In September, the Earth Journalism Network announced the re-launch of its Biodiversity Media Initiative (BMI) project with a call for media grant applications. Now, following a rigorous review of the dozens of proposals received, we are pleased to announce that five organizations were awarded support totalling more than $60,000.
The selected finalists – from Argentina/Central America, Brazil, Mongolia, India and South Africa – span three continents and represent a broad range of geographies and environmental challenges. We were particularly impressed with their commitment to work that highlights or directly supports stories from youth, indigenous and other minority groups that have been among the most impacted by the effects of Covid-19.
Their activities will include a broad range of work, from the creation of podcasts about biodiversity to courses on environmental data journalism to a national network of biodiversity-focused reporters and trainings that will bolster journalists’ ability to report on biodiversity and conservation.
The 2021 BMI media grantees are:
- Claves21/LatinClima, Argentina/Central America/Latin America
- Open Knowledge Brazil/School of Data, Brazil
- Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development, Mongolia
- Land and Conflict Watch, India
- Roving Reporters, South Africa
The BMI project supports work that will improve media coverage of biodiversity and conservation issues in low- and middle-income countries where information is most under threat and urgently needed. It is made possible thanks to financial support from Arcadia, a charitable fund of Lisbet Rausing and Peter Baldwin.
(Banner photo: by Malte Michels/UnSplash)