Opportunity: Pitch us a Food, Farming, and Climate Story

Global food systems account for 1/3 of total greenhouse gas emissions and simultaneously hold many of the solutions to the climate emergency, but receive very little media coverage, especially in developing country media contexts. Part of the reason is that it is a very complex story to cover, and often, it is told from a western lens. Many journalists around the world lack the support structures, data access, expert sources, and financial resources needed to tell this story well. 

With COP26, set to take place in Glasgow in November 2021, there is a key opportunity to spread awareness and build a social movement around the need to integrate just and sustainable food policies within national climate action plans.  

In this sense, we hope to support the Glasgow Process, which leverages the role of local governments and farmers as a progressive force on food and climate issues through dialogue, to become a reality not just as an international movement, but as a locally understood media story. We also hope that through our model of training, paired with journalistic independence and nationally-focused publications, we will be able to support a group of young journalists to become long term agricultural policy storytellers. 

THE OPPORTUNITY

Over the course of 4 months, we plan to work with a group of 6 international early-career journalism fellows to develop a series of powerful feature stories focusing on key issues and events linked to the Glasgow Process. 

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

• Training
  
  If selected, you will receive both collective and individual support for a period of 3 weeks. Our aim is to help you develop as a reporter, with emphasis on the field of climate, food  and agricultural storytelling. At the end of the training period, you will have developed a core thematic and journalistic understanding of the issues.
  
• Writing and Mentoring
  
  After the training period, you will be challenged to publish 2 stories in national media, covering the lead up and the local/national Fork to Farm Dialogue event, linked to the Glasgow Process You’ll get the chance to truly take a bite into refining your skill set and participate in collective reflections and peer learning. This time would also involve far more specific support on your individual stories and the research, drafting and editorial stages of publishing.
  
• In-depth Publishing
  
  You’ll then move on to the next stage of the fellowship, which will run for 10 weeks. You will be challenged to pitch, research, investigate, and publish an in-depth story linked to the Fork to Farm Dialogue and Glasgow Process. Your story will be published in national media and we will support republication in regional or international media.
  
  We’ll be with you every step of the way, through your investigative storytelling journey and you’ll be encouraged to build on the support of all fellows. You’ll receive investigative and interviewing skills, logistical and editorial support.
  
• Get PAID!
  We offer a stipend for two months (180EUR per month) and then a grant for an in-depth story (350EUR).

If this sounds like something you’re interested in, then now is your time to submit a pitch of 150-200 words for a story focusing on food policy challenges in your country, and how farmers see their future in the ever-changing world 

ARE YOU IN? HERE’S HOW TO APPLY! 

Go over to our App, sign up, sign in, and submit the URL to an open Google Document outlining: 

1. Your 150-200 pitch
2. Link to work you’ve published
3. Link to your CV

It’s that easy! So what are you waiting for! We’re already looking out for your pitch. 

Deadline to apply: 16th June, 2021

IMPORTANT FOR YOUR TO KNOW 

What do we expect from you?

1. Participating in all training and mentoring sessions.
2. Fulfilling thematic based learning challenges, quizzes and materials.
3. Submitting drafts of all their work to Climate Tracker team members in a timely manner
4. Following up on editorial reviews
5. Publishing 2 feature food and climate stories in national or regional newspapers. These stories would be published in the lead up to, and following the local/national Fork to Farm dialogue event you are following.
6. Pitching and Publishing an in-depth story following the national Fork to Farm Dialogue event, focusing on key challenges and opportunities linked to realising sustainable food policies.

What language will you be publishing in?

You can pitch and publish in any language you’re most comfortable with! 

Are you eligible to apply?

This opportunity is open for early-career journalists and we’re specifically interested in selecting persons from the following countries/cities:

1. Oyo State, Nigeria
2. Palawan, Philippines 
3. Jayapura, Indonesia 
4. Mexico City, Mexico
5. Quito, Ecuador
6. Antwerp and Leuven, Belgium
7. Kenya (coastal, border with Tanzania & highlands)
8. Tanzania (Dodoma, Babate and Songea)

We’re looking for journalists with a passion for learning and raising awareness about food systems, agriculture and climate change

We’re excited about the stories you will dive into and anticipating working with you, so don’t delay, apply TODAY! If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact our Outreach Team at dizzanne@climatetracker.org.