Africa Data Hub (ADH) Community ‘Climate’ Journalism Fellowship 2022 (Cohort 3)

For the Africa Data Hub (ADH) Community “Climate” Journalism Fellowship 2022, applications are being accepted.
This latest appeal is different from the others in that it wants journalists who will be primarily responsible for recording and reporting on the health issues resulting from the recent floods that devastated numerous areas of Nigeria.
Environmental and climatic issues have been rapidly spreading around the world during the past ten years. Disasters have become an annual occurrence in sub-Saharan Africa, destroying homes, lives, farms, cattle, and other kinds of trade while displacing millions. The monetary loss is enormous. Experts have cautioned that these catastrophes could cause Africa to lose billions of dollars every year. Even though flooding occurs in Nigeria every year, the past few months have been particularly devastating. According to data intelligence and story platform Twentyten, as of October 10, 2022, about 33 out of 36 states of Nigeria have been affected by flood.

Details of the programme:

This new call is looking for reporters who want to cover the health consequences of communities’ struggles to get access to housing, food, and medical care. As it documents, gathers data, and connects the dots on the underlying causes—which have been linked to unusual rainfall, overflowing local rivers and dams, inadequate infrastructure, and non-implementation of environmental guidelines, among other things—it further aims to highlight how the already deteriorating poor health system of local communities has been greatly impacted by climate and environmental disasters.

This fellowship program will provide funds, skills building, and resources to community journalists so they can write data-driven, evidence-based reporting on the chosen issue. These studies will provide information on how to plan resources effectively, prepare for emergencies, reform policies, offer public services efficiently, foster grassroots development, and enhance quality of life.
The program will give priority to stories that go in-depth on community health issues related to climate change, natural disasters, flooding, unusual rivers, and dam overflows because they particularly affect women and girls and local communities.

Benefits:

• The fellows will participate in a hands-on capacity building Bootcamp that will provide
  training on climate reporting, data storytelling, and mapping techniques. Journalists will also
  learn how to source, analyze and visualize data in engaging and compelling ways.
• The fellowship will provide a grant sum for each fellow to support their reports.
• Published reports from fellows will be remade into short video documentaries.
• The fellows will also receive advice from mentors to improve their reporting and access to
  the entire ADH Community.
• The fellowship will provide additional editorial and technical support such as data research
  and analysis, data visualizations, infographics, and mapping for the stories produced by the
  fellows.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be journalists based in Nigeria.
• The number of grants available is limited, therefore the first 10 – 20 pitches received will
  stand the best chance of being considered.
• Pitches must meet ADH’s selected theme.
• Pitches from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations, especially community-based are encouraged to apply.

Requirements:

• All pitches must be no more than 250 words.
• The pitch should highlight the key issue you want to focus on, why it is relevant to the program and the extent to which it is under-reported.
• Applicants are expected to pitch stories in the communities in the states where they reside or nearby communities.
• Applicants are expected to participate in the 2 weeks Data Journalism Bootcamp online. Dates to be confirmed.
• Indicate why you are the right person to report it and the access you already have.
• Include a letter or email from the editor of a publication who is interested in publishing your story.

Click here to apply