CJID/UNESCO Storytelling Fellowship for Environmental Journalists in West Africa 2026

Fellowships & Capacity Building | Deadline: June 8, 2026

If you are a journalist in West Africa with a passion for environmental reporting, here is an opportunity you cannot afford to miss. The Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), in partnership with the UNESCO Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF), is inviting environmental journalists to apply for a six-month investigative storytelling fellowship.  

About the Programme

The fellowship is designed to strengthen investigative journalism, enhance media safety awareness, and support compelling storytelling focused on violence and threats against environmental journalists in the region.  

Environmental journalists across West Africa face growing dangers for simply doing their job — exposing ecological threats, holding polluters accountable, and speaking truth on environmental injustice. This fellowship is a direct response to that reality.

The programme objectives are to:

provide training and mentorship for journalists who report on attacks against environmental journalists, strengthen capacity for investigative reporting, produce and publish stories on violence against environmental reporters, and disseminate work in line with international standards. 

Eligibility

Who Should Apply?

The fellowship is open to professional journalists currently resident in Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Freelance/independent and female journalists are strongly encouraged to apply.  

Country Eligibility: Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia

Selection Process

Applications will undergo a thorough review with shortlisted candidates proceeding to the next stage. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Apply using the link below 👇🏼 

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdSdYbh7jxSDpqjqLLire-pL-AkvAbPw_fXEMzssdouBDZasQ/viewform

Application Deadline

📅 Monday, 8 June 2026

Do not wait until the last minute — gather your documents, prepare your pitch, and apply today. Share this with a journalist who needs to see it.