Call for Applications: Rewriting the Narratives of Environmental Crimes in Nigeria Training Project

Applications are now open for the Rewriting the Narratives of Environmental Crimes in Nigeria training project organised by I-79 Media Consults, one of Nigeria’s leading media training hubs. 

The project stems from the idea that there is the need to intensify efforts in mainstreaming reports about environmental crimes, climate change, and biodiversity and aims to equip 20 campus journalists with the required knowledge about environmental crimes, climate change, and biodiversity in Southern Nigeria.

Selected participants will attend a 3-day online training with the theme “Environmental Crime Reporting in Southern Nigeria: Issues and Perspectives,” slated for March 17 – 19, 2022.

With support from the Environmental Reporting Collective (ERC), I-79 Media Consults will create an enabling environment for campus journalists – who have limited access to media opportunities – to develop skills in environmental crime reporting.

After the training, each participant will be supported with small grants to carry out reporting projects in their campus and/or local communities.

The investigative reports will be published in their respective press outfits, I-79 Media’s website, and newsletters. We are also open to further co-publishing this piece on additional platforms.

Areas of focus for our story pitches include: 

• Marine life, water and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing
• Oil and gas, natural resources, and illegal mining
• Forestry and wildlife
• Pollution and climate change, etc.

Story pitches (about 300-400 words in length) must show relevance, why such a story should be reported now, linkage with your local and/or indigenous communities, your location and access to the reporting site, and publication plan (a written agreement by the editor to publish said report will be required later). Kindly indicate if you’re co-publishing your piece on other additional platforms.

Applicants are urged to pitch stories from their immediate environment/state which may require less travel.

Selected participants will be paired with a team of experienced journalists who will mentor and guide them through the editing of their investigative pieces.

Interested applicants can submit up to three (3) weblinks/evidence of previously published works.

Persons from underrepresented and minority communities particularly persons with disability are encouraged to apply.

TO APPLY, fill this Google form on/before 5 pm (Nigerian Time) on Thursday, March 5, 2022.

For enquiries, contact i79mediaconsults@gmail.com