News

Grants for writing Himalaya atmosphere news

17.05.2016

Air quality in the Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region is deteriorating by the day. The problem demands urgent attention from governments, policy makers, scientists, stakeholders and the public. The media could play an important role in this regard. With this realization, the Atmosphere Initiative at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) has decided to provide a limited number of grants to support professional journalists in gathering investigative stories that will help improve understanding of atmospheric problems and their solutions.

Declining air quality has posed grave problems in the eight ICIMOD member countries, namely Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan. There is a need to ensure that environmental reporters from the entire region have a good understanding of issues related to air pollution. The Story Grant Programme will support journalists interested in writing stories about climate change with a special focus on atmospheric issues.

This Story Grant Programme aims to encourage enthusiastic journalists in the region to write in-depth stories about atmospheric issues. The grant programme will also help enhance the journalists’ understanding of the science of air pollution so that their stories are grounded in science. The broad goal is to spread awareness about atmospheric issues among a broad range of audiences.

Objectives

• Increase awareness among media persons about air pollution and other critical atmospheric issues in the HKH region
• Enable journalists to write stories based on field visits, direct observation and meetings/interviews with relevant experts

Eligibility criteria

• Journalists from all media outlets can apply – print, radio, television, and online.
• Journalists of all nationalities may apply. However, preference will be given to journalists from ICIMOD’s regional member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal and Pakistan).
• Journalists who attended the regional media training workshop ‘Air Pollution, Its Sources and Impacts, and Mitigation Options’ are especially encouraged to apply.
• Journalists working in non-English media are welcome to apply, but must indicate a proficiency in English, as English is the working language of the programme.
• The candidates should have demonstrated a commitment to a career in journalism and covered relevant issues in the past.

Application guidelines

The call for participation is open from 16 May to 19 June 2016. Interested candidates will have to submit the online application form by 15 June 2016.

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Photo: ICIMOD/Arnico Panday