🚨 UPDATE 🚨
In light of recent circumstances with the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we have unfortunately had to postpone our planned workshop in Manila that was originally set for April 1-3.
BUT make sure to keep an eye out for our updates, as alternative arrangements involving future dates and investigative grants are in the works. We will be updating applicants on our new plans very soon!
Allan Jay Quesada, a Climate Tracker 2019 Fellow from the Philippines, documents the impact of plastic pollution along the Pasig River in Manila.
Have you ever dreamed of a fully funded chance to travel to Europe and report on the world’s biggest issues?
Have you ever wanted to upgrade some of your skills in Data and Mobile journalism?
Send us a 300 word story PITCH on a story on climate justice before March 19 and this could be you!
The Workshop
15 journalists from the Philippines will get the chance to join a three-day workshop in Manila between April 1-3, to learn about climate justice, energy democracy, and the critical skill-set necessary for 21st century journalists to succeed.
Grants
The workshop will take place in Central, Quezon City of Metro Manila – AND WE HAVE 5 TRAVEL GRANTS for applicants from across the Philippines to attend the workshop! One participant will also be selected to receive an INVESTIGATIVE REPORTING GRANT to write a longer story following the workshop.
The Opportunity
Finally, one journalist will be selected from this group for a fully-funded trip to Germany, to join the Climate Tracker team and cover the UN climate talks in June!
Who
We are looking to mold the next generation of Climate journalists! If you are an early to mid-career journalist from the Philippines looking for the opportunity to learn from industry-leading experts, we’d love you to send in your story pitch.
You don’t need to have published on the topic before, or have any pre-existing knowledge in the field. If you’re interested in applying your skills, and can put together a great short pitch of a possible story, we’d love to see it.
Also, if you’re more of an activist, or student, and only published a few stories in the past, but are thinking of taking your reporting to the next level; we’d love you to apply!
The Challenge
If you’d like to try out for this opportunity, we need you to submit a short story PITCH. The pitch should be around 350 words, and should be describing a story you’d love to report on in the Philippines after our workshop.
Climate Tracker’s 2018 team at the UN climate talks
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
The 3 day workshop in Central Quezon City will take place between April 1-3 will include:
Data journalism training to equip you in finding and understanding the data you need for cutting edge climate stories
Mobile journalism training from innovative journalists in the field
Leading Energy experts from across the private sector and civil society organisations
Investigative storytelling insights from trainers with more than 20 years of experience
Climate campaigners and communicators who can get you the latest analysis on the Philippines and global climate challenge
Insights into what you need and how to set up your own climate Podcast
All Participants will get free access to the workshop, and will also receive accommodation, a transport stipend, and all meals!
I’M ALL IN! WHAT DO I NEED TO DO?
To apply, all you need to is pitch a story (approximately 300 words but no longer than 1 page) on climate or energy justice that includes:
Key story details such as the “what, where, when, how, and why” of the story
Why is this a critical story to cover?
How is this linked to the themes of energy or climate justice?
How will you cover the story (your methods and steps needed to research the piece), and how will the story be feasible within 3 weeks?
Additionally, please include a short bio of:
Who you are and your journalism experience
Where you are now based?
Why you are interested in this opportunity?
Filipino journalist Jhesset Enano leading a workshop in Poland in 2018, in Poland
HOW YOU COULD BE SELECTED TO REPORT ON THE UN IN EUROPE
During the workshop, Climate Tracker mentors will support you to refine your story pitch, and outline just how you might cover these critical issues.
Then, each workshop participant will have 3 weeks to cover their chosen story and publish it nationally.
From these publications, a jury of Climate Tracker’s mentors and Filipino leading experts will select the best applicant for our fully funded reporting opportunity at the UN.
TIMELINE
March 9: Campaign opens
March 19: Campaign closes – Submit your story pitch to the Climate Tracker App by midnight (GMT +3) on March 19th, 2020
April 1-3: Workshop in Central Quezon City
April 3 – 30: Write and publish your article with the support of Climate Tracker. One participant will be selected to receive an investigative reporting grant for a longer story!
June 1-11: One lucky participant will attend and cover the Bonn Climate Change Conference in Germany on a fully-funded trip
FAQs
What do you mean by story pitch?
If you’ve never pitched a story before, we’ve created a quick and easy template for you to use here! All you have to do is download the PDF, fill it out, and share it with us on our app through a Google Drive or Dropbox link (make sure the privacy settings are set to open).
We’ve also created a How to Pitch toolkit, in case you wanted any tips for your pitch!
Can we pitch more than one story?
Yes! We encourage applicants to submit more than one pitch.
Does the pitch have to be in English?
Yes
For more information, applying tips and questions, you can click here. If you still have any questions, feel free to email chris@climatetracker.org