are now accepting applications for the third cycle of our Caribbean Climate Justice Journalism Fellowship, which will run from May to September 2024, and we want you to be a part of it!
This Fellowship aims to empower and support dedicated climate journalists across the Caribbean region to effectively report on climate justice issues. 🌴 Having previously run two cycles, we have made some upgrades that we’re sure you will enjoy!
We’re taking it a step further, equipping you with the tools and skills needed to create impactful stories that advocate for equitable climate solutions and promote sustainable environmental practices. 🌱
This Fellowship is a collaboration between Climate Tracker and the Open Society Foundations, two organisations deeply committed to promoting climate justice and environmental sustainability. Together, we are offering a unique opportunity for Caribbean journalists to hone their skills, tell important stories, and make a real impact in their communities.
Why should you apply?
- Focused Storytelling: Each fellow will be supported to produce a total of 5 stories over 5 months
- New Media Innovation: You’ll receive the opportunity to embrace the power of new media to produce climate justice stories.
- Comprehensive Training: Our group training sessions cover essential topics such as climate justice fundamentals, impactful reporting techniques, data journalism, investigative journalism, and the intersection of climate justice with gender equality and Indigenous rights.
- Monthly Stipend: You’ll receive a monthly stipend of USD $200 during this Fellowship, every time you publish a story with us.
- Engagement Opportunities: As a fellow, you’ll have the chance to engage with your audience through podcast episodes, Instagram Lives, and newsletter contributions, amplifying your impact and reaching wider audiences.
We invite you to apply if these resonate with you. You’re…
- 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 experience in reporting but not necessarily on climate and environment and looking to learn and build your portfolio in this area
- 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 our fortnightly group training sessions and weekly check-in calls with your assigned mentor
What do we expect?
đź“ť If you’re selected as a fellow, over 5 months you will be expected to publish 5 stories in your local/regional media (to be re-published on climatetrackercaribbean.org):
- 2 short-form climate justice stories highlighting a crucial issue in your country
- 1 collaborative climate justice story (with your assigned group members)
- 1 solutions-oriented new media climate justice story (TikTok/Reels-styled video)
- 1 long-form investigative climate justice story
🚀 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.
đź“… In addition to working on your stories, you’ll be required to attend group training sessions twice per month and weekly 1-1 check-in calls with your mentor. This is to ensure that you’re getting the support and guidance you need.
🌟 But that’s not all! As a Fellow, you’ll also work with the Climate Tracker team to organize and conduct new media engagements. This will include:
- 1 Caribbean Climate Calabash podcast episode
- 1 Instagram LIVE session
- 1 contribution to our Caribbean Climate Justice Brief newsletter
If you’re a journalist passionate about climate justice and eager to make an impact, we want to hear from you! Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a transformative fellowship program that’s shaping the future of climate journalism in the Caribbean.
WE HOPE YOU’RE INTERESTED! HERE’S HOW TO APPLY
Simply tell us how this fellowship could potentially benefit you and your career in our application form by 22nd April, 2024.
If you’ve got any questions, please feel free to reach out to:
Dizzanne Billy – Caribbean Regional Director at dizzanne@climatetracker.org and Camol Walker – Caribbean Communications Officer at camol@climatetracker.org
Frequently Asked Questions
What language should my application be in?
At the moment we have the capacity to receive and evaluate applications in either English, Dutch, or Spanish
What language will the training sessions be in?
All training sessions will be conducted in English
Do I have to publish my stories in English?
Fellows will be allowed to publish their stories in their native language. However, we request an English translation be shared with the Climate Tracker team for republishing on our website
How many stories are fellows expected to produce throughout the Fellowship?
Fellows will be tasked with publishing 5 stories over 5 months, with the expectation that one story will be published each month, with the assistance and support of their Climate Tracker Journalism Mentor
What type of stories are fellows expected to produce?
Fellows are expected to produce 2 short-form climate justice stories (750-1,200 words), 1 collaborative climate justice story (750-1,200 words), 1 solutions-oriented new media climate justice story (TikTok/Reel video), and 1 long-form investigative climate justice story (1,200-1,500 words).
How often are group training sessions held for fellows?
Group training sessions are held twice per month for fellows, on the first and last Tuesday or Thursday of each month, from 6pm to 8pm (AST time)
What topics are covered in the group training sessions?
Our group training sessions will cover a wide variety of climate justice matters, including but not limited to: the principles of climate justice, climate justice journalism, investigative journalism, climate justice and human rights, climate justice and gender justice, the coloniality of climate change, the legal framework for climate justice in the Caribbean, the Caribbean energy sector, multimedia journalism, loss and damage, and understanding climate justice in the COP space.
I am a journalism/communications student, am I eligible to apply?
You are! All we ask is that you include a couple of your previously published stories in the application. Journalism, media, or communications students with at least 1 year of experience reporting or publishing in the past year are eligible to apply.
Where will I be publishing my stories?
Your monthly stories are to be published by the media house you confirm will publish your stories. Climate Tracker will then republish your story on our website for increased reach.
Who will be my Mentor? How often do I meet with them? What is the pitching process?
Your Mentor will be one of the Climate Tracker Caribbean team members, either Hipolito Novelo, Johannes Damodar Partak, or Dizzanne Billy. You will be expected to meet with your Mentor every week, but they will be available whenever you need them. Fellows need to pitch their story ideas to their journalism mentor before starting work on each story.
How many new media engagements are fellows expected to conduct?
Fellows will be expected to engage in one Instagram Live through the Climate Tracker Caribbean Instagram, one Caribbean Climate Calabash podcast episode, and one Caribbean Climate Justice Brief newsletter contribution.
What are examples of new media engagements Fellows will conduct?
Here are some previous engagements as examples:
- Instagram Live
- Podcast episode
- Newsletter contribution
When is the deadline to apply for the Fellowship?
April 22nd at 11:59pm (AST time)
ABOUT CLIMATE TRACKER
Climate Tracker (CT) is an international non-profit organisation, aiming to support, train and incentivise better climate journalism globally. We believe in the power of journalism but recognise that many young journalists don’t have the training, resources or support to identify and tell the climate stories they want to. We also recognise that this challenge is often greatest in the countries hardest hit by climate change. To address this, we:
- Provide training and fellowships for young journalists around the world to tell better climate stories locally
- Conduct action-oriented media research to better understand the biggest challenges, trends, and obstacles to powerful climate reporting around the world
- Fund young journalists to report on the world’s most pressing issues and cover the world’s biggest moments, UN negotiations and conferences
- Support global collaboration