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Pendjari National Park in Benin is one of the largest remaining strongholds for elephants in WestAfrica. Photo by Jonas Vande Voorde/African Parks/National Geographic Society.

In November 2023, Mongabay officially expanded its coverage of environmental and conservation news in Africa by launching a news bureau dedicated to producing our renowned and award-winning brand of journalism in both French and English.

Only a few short months later, Mongabay Africa is launching its first-ever French-language fellowship program for environmental journalism on the continent.

Applications are open until March 15.

Overview

In an era when environmental degradation is increasingly apparent, the role of quality environmental journalism cannot be overstated. Unfortunately, the evolution of business models in media has resulted in limited opportunities for budding journalists, particularly in regions heavily impacted by climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution and threats to Indigenous communities and oceans.

In response to this situation, Mongabay Africa has established the Environmental Reporting Fellowship in French for journalism on the continent. The program provides opportunities for journalists from biodiversity hotspots in low- and middle-income income tropical countries to report on critical environmental issues.

This is an exceptional opportunity for budding environmental journalists from biodiversity hotspots in tropical countries in Africa. Fellows gain valuable training, experience and credibility to help them advance their careers in journalism and communications. Ultimately, we aim for fellows to join our growing global network as regular Mongabay contributors.

For the initial cohort, candidates must live in one of the following countries:

• Bénin
• Burkina Faso
• Côte d’Ivoire
• Mali
• Niger
• Togo

Please consult this page in French for details on eligibility and how to apply.

Goals and opportunities

The Mongabay Africa Environmental Reporting Fellowship addresses these challenges head-on. It aims to provide journalists from biodiversity-rich African countries with the chance to report on critical environmental issues. This program is not just about reporting; it offers comprehensive training, experience, and credibility, which are crucial for advancing careers in journalism and communications.

Structure

The fellowship supports two cohorts of six fellows per year. The initial cohort will run between April and June 2024.

Apply for the French-language fellowship

Aspiring participants have until March 15, 2024, to submit their applications. As this is a francophone fellowship program, only applications in French will be accepted. Details regarding eligibility and the application procedure can be found here.