As the impacts of climate change become more apparent on a global scale, the need to adapt to climate impacts and to make sure that governments and other entities live up to the commitments they made at the Paris Climate Summit have become more urgent. But without information, people can neither understand nor effectively respond to the events that shape their world. As the ways in which information flows evolve, local media play a crucial role in improving the information ecosystem for adaptation communication.
Key questions:
- What innovation is needed to improve the production and distribution of adaptation information and to hold governments to account for their commitments in Paris?
- How do media outlets understand and incorporate the information needs of vulnerable populations in coverage of climate change?
- Are there barriers to information access that new approaches can help overcome?
- Can local media improve information use within existing adaptation efforts?
- How can media organizations build resilient information ecosystems in the face of increasing climate-induced stressors?
What types of projects does this grant opportunity support?
Projects funded by this grant should have a strong thematic focus on climate change adaptation and/or the response to the Paris Climate Agreement. Particular attention should be given to information needs and challenges of vulnerable and marginalized communities. Applications should mention any local adaptation case studies they plan to incorporate into the project or explain how their project is an example of adaptation.
The primary focus of this grants opportunity is on the application of novel techniques for improving communication around climate change adaptation and the response to the Paris agreement. However, we are open to applications that include fellowships and travel grants that support specific story ideas or coverage of key events, so long as these activities have a clear relationship to the innovative components of the project.
Content production is an important aspect of any project but applications without an innovation component will not be considered.
Examples of previous grants projects:
- The Ocean Acidification Report is an email newsletter based report that produces consistent media coverage about the quickly evolving scientific understanding of the ocean acidification and how communities most affected by the changing ocean are responding. With the grant, OA report produced a series of frontline stories about the human impacts of ocean acidification for it scientific and industry audiences. The funding also provided added resources for international outreach activities and audience analytics.
- The Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists is built a SMS-based news service that connects hyper-local reports on environmental issues and disaster events to a national audience. The project included the development of a new website and trainings about climate vulnerability and disaster reporting held with local journalists and their audiences. For more information on the project’s methodology please visit: http://geojournalism.org/2013/10/frontlinesms-how-to-create-a-mobile-newsroom-for-disaster-reporting/
Who is eligible to apply for this grant?
The Innovation Grants for Climate Change Adaptation and Response are designed primarily to support the work of already existing media outlets, journalism networks, and associations where additional funding is needed to pursue innovative or experimental approaches.
New ventures are eligible for this funding. Applicants should provide information about sustaining this project after the initial seed funding provided under this grant.
As Internews is strictly a media development organization, please avoid any applications rooted in advocacy or political campaigning.
Where can this funding be used?
We are predominantly focused on the developing world, where the need is often the greatest and the pool of available resources is limited. However, we are open to proposals from anywhere, and in this case we would be interested in projects that focus on efforts led by or involving women, youth and indigenous peoples.
How much funding is available for the grants?
This grant fund contains $75,000 USD and ideally will be allocated to 5 projects. While the average for each grant is approximately $15,000 USD, we can provide funding over the average for projects that demonstrates a critical need.
The deadline for applications is March 18, 2016 at 5:00 PM EST. Applications submitted after this time will not be considered.
Additional information:
- Grantees are expected to give their full cooperation in monitoring and evaluating the results of the projects, and are encouraged to submit their own monitoring and evaluation plan along with their application. The final monitoring and evaluation plan will be agreed upon by EJN and each individual grantee.
- Applicants are required to submit a budget. Please build your project budget using this form
- The projects are generally expected to take place this year, and we are particularly looking to see a significant portion of activities carried out prior to the COP22 Climate Summit held in early November, 2016. Final reports for accepted projects must be filed no later than Feb 10, 2017.
- Projects that can offer or raise co-financing to complement EJN’s support will be favorably viewed.
- All applicants will be updated on the status of proposals by April 22, 2016.
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