Application Deadline: July 3, 2021
Are you a journalist, creative or lecturer who is passionate about promoting health or development-focused African solutions through visual, written, oral and digital media? Apply for the inaugural Solutions Journalism Africa Fellowship and reframe the news from and about our continent.
The Solutions Journalism Network’s Africa Initiative is seeking applications from individuals who want to start (or upgrade) a solutions journalism-focused project or art project that is based in, or focused on, Kenya and Nigeria.
As a pioneer Solutions Journalism Africa Fellow, you’ll receive $2,000 in funding to launch or expand your platform — provided it initiates or supports solutions journalism at the newsroom and community levels.
Eligibility
A prospective fellow may have any level of experience in any medium, but must be based in Kenya or Nigeria, with a project focused on any of these countries, and:
- Actively working in journalism as (1) a journalist, either employed by a news organization or freelance; (2) an educator teaching journalism; or (3) another type of journalism creative or product innovator.
- Should be registered on SJN’s website.
- Trained in solutions journalism, or committed to taking a training session before the start of the Solutions Journalism Africa Fellowship. (Fill out and submit your application form, but do register for a dedicated Solutions Journalism 101 webinar here on Thursday, June 24, 2021 at 1 p.m. West Africa Time and 3 p.m. East Africa Time.In addition,you have the option of taking our self-guided “Basic Toolkit” training through our Learning Lab.)
- Applying as an individual — not a team or an organization. If teams from a platform are applying, one person must serve as the contact/lead person for the fellowship duration.
Requirements
ou’ll be part of a cohort of 10 fellows (five from Kenya and five from Nigeria) who will:
- Pioneer a community of media innovators, journalists, photographers and artists who create new ideas, coverage or platforms that enhance solutions journalism for Africa, by Africans.
- Receive training in skills relevant to your project proposal — audience/community engagement, impact reporting, revenue generation and sustainability within Africa’s context.
- Gain access to and collaborate with the Africa Initiative cohort of 20 newsrooms and two implementing partners spread across four countries. Outside the continent, you are guaranteed access to SJN staff members and our network of more than 5,000 journalists worldwide.
- Receive a modest honorarium of $2,000.
- The fellowship duration is from August to November 2021.
Outcomes
- Achieving these project goals: (1) producing or facilitating the production of solutions stories; (2) documenting your project with a blog post, case study or video for the greater SJN community; (3) training and engaging with fellow solutions-focused journalists/creatives; and (4) creating communities of solutions journalism practitioners.
- Serving as an ambassador for solutions journalism in your community, country and region, alongside other SJN ambassadors across the world.
- Abiding by SJN’s ethical standards.
- Joining monthly calls with fellows who share similarities in project theme and location.
- Joining bimonthly calls with the entire cohort of 10 Solutions Journalism Africa Fellows, including select guest speakers who will support Fellows’ professional development.
- Joining monthly calls with SJN’s Africa Initiative manager, Ruona Meyer, for feedback and brainstorming on project goal status.
- Participating in a speaking engagement (as a panelist, etc.) within and beyond SJN’s Africa Initiative network.
How to Apply
The timeline of the Solutions Journalism Africa Fellowship application, selection and onboarding process is as follows:
- June 9 to July 3, 2021: Applications open and will be accepted until 23:59 GMT on the day of the deadline.
- July 12: All applicants are informed of their application status.
- July 13–19: Successful applicants progress to the second round and take a “What Is Solutions Journalism?” assessment to demonstrate their knowledge of solutions journalism. The test should take no longer than one hour to complete.
- July 21 onward: Final-round candidates are invited to an interview with the Solutions Journalism Network. The interview will last 30 minutes.
- Aug. 6: The 2021 Solutions Journalism Africa Fellows are announced and onboarded.
- Aug. 9: The 2021 Solutions Journalism Africa Fellows join a kickoff call.
- Nov. 22: The 2021 Solutions Journalism Africa Fellowship concludes.
- Nov. 30: Fellows submit a final report and join a send-forth call.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Solutions Journalism Africa Fellowship 2021