Hivos and Climate Tracker launch energy journalism competition Africa

January 24, 2020

Join us at the Sustainable Energy For All Forum in Rwanda and win an investigative reporting scholarship!

The opportunity

Together with Climate Tracker, Hivos will be training and sending six African journalists to cover the Sustainable Energy for All Forum in Rwanda, this May (26th-28th).

We are looking for young journalists from Africa who want to make a big impact in their countries by publishing about the energy challenges and help shape one of the most important debates of our time.

The Sustainable Energy for All Forum will convene the best experts and decision makers to take progress on what is working in the establishing of the SDGs and to mobilize resources and new financial instruments. A vibrant meeting place to showcase action towards sustainable energy, with entrepreneurs, community leaders, city leaders, policy makers, financiers and investors.

For journalists, this will be a career-defining opportunity to meet and learn from some of the key industry movers and shakers. This will be a vibrant meeting place to showcase action towards renewable energy, with entrepreneurs, community leaders, city leaders, policy makers, financiers and investors in the energy space.

The 6 six fellows will receive a fully funded fellowship to travel to Kigali for the event, undergo exclusive training from leading energy experts and journalists, and an investigative story grant to cover energy issues back in their home country – all mentored by the Climate Tracker Team.

Your role as a fellow

As a fellow, you will receive training on climate and journalism organized by Climate Tracker, participate in group interviews with high-level officials/experts, and network with amazing people from all over the world!

All expenses will be organized and covered for the fellows as part of the fellowship.

After the Forum, the six fellows will be part of an 8-week-long investigative reporting scholarship guided by Climate Tracker, to have a chance to refine your journalism skills and report on the pressing energy issues of your country.

I am interested! What do I have to do?

You will need to publish and submit an article to the Climate Tracker App.

What should I write about? 

    • Energy access
    • clean energy cooking
    • the right to energy transition
    • sustainable energy for all
    • sustainable energy and climate change

What do we mean by publish?
You will need to write and publish your piece on the media outlet of your choice. It can be local, national, regional or international. Unfortunately, we can’t accept self-owned blog entries.

Does it have to be a written publication?
No! As long as you can send us a link or some evidence of your work in the media to highlight sustainable energy challenges, we’ll accept it. We love getting radio clips, PDFs of printed journalism, podcast links and TV snippets.As long as you’re working to raise awareness on a national level, and reaching a broad audience, we’d be happy to review it.

This is only for English speakers?
No! You can publish in any language, depending on your publication’s audience. From English, to Chichewa, Arabic to Lingala, we want you to put together a great piece for your audience to understand.

Timeline

March 18th: Submit your article link to the Climate Tracker App by midnight (GMT+3) on March 18th 2020

March 30th: Shortlisted applicants will then be sent a new link to submit their investigative story pitches by March 30th

April 10th: Our campaign final selections announced

Climate Tracker and Hivos will revise the articles submitted through the platform, give you feedback and tips, and select the best writers based on the Climate Tracker rating system.

To see all information, tips and questions, you can check the competition page on the Climate Tracker website. But if you still have doubts, feel free to email chris@climatetracker.org.

Be sure to register today! As we’re planning on sending training materials, webinar opportunities and information updates each week from now until March!

Climate tracker - Hivos journalist competition