African Union AU Media Fellowship 2023 for African Journalists & Content Creators (Fully Funded to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia & Berlin, Germany)

African Union AU Media Fellowship 2023 for African Journalists & Content Creators (Fully Funded to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia & Berlin, Germany)

When is the Application Deadline:

23rd July 2023

Tell Me About African Union AU Media Fellowship:

Are you an African journalist, blogger, vlogger, content creator, or podcaster living and working in Africa or the diaspora? Are you passionate about promoting development-focused stories using emerging technologies, and through visual, written, oral and digital media? Apply for the inaugural African Union Media Fellowship.

To ensure Africa is at the forefront of defining and telling its own narrative to African and global audiences, the Information and Communication Directorate (ICD) of the African Union (AU) launched the AU Media Fellowship as a transformative platform to shape the African story and create a more accurate representation of Africa’s progress and opportunities using the using emerging digital technologies as a key tool for communication and engagement that will enable the continent to achieve the vision and aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063.

The objectives of the AU Media Fellowship is to:

1. Train and build the capacity of journalists and/or content creators, to leverage creativity and innovation within the continent;
2. Build capacity around innovative and transformative tools in journalism and media; and
3. Create a platform for journalists to network and share best practices on the future of journalism

The Fellowship programme will kick-off with a study tour and capacity building workshops. The 20 selected fellows will benefit from direct access to various African Union leadership, and have the opportunity for on-the-ground reporting on the AU’s work around the Agenda 2063 strategic aspirations.

What Type of Scholarship is this?

Fellowship

Thematic Tracks:

In line with Agenda 2063 goals and aspirations, this year’s media fellowship will focus on the following thematic tracks

• Gender and Women Empowerment – Promoting efforts towards the Economic and Financial Inclusion of African Women (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 6, AU Gender Equality and women’s Empowerment Strategy (GEWE);the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), and the AU Constitutive Act. 
• Advancing Trade, Investment, and Industrialisation– Promoting efforts towards Africa’s Economic integration. This is in line with the 2023 AU theme of the year – Acceleration of AfCFTA Implementation. (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1 and 2) other key documents
• Agricultural development, Environmental Protection and Climate action – Advancing agriculture and agri-business through sustainable environment management for a sustainable and resilient future. (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1)
• Culture and Creative Industries & Sports Development: Africa, through Agenda 2063, envisions vibrant cultural expressions, thriving creative industries, and enhanced sports infrastructure for sustainable development. (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 5)
• Governance & Democracy – Africa is actively promoting good governance through transparency, accountability, rule of law, and strengthening democratic institutions for inclusive and sustainable development. (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 2, 3 and 4)
• Transforming Africa through Digital Innovation – Africa’s Digital transformation Strategy – Positioning Africa for the 4th Industrial Revolution (Focus on Cybersecurity and personal Data Protection), Digital inclusion, and other data policy frameworks (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 1)
• Regional Integration and Economic Cooperation- Advancing a unified Africa through free movement, fostering economic collaboration and sustainable development for shared prosperity. (Agenda 2063 Aspiration 2 and 7)

Who can apply?

• The AU Media Fellowship is open to journalists, bloggers, vloggers, content creators, and podcasters living on the continent or the diaspora.
• Fellows must be actively involved in innovative media either as a journalist or related field of work for at least three years with a demonstrable impact-driven track record.
• All applicants for the AU Media Fellowship must be working journalists with at least three years of full-time, professional journalism experience or in a related field. Internships and journalism-related work completed as a university student do not count as professional experience.
• Applicants may be affiliated or freelance journalists. However, all applicants must provide a reference letter or endorsement from a senior editor.
• Applicants must speak, read, and write English fluently in order to fully participate in and benefit from the Fellowship.
• With their application, the Fellows confirm willingness to report on African Union events and themes, as well as availability to be interviewed about the fellowship by international partners.
• The Fellows confirm willingness to participate in events and workshops for duration of the fellowship.
• Fellows must be able to travel to Berlin June 2022 and meet all criteria for eligibility for a Schengen Visa in their country, including but not limited to:
  • Having a valid passport at least until December 2022
  • Fully vaccinated against COVID-19 ( Find out more details on the website of the German Embassy in your country.)
  • We will provide you with the necessary documents needed for your visa application. You will be responsible for acquiring the visa.
  • All travel costs will be reimbursed and covered by us.

Which Countries are Eligible?

African countries

Where will Award be Taken?

Ethiopia, Germany

What is the Benefit of AU Media Fellowship?

• Certified training from renowned partners and media training institutions
• Grants that support the creation of in-depth stories and e-books that compile all of these stories.
• Access to AU senior leadership, high level AU meetings, summits and events; as well as policymakers and AU development partners
• Exclusive Masterclass with industry professionals
• Support from experienced mentors and institutions and participation in key events with media industry professionals.
• International and continental study tours
• Access to AU Media Fellowship Alumni network

What Are the Key Activities During The AU Media Fellowship?

The Fellowship is 12-month long programme, scheduled to begin in August 2023.

• August – December 2023 : Following final selection and acceptance into the programme, Fellows will attend virtual induction sessions, on-boarding training and embark on the first study tour. During this period the Fellows are expected to work on their pitch stories and also participate in mandatory online certified trainings (Self-selection) and master classes from industry experts.
• January – March 2024 : Fellows will attend the second study tour as well as benefit from in-person training and one-on-one mentorship and also participate in mandatory online certified training (Self-selection) and master classes from industry experts. Fellows will be also be invited to attend the Annual African Union Summit in February 2024 where they can have exclusive access to engage with senior African leadership and invited international participants attending the AU Summit. .
• April – June 2024 : Fellows will embark on the final study tour and continue to benefit from training and best practice sessions.
• July 2024 : Fellows will present final stories, receive certificates and participate in closing ceremonies / sessions

How to Apply for AU Media Fellowship:

Applications should consist of: –

• Resume: Please use a standard format (no picture, religion or marital status).
• Coverletter: A one-page document outlining your motivation, qualifications, and experience.
• Proposal: Please include the following three sections:
  • Story proposals: Please include a short description of the stories you plan to cover (about 200 words each), and whom you plan to contact for interviews.
  • Publication plan: Specify your plan for publication (language and target publication).
  • Social media: Briefly explain how you plan to engage with the African Union Commission in the course of the fellowship.
  • Work samples: Please submit two work samples. If your work samples are in other forms of media (e.g. video) please email us and we will accommodate these requests.

APPLY HERE

Please ensure that you read the application instructions before filling out the form.

Goodluck!

Visit Award Webpage for Details