Deadline: March 15, 2024.

At a time when signs of environmental degradation are becoming more visible, the role of quality environmental journalism is essential. But like the news industry as a whole, environmental journalism is being weakened by changing business models that reduce reporting funding, a decline in press freedom in many countries, and a lack of professional opportunities for journalists at the beginning of their careers. These issues are particularly exacerbated in regions that are bearing the brunt of climate change, as biodiversity loss, land and ocean degradation and various forms of pollution threaten indigenous communities.

To combat this situation, Mongabay Africa is launching its Francophone Fellowship Program for Environmental Journalism on the African Continent. A course that allows aspiring journalists living in key biodiversity areas to report on crucial environmental issues. The objective: to contribute to the career development of our scholarship holders, by allowing them to gain training, experience and credibility. Eventually, Mongabay hopes that participants will join its growing global network and become regular contributors.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Applicants must aspire to a career as an environmental journalist
• Candidates must be able to work remotely with a good internet connection and webcam, and commit to a total of 10 hours of work per week.
• For this first cohort, applicants must reside in one of the following countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Mali, Niger or Togo.
• No level of education is required to apply. This scholarship program is not tied to any university.
• All application documents must be submitted in the correct language (French for the French-language program).
• All documents must comply with the guidelines below or disqualification.

QUALIFICATION

• Understanding of the basics of reporting and interest in writing news articles
• Interest in nature conservation issues
• Aspiring to a career as an environmental journalist
• Proven information and writing skills
• Ability to meet the requirements of the scholarship program schedule
• Any affinity for multimedia content will be looked at carefully.

BENEFITS

1. Each fellow receives $500 USD per month for the 3 months of the program, for a total of $1,500 USD. He will work closely with the Fellowship Editor and other journalists in the newsroom to produce a total of three stories.
2. Each fellow commits to working 10 hours per week to produce an average of one report per month. His productions are intended to be published on the Mongabay website.
3. The work is done remotely – Mongabay does not have an office and cannot provide a work visa.

APPLICATION

Apply here for the French-language program.

Apply here for the English-language program.

Apply here for the Spanish Speaking Program.

On the application form, you will be asked to fill in your details, answer a few questions about your interests, and upload the following documents:

• A CV (1-2 pages maximum)
• A cover letter (1 page maximum) to introduce yourself and answer these questions:
  • What are your career goals? How do they relate to environmental journalism?
  • Why should Mongabay select you for this program?
• An example of a text (published or not) written in journalistic style, related to an environmental theme.

Apply through the OFFICIAL LINK