The IGAD Media Awards 2026

The IGAD Media Awards 2026 will recognise outstanding journalism and digital storytelling on migration, forced displacement, labour mobility, free movement, decent work, protection and regional integration. Held in November 2026 in Kampala, Uganda, the Awards will promote accurate, human-centred and evidence based reporting that protects dignity, counters misinformation and highlights human mobility as a driver of integration, cooperation and shared prosperity.

Eligibility

The IGAD Media Awards 2026 are open to journalists, media practitioners, digital creators and storytellers whose work focuses on migration, labour mobility, forced displacement, free movement, protection, decent work and regional integration in the IGAD region. Eligible applicants may include:

• Journalists working in print, broadcast, radio, television, digital and multimedia platforms.
• Photojournalists and visual storytellers.
• Digital creators, influencers and multimedia producers.
• Community media practitioners and indigenous language reporters.
• Young and emerging journalists.
• Editors, senior journalists and media practitioners whose body of work has contributed to public understanding of migration, displacement, labour mobility and regional integration.
• Applicants should submit work that has been published, broadcast or publicly shared through a recognised media platform, digital channel, community media outlet or professional communication platform.

Thematics 

The 2026 theme- “Human Mobility for Regional Integration: Free Movement, Decent Work, Protection and Shared Prosperity”, positions human mobility as more than movement across borders. It is about people, livelihoods, labour, data, rights, dignity, protection, opportunity and the future of regional integration. The award categories include:

• Migration for Regional Integration Reporting Award
• Free Movement of Persons and Regular Mobility Pathways Reporting Award
• Labour Migration and Decent Work Reporting Award
• Climate and Conflict Induced Displacement Reporting Award
• Women, Youth and Girls in Migration and Displacement Reporting Award
• Migration Photojournalism Award
• Digital Creator Award for Responsible Migration Narratives
• Indigenous Language Media Award on Migration and Mobility
• Emerging Journalist Award in Migration and Displacement Reporting
• Lifetime Achievement Award in Migration and Displacement Journalism

Requirements

Applicants should ensure that their entries:

• Relate clearly to migration, labour mobility, forced displacement, free movement, protection, decent work, remittances, social cohesion or regional integration.
• Are factual, ethical and based on verified information.
• Include human voices and respect the dignity of people on the move.
• Avoid stigma, xenophobia, misinformation and sensationalism.
• Demonstrate originality, depth and public relevance.
• Reflect the realities, challenges and contributions of migrants, refugees, internally displaced persons, pastoralists, host communities, women and young people.
• Are submitted in the correct category.
• Stories must have been published, broadcast, or aired no earlier than January 2022.

How to apply 

Applications are now open and those interested can submit their work on this page and find more information on this page.