Climate Culture Journalism Grant

• Eligibility Criteria: Journalists, news organisations and media from, or closely connected with the APAC region.
  Freelancers must be part of a news organisation.
• Type of Funding: Grant
• Region: Asia-Pacific
• Application Language: English

5-people, 5-slides, 5-mins to pitch your innovation on the cXc Climate Culture Pitch Stage during WAN-IFRA Digital
Media Asia, Manila, 28 April 2026. ClimateXchange (cXc), a flagship initiative of Syli, is inviting media innovators to pitch bold, original ideas at the intersection of climate, culture, and technology that are the mechanisms of change for a better climate.

Thematics

The grant is an opportunity to think big and experiment with innovation around climate news narratives and to put audience needs first, to deliver value in the idea, and develop groundbreaking product solutions. As examples, applicants may think of solutions like:

• Climate-positive urban mobility apps
• Climate education grounded in culture
• Indigenous land and biodiversity monitoring platforms
• Sustainable fashion traceability platforms, or climate storytelling powered by technology.

Also, consider how your solution links to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially; SDG2 Zero Hunger, SDG4 Quality Education, SDG11 Sustainable Cities And Communities, SDG13 Climate Action.

W‍hat the grant offers 

• In addition to the US$10,000 support, the winning grantee will receive mentorship from cXc.
• cXc’s editorial, impact, and innovation teams will guide grantees to bring your innovation to life.
• cXc may also bring in external support from a bench of experts if needed to support your product development.

Eligibility 

• Journalists, news organisations and media from, or closely connected with the APAC region.
• Freelancers must be part of a news organisation.
• Pitches must show a clear social impact, return value to the community, and / or be linked to Sustainable Development Goals (SGDs).
• Pitches must bring together technology, climate, and culture.
• You may submit pitches as a single journalist, or in collaborative teams if desired.
• You must be able to commit to the timeline and reporting requirements.
• The pitch deck is 5-slides only, any submissions changing this will not be valid.
• One ticket (one per pitch) to attend 2-days (April 28 & 29, 2026) of the Digital Media Asia conference is provided.
• Travel and accommodation to Digital Media Asia is not covered, you must be able to cover this cost, and present in-person at the Pitch Stage on April 28, 2026. No virtual pitches are allowed.

How to apply 

Applicants should submit their pitches through this application form. They should:

• Submit an online application detailing applicant information, the overall pitch idea, the impact and relevance of the innovation, budget breakdown, and anything additional they would like cXc to know.
• They must also share with cXc a 5-slide pitch deck using this template, also found in the application form.
• They must save their own copy of the template, and share a link to their deck via the application form when promoted. If they are shortlisted, this deck will form the basis of their presentation on the pitch stage.
• They can also contact emma@syli.org.uk or schedule a discovery call to discuss their application further.

The last date to apply is 11 March 2026, 5.00pm SGT.

For more information, please visit this page.