Mongabay.org

Application Deadline: January 31st, 2014

Growing evidence suggests that community control of forests provides conservation, development, and climate change mitigation benefits. But while the global area of forest owned by indigenous peoples and local communities has increased over the past decade, many forest dependent communities continue to face insecure tenure, overlapping or conflicting ownership claims, and the risk of expropriation by government or industry.

Moreover, the climate mitigation benefits of community-controlled forests remain poorly recognized, and the connection between land and resource rights and climate change is poorly understood by the general public. This SRI challenges you to bring attention to the climate change benefits of community forests.

Potential questions:

• Communities effectively managing their forests to achieve livelihood and climate mitigation benefits
• An in-depth look at a the functioning of successful community forest enterprises
• Communities in conflict with government or a private company over forest rights
• How the government and company officials have responded, and possible solutions

This SRI does not have a specific focal geography, though research must be focused on areas where there are community forestry projects. The scope could be a municipality in Brazil, a country, or an entire region. Your proposal will be evaluated based on the originality of your idea and your ability to write a series of interesting and engaging stories. Mongabay.org will commit up to $20,000 to fund the top proposal: $15,000 as a stipend and up to $5,000 for reporting and travel costs. You will have three months for travel and research and three months for writing. You can work from anywhere in the world.

HOW TO APPLY: Visit our Apply page