COP30 Climate Journalism Fellowship Announced for Reporters from Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP), led by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, has opened applications for the COP30 CCMP Reporting Fellowship Program.

This initiative will support journalists from low- and middle-income countries in covering the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP30), which will take place in Belém, Brazil, from November 10–21, 2025. A special World Leaders’ Summit will precede the main conference on November 6–7.

Fellowship Details

This 18th edition of the program continues CCMP’s mission of empowering journalists from the Global South, having supported over 500 reporters since 2007. Given Belém’s limited infrastructure and location in the Amazon rainforest, this year’s fellowship includes both in-person and virtual tracks, with flexible arrangements due to potential logistical challenges.

In-Person Fellows Will Receive:

• Fully funded travel, accommodation (potentially shared), meals, local transport, and travel insurance

• A small stipend for incidental expenses

• Editorial mentorship and pre-conference training workshops

• Access to press briefings, expert interviews, and networking events

• Support with press accreditation and reporting logistics

Virtual Fellows (Pacific Island journalists only) Will Receive:

• A communications stipend for internet access

• Access to livestreams and conference recordings

• Editorial support and virtual mentorship

• Opportunities to join group interviews via Zoom

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be based in a low- or middle-income country or the Pacific Islands (for virtual applicants)

• Be working journalists (freelance or affiliated) with prior climate reporting experience

• Not have attended any previous COP (self-funded or supported)

• Submit two recent climate-related work samples (published between July 15, 2024, and July 15, 2025)

• Submit a short video pitch (2 minutes max) and a letter of editorial support from a media outlet

• Be proficient in English

Freelancers are welcome to apply, provided they have a commitment from a media outlet to publish their stories.

Selection Criteria

Fellows will be selected based on:

• Climate reporting experience

• Quality and specificity of story pitch and reporting plan

• Potential impact and publication reach of proposed stories

• Media diversity and geographic representation

Application Deadline

Applications are open from June 16 to July 15, 2025. Late submissions will not be accepted.