Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships to COP29 (Fully-funded to Azerbaijan)

We’re excited to announce the Climate Change Media Partnership Reporting Fellowships to COP29 (Fully-funded to Azerbaijan)! Apply below.

Application Deadline: 6th June 2024, 12:59 PM, Pacific/Niue (UTC -11)

Eligible Countries: 20 journalists from low- and middle-income countries

To Be Taken At (Country): Azerbaijan

About the Award: The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, is pleased to announce the CCMP COP29 Reporting Fellowship Program for journalists interested in covering the 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP29). Hosted this year by Azerbaijan, the conference is scheduled to take place in the city of Baku from November 11-22, 2024.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: To be eligible for the Fellowship, the applicant must: 

• Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from the countries listed below.*
• Be available and willing to travel to Baku to attend COP29 in person, arriving on November 9 and departing no earlier than November 24, 2024.
• Have a good command of the English language.
• Have previous experience reporting on climate change issues and clearly indicate the kinds of stories you might pursue about the conference.
• Commit to participate in all Fellowship activities.
• Share an up-to-date resume/CV.
• Provide a letter of support from an editor, producer, or supervisor who can confirm that your news reports will be published or broadcast in an established media outlet. Freelancers are welcome to apply but must provide a letter of support from a media outlet for which they intend to report.
• Provide recent, relevant and journalistic work samples on climate change topics, 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. Clips must focus on climate change topics and should have been published in the last 12 months. 

Judging criteria 

We are looking for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience covering climate change, climate policy and other environmental topics;
• A clear and well-researched reporting plan for the COP, including potential story ideas, an estimated number of stories they’ll produce during the Fellowship and demonstrated intention to continue developing their plan as the COP draws closer;
• A relationship with an established media house and a signed letter of support from an editor agreeing to publish or broadcast work produced at the COP.

The CCMP also considers the need to assemble a diverse cohort of journalists from different types of media houses, mediums and geographies. 

Story logistics 

Fellows are expected to produce stories regularly during the course of the Fellowship for their media house. Journalists may produce stories in any medium, including print, online, radio, broadcast and more. 

Throughout the program, participating journalists are free to report as they see fit; however, as part of our program we may provide extra training or activities related to certain thematic topics, and encourage stories on these topics. We do ask that Fellows adhere to some basic editorial standards (which will be shared at the start of the Fellowship) and these guidelines: 

Language of publication: Stories produced as a result of this Fellowship can be in any language. We ask that Fellows provide high-quality English summaries of stories produced in other languages and fully translate at least one of their stories into English so it can be shared with a wider audience. Fellows may use a tool like DeepL or other automated translation apps for this purpose.

Acknowledgement of support: Published stories and/or broadcasts must disclose CCMP support by including this tagline, “This story was produced as part of the Climate Change Media Partnership COP29 Reporting Fellowship, organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security.”

Republication rights: Those who are awarded Fellowships are free to publish or broadcast stories produced as a result of the Fellowship first in their affiliated media as long as Internews’ EJN, its local and regional partner sites and the grant funders are also given rights to edit, republish, broadcast and distribute them freely. Stories from COP29 that are filed by participating journalists may be republished on EJN’s website and may be cross-posted on the Stanley Center’s website.

Travel requirements and safety protocols 

Fellows are responsible for ensuring that they meet any requirements for travel to Azerbaijan. Applicants will be asked to indicate that they understand that participation in the Fellowship requires compliance with the Azerbaijan government and venue requirements.

Internews and the Stanley Center will be continuously assessing travel and health risks and will communicate those with Fellows ahead of the conference. All travel to participate in this Fellowship will be voluntary.

Number of Awards: 20

Value of Award: CCMP Fellows will travel to Baku to attend the entire duration of the UN climate negotiations, with arrival planned for November 9, 2024 and departure on November 24, 2024.

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. Please note that the process of obtaining any necessary visas is the Fellow’s individual responsibility, though the CCMP will reimburse visa costs.

Prior to the start of COP29, Fellows will receive informational resources and technical support to help prepare for reporting at the conference, including a pre-COP virtual workshop to meet the team, discuss reporting opportunities, and ask any questions. Once in Baku, Fellows will participate in a series of specially designed activities over the two-week period on the ground, including an orientation session with seasoned climate journalists and experts on the key issues at this COP, daily briefings, networking events and interviews with high-level officials. They will also be guided by EJN trainers, who are senior journalists with experience covering UN climate summits. 

Duration of Program: 2 weeks

How to Apply: Applications for the CCMP COP29 Reporting Fellowship will be accepted from May 7-June 6. Decisions will be communicated in August. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted, so please consider submitting at least one day before the deadline to avoid any issues.

We are looking for applicants who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated experience covering climate change, climate policy and other environmental topics;
• A clear and well-researched reporting plan for the COP, including potential story ideas, an estimated number of stories they’ll produce during the Fellowship and demonstrated intention to continue developing their plan as the COP draws closer;
• A relationship with an established media house and a signed letter of support from an editor agreeing to publish or broadcast work produced at the COP.

The CCMP also considers the need to assemble a diverse cohort of journalists from different types of media houses, mediums and geographies. 

Visit the Program Webpage for Details