News

Story grant opportunity for Nepali journalists

03.08.2016

The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) is pleased to announce a story grant opportunity and invites applications from interested Nepali journalists to apply for the ICIMOD Small Story Grant 2016 – Nepal. Currently in its fourth edition, ICIMOD is introducing this seminal Fellowship Programme for Nepali journalists only. The Grant aims to strengthen capacity of environmental journalists from Nepal.

Climate change is a pressing issue in countries around the world. Nepal is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, with limited technical and financial capacity to adapt to its adverse impacts.

In recent years, Nepal, like other countries in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, has witnessed an increasing number of extreme weather conditions and climate-related disasters, including catastrophic floods, droughts and landslides. Such disasters can have devastating effects on people, communities and ecosystems. The recent earthquake in Nepal and the subsequent landslides claimed numerous lives and caused massive damage to property. Those events are a reminder that mountains are acutely vulnerable to natural disasters. Given the predicted increase in extreme weather-related events, mountain communities are likely to face more pressure in the future. Climate change will severely affect the lives and livelihoods of both upstream mountain communities and downstream communities that are highly dependent on upstream ecosystem services like water for irrigation and hydropower, fresh drinking water, and soil fertility and nutrients. Mountain regions across the world will disproportionately suffer the impact of climate change.

Sustainable mountain development can be a way forward for addressing these problems. While scientists in the region have carried out valuable research on climate change, the media have made a significant contribution by disseminating findings and information about the topic. To support the role of the media in creating public awareness about climate change, ICIMOD is introducing a Small Story Grant for Nepali journalists for 2016.

The primary goal of ICIMOD Small Story Grant 2016 initiated by the Knowledge Management and Communication (KMC) is to help strengthen the capacity of environmental journalists from Nepal. The Grant aims to build a deeper understanding of issues related to climate change and sustainable mountain development.

The Grant is linked to ICIMOD’s regional programmes and initiatives. The grantees will receive guidance from ICIMOD experts in writing clear, informative and accurate stories about topics related to climate and mountain development.

Eligibility criteria:
• The grant targets early to mid-level Nepali journalists with three to five years of professional experience.
• Journalists working for any mainstream media – print, broadcast or web – will be considered.
• Freelance journalists can apply, but he/she must produce a letter from the editor of a media house guaranteeing that his/her work would be published or broadcast.
• Journalists working in non-English media are welcome to apply.
• Candidates should have covered environmental issues in the past.

Value of the Small Story Grant:
The value of the Small Story Grant, inclusive travel, research and contingency is US$1 000.
• 50% of the grant will be disbursed in advance and 50% on completion and submission of three stories.
• The grant may be used between September and December 2016.
• Successful grantees must publish/broadcast at least three stories in English or Nepali language.
• The project, including associated travel/research and publication of stories, should be completed within the given time frame (by end December 2016).

The deadline to apply is 15 August 2016.

See the ICIMOD site for application guidelines and selection process 

Photo: ICIMOD