Application Deadline: 15 October 2019
The World Press Photo Foundation, in collaboration with The Chocolonely Foundation, is launching the West Africa Visual Journalism Fellowship (WAVJF). To run in 2020, this program is a one-year fellowship for three emerging visual journalists and storytellers to contribute to investigative journalism in and about West Africa.
This program is for one fellow from each of Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ivory Coast, who will choose stories relevant to their communities in West Africa. These stories will go beyond detailing problems and start investigating the solutions already being embraced by local communities.
Objectives
- Spot the talent: identify three individuals who are emerging visual journalists – individuals already with promising skills who would benefit from taking their storytelling to the next level – from Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Ivory Coast
- Unleash their potential: support the fellows in the completion of a long-term investigative project through individual mentoring and financial support where they will investigate a story of their choosing relevant to their communities in West Africa
- Develop new storytelling perspectives: foster new approaches to visual journalism that go beyond the repetition of problems to a focus on the solutions that local communities are already embracing
- Show their stories: assist both with connections to local media to enable regional publication, as well as promoting their final projects internationally, online and through exhibitions
- Expand their network: offer the fellows personal networking opportunities
- Create impact: enable new visual storytellers who return to their communities, inspire others, and continue to tell the stories that matter to them
The West Africa Visual Journalism Fellowship will support three emerging visual journalists and storytellers from Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast. The fellows will be individuals who already have demonstrable professional skills, possess the vision, determination, and passion for telling the stories that matter, but lack the opportunity, resources, and support to develop their storytelling abilities. The fellowship will include:
- A production grant of €5000 to undertake a journalism project of their choosing in their communities in West Africa
- A grant of €5000 to help cover their living expenses while they are reporting and producing their story
- Workshops on location in Ghana with selected local and international professionals to help plan the fellow’s projects and introduce the solutions focus to visual journalism
- Mentors who will individually guide the development, production, and post-production of the fellows’ project as well as general career advice and coaching
Eligibility and selection
The fellowship is open to emerging visual journalists who are a national of Burkina Faso, Ghana, or the Ivory Coast. Candidates can apply themselves or be nominated. Candidates need to demonstrate their ability as a professional level image maker and their potential as a visual journalist and storyteller.
Candidates must complete an application form and include a:
- CV/resume
- digital portfolio of visual work
A selection committee will review all submissions and select one applicant per country, taking into consideration gender and other dimensions of diversity.
Timeline
August-October 2019:
Nomination and selection process
15 October 2019:
Application deadline
End of October 2019:
Announcement of the three grantees
December 2019 – December 2020:
Reporting and production period, including workshops and mentors’ guidance
December 2020 onwards:
Disseminating the stories, both locally and globally, online and in exhibition spaces
To nominate a candidate: email Juliette Garms, Programs and Outreach Coordinator, World Press Photo Foundation at education@worldpressphoto.org.
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