Deadline: June 30, 2023.

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 COP28 Reporting Fellowship Program for journalists interested in covering the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28). Hosted this year by the United Arab Emirates, the conference is scheduled to take place in the city of Dubai from 30 November to 12 December 2023.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible for the In-person Fellowship track, the applicant must: 

• Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from a low- or middle-income country. 
• Be available and willing to travel to Dubai to attend COP28 in person, arriving on November 28 and departing no earlier than December 14, 2023.
   

To be eligible for the Virtual Fellowship track, the applicant must: 

• Be a professional journalist from or representing an established media house and reporting from a low- or middle-income country in the MENA or Lower Mekong regions, and a list of eligible countries is available here. 
   

To be eligible for either Fellowship track, the applicant must:

• 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.
• 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. 

BENEFITS

VIRTUAL FELLOWS

Virtual Fellows will be supported by a media trainer who will be on the ground in Dubai. Virtual Fellowships will include a number of online activities, mostly conducted over Zoom, including:

• Regular meetings with trainers one-on-one and in groups about the latest COP news.
• Support in accessing information about the COP, including documents and live-streamed events.
• Group interviews with officials or other experts.
• Assistance with sourcing and interview scheduling.
• Mentoring and editing support for story development.
• Possible virtual networking opportunities.

IN PERSON FELLOW

1. CCMP In-Person Fellows will travel to Dubai to attend the entire duration of the UN climate negotiations, with arrival planned for November 28, 2023 and departure on December 14, 2023.
2. 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.
3. Prior to the start of COP28, Fellows will receive 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 Dubai, 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.

OFFICIAL LINK