Earth Journalism Network Applications are now open for Forest Governance Story Grants 2025, Forest governance is now widely acknowledged as a cornerstone of global action to combat climate change, biodiversity loss, poverty, and inequality. In 2021, over 130 countries—covering more than 90% of the world’s forests—pledged to halt and reverse forest loss by 2030. At the same time, consumer markets are being regulated to reduce their forest footprints, while tropical nations are pursuing forest sector reforms through inclusive, multistakeholder approaches.
Across many regions, governments are increasingly recognizing community forest management rights, amplifying the voices of marginalized groups such as women and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)—those most affected by climate change and environmental degradation. New investment opportunities are also emerging, ranging from trade in legal and sustainable forest products to growing markets for carbon and nature credits.
Despite this momentum, forests continue to face intensifying pressures, alongside rising inequality and climate-driven threats. Persistent governance challenges remain in many countries, including weak rule of law, limited transparency and accountability, insufficient stakeholder participation, obstacles to civil society and community engagement, and the continued marginalization of women and other vulnerable groups.
To spotlight these critical issues, the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is launching the Forest Governance Media Initiative (FGMI) with a new story grant call. The initiative invites journalists to report on forest governance issues at the local level in Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam, and Indonesia, as well as journalists based in the UK, EU member states, China, India, and Japan who wish to cover international forest governance processes.
Under this opportunity, up to seven story grants will be awarded initially, with more grants expected as the initiative progresses. Beyond financial support, selected journalists will benefit from one-on-one mentoring by experienced professionals throughout the story development and production process. This initiative is funded by UK International Development through the UK government.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the full details and submit their applications before the specified deadline to seize this grant opportunity.
Last Date of Submission: 6th January 2025
Story Themes
(Earth Journalism Network Applications are now open for Forest Governance Story Grants 2025)
We are interested in pitches focused on the following country-specific themes, though we will also accept applications for forest governance stories outside of these themes:
Indonesia: Deforestation driven by oil palm plantations and mineral mining, IPLC land rights, forest law enforcement gaps, social forestry, the SVLK timber legality assurance system and FLEGT licensed timber.
Vietnam: Timber trade, REDD+, implementation of the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU, benefit sharing for local communities.
Cameroon: REDD+, community forestry, illegal logging and related activities, cocoa plantations and forest law enforcement.
Liberia: Illegal logging, mining and deforestation, financial crimes, EU-Liberia directives and agreements.
Ghana: Impacts of gold mining and cocoa production on forests, implementation of FLEGT licensing.
International: International forest governance processes, trade relationships or policies that affect Indonesia, Vietnam, Cameroon, Liberia and Ghana, such as the EU Regulation on Deforestation-free Products (EUDR), REDD+, the Global Biodiversity Framework, etc.
We aim to support the production of stories that raise awareness about and contribute to forest governance processes such as legal reforms and policy implementation, and drive conversation among stakeholders at local, national, regional and international levels. Proposals that focus on topics or stories that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of media coverage or don’t provide unique angles to forest governance challenges are unlikely to be selected.
Eligibility
(Earth Journalism Network Applications are now open for Forest Governance Story Grants 2025)
Applicants can be from any country, but we are particularly interested in applications from journalists in Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam and Indonesia on the topics outlined above.
We are also requesting applications from journalists worldwide who wish to report on international forest governance processes, trade relationships or policies that affect the five target countries listed above. For these proposals, we are especially interested in applications from journalists in the UK, EU member states (particularly Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France and Belgium), China, India and Japan.
Groups of journalists are eligible. In the case of Cameroon and Vietnam, cross-border collaborations between journalists within and outside of these countries would also be acceptable. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds on the group’s behalf, if awarded.
For the purposes of this grant opportunity, we will only be accepting applications in English. Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to consider applications in other languages at this time. Applicants must either have a working understanding of English or have a translator available to assist with communication with Internews staff.
Applications are open to journalists working in any medium (online, print, television, radio) and other expert media practitioners with professional reporting experience. We welcome applications from early-career journalists and experienced reporters with a track record of covering biodiversity, climate or forest issues. We encourage applications from freelance reporters and staff from all types of media organizations—international, national, local and community-based.
Selected journalists will be expected to produce work in line with the project’s high-quality journalism standards, which include but are not limited to; the inclusion of marginalized sources, data, multimedia and other elements to be discussed and agreed during onboarding for this grant opportunity.
Applicants are required to be transparent about the use of generative AI tools, if any, to revise their proposals. EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct, including, but not limited to, submitting AI-generated content as their own.
Story logistics
(Earth Journalism Network Applications are now open for Forest Governance Story Grants 2025)
We expect to award 7 story grants with an average budget of 1,500 GBP each.
We plan to issue grants in February 2026 with the expectation that all stories will be published by September 2026, though more time may be possible in exceptional cases. Applicants should consider this timeline when drafting their workplan.
Judging criteria
(Earth Journalism Network Applications are now open for Forest Governance Story Grants 2025)
Applicants should consider the following points when devising their story proposals.
Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of the call? Why does this story matter and to whom? Is the main idea, context and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?
Angle: If the story has been covered, does your proposal bring new insights to the topic or offer a fresh angle?
Reach: Does the proposed media outlet have a wide reach? Journalists publishing their work at outlets that typically restrict content behind paywalls are encouraged to secure commitments to publish from additional outlets, or request an exception to ensure their EJN-supported story remains accessible to audiences.
Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and spur action?
Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia and data visualization will be considered a plus.
Plan for timely publication: Reporters, whether freelance or employed at a media outlet, will need to include a letter of support from an editor in their application, committing to publish the stories by September 2026.
How to apply?
Click the ‘Apply now’ button.
Note: For more comprehensive details click the link below
Get full access to the grant information, visit the Official Website Link
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