EJN Media Grants 2026 and Earth Journalism Network, Africa & Asia

The EJN Media Grants 2026 offer a specialized funding opportunity for media organizations committed to documenting environmental and forest management issues. This program aims to improve the capacity of journalists to produce high-quality, evidence-based stories concerning forest governance policies and solutions. Furthermore, the grants seek to amplify the voices of marginalized communities who are most affected by forest management. Consequently, this initiative plays a pivotal role in bringing sustainable forest management to the forefront of public and political discourse.

Program Highlights

Feature	Details
Program Title	EJN Media Grants 2026: Reporting on Forest Governance
Organizing Institution	Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN)
Funding Partner	UK International Development (UK Government)
Grant Value	Up to £10,000 per award
Total Awards	Nine organizations (Approximately one per country)
Application Deadline	February 26, 2026

Program Overview

The EJN Media Grants 2026 are designed to increase the depth and frequency of media coverage regarding forest governance in specific regions of Africa and Asia. Specifically, projects funded by these grants should focus on building the skills of journalists to report on complex environmental policies and forest-related challenges. In addition, supported projects are expected to draw attention to both the threats facing forests and the equitable solutions required for their sustainable management.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the EJN Media Grants 2026, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Eligible Countries: Organizations must be legally based in Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon, Vietnam, or Indonesia.
• Organization Type: Applications are welcome from journalist networks, media organizations, civil society organizations, or academic institutions.
• Professional Preference: Preference is given to professional journalists, journalism schools, and media-affiliated groups.
• Language Proficiency: All applications must be submitted in English, and applicants must have a working understanding of English for communication purposes.
• AI Transparency: Applicants are required to be transparent about using generative AI tools; AI-generated content submitted as original work may lead to disqualification.
• Exclusions: Projects focusing on political campaigning or advocacy are not eligible for this grant opportunity.

Curriculum & Reporting Standards

Grantees are expected to adhere to the high-quality journalism standards set by the Forest Governance Media Initiative (FGMI). Key focus areas for reporting include:

• Stakeholder Representation: Ensuring all relevant stakeholders are represented in stories fairly.
• Inclusion of Marginalized Voices: Prioritizing the perspectives of communities directly impacted by forest policy.
• Editorial Integrity: Using attributable quotes and personal narratives to create engaging, evidence-based content.

Learning & Impact Outcomes

Organizations participating in the EJN Media Grants 2026 will achieve several critical outcomes:

• Enhanced organizational capacity to cover environmental and conservation topics.
• Improved ability for journalists to interpret and report on complex forest governance data.
• Increased public awareness of localized forest management solutions.
• Development of innovative media projects that use cost-effective approaches to reporting.

Registration Details

Detail	Information
Closing Date	February 26, 2026
Submission Portal	Apply
Budget Guidance	Proposals with competitive, cost-effective budgets are preferred.
Selection Process	Applications are judged by an international panel of experts and Internews staff.

Contact Information

For detailed inquiries regarding the application or project guidelines, please visit the official EJN Grants page or contact the coordinators through the Internews website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum grant amount for the EJN Media Grants 2026?

The program anticipates awarding £10,000 to each of the nine selected organizations.

Which regions are covered by this grant?

The grant is specifically targeted at organizations in West and Central Africa (Liberia, Ghana, Cameroon) and Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Indonesia).

Can non-media NGOs apply for this grant?

Yes, NGOs and environmental groups can apply if they are looking to build journalist capacity, though professional media organizations are given preference.

Is it possible to submit the application in a local language?

No, the EJN only has the capacity to review and process applications submitted in English at this time.

Are former EJN grantees allowed to apply?

Yes, former or existing grantees are eligible, but their previous performance will be a factor during the selection process.