Environmental Journalism Training Program

The Legal Aid Forum Rwanda (LAF) in partnership with Thomson Media with the support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development in Germany, is delighted to launch an Environmental Journalism Training Program for accredited Rwandan journalists based in Rwanda.

The program seeks to equip local journalists with essential skills and legal support to effectively report on environmental issues, including environmental crimes, the green economy, climate change, and sustainable adaption.

The Environmental Journalism Training Program will master essential reporting skills, navigate potential legal challenges, and receive expert legal support throughout your project.

Benefits of the program

•  You will learn from experts in environmental reporting
• The goal is to build practical skills in environmental reporting and master its legal challenges
• You have the chance to learn in person from environmental journalists and legal experts through interactive workshops
• You will receive production grant upon meeting criteria
• You will get to understand media laws and receive free legal assistance from senior lawyers
• The program is open to employed and freelance journalists.

Eligibility Criteria

• Journalists working in any medium or multiple media are welcome to apply (print, online, radio or television).
• Journalists should be based in Rwanda and work for local or international media organisations.
• Journalists applying must be fluent in English
• Both freelancers and staff journalists may apply. Journalists working for a news organisation will need consent from their editor to take part. Freelancers should provide evidence that a media organisation is willing to take their work.
• You will need to provide a letter from your editor consenting to your participation and confirming that they will publish any story produced through the program. The letter from your editor needs to be signed and on official letterhead. Freelancers will also need a letter of recommendation from their editor, to ensure that their story will be published. This means affiliation to a media outlet is essential.

Up to twelve of the fifteen successful applicants will receive production support of RWF 2,000,000 to help them produce their stories. Production support will be disbursed in six tranches during story production.

How to apply

The deadline for applications is September 12, 2024. To learn more and apply, please click here.