Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) invites applications from media outlets in Nepal to create new programs or expand reporting on natural resource management and green growth. These seed grants aim to strengthen public awareness, improve accountability, and influence policy through investigative and solutions-focused journalism.

This funding is part of the Media for Inclusive Green Growth in Nepal (MIGG) project and EJN’s Asia–Pacific project, supported by the European Union and Sida.

Background

Nepal faces increasing disasters from unplanned development and the unregulated exploitation of natural resources. Climate-induced hazards — such as drought in the Terai, glacial lake outburst floods in Rasuwa, Limi Valley, and Thame, and flooding in Sudurpaschim — are mounting challenges. Studies project Nepal could lose up to 2.2% of its annual GDP to climate change impacts by 2050.

Following the 2015 constitution, Nepal adopted federalism, delegating resource management to federal, provincial, and local levels. While this brought opportunities for decentralization, it also led to overlapping responsibilities, policy contradictions, and intergovernmental disputes.

To address these governance challenges and promote sustainable use of rivers, agricultural land, forests, mines, rangeland, and mountains, stronger media coverage is essential.

Contract Period

Start Date: September 2025
End Date: February 2026
Duration: 6 months

Scope of Work

Selected media outlets will:
• Produce at least two episodes or investigative stories as proof of concept.
• Focus on innovative and solutions-oriented coverage of natural resource management and green growth.
• Integrate marginalized voices, including women, youth, Indigenous peoples, minorities, LGBTIQA+ individuals, and persons with disabilities.

Project Themes

Ideas should address, but are not limited to:
• Impacts of poor governance and inefficient budget allocation on natural resources
• Corruption and mismanagement that hinder green growth
• Effects of unplanned/unmonitored development on ecosystems and livelihoods
• Government strategies, policies, and scalable solutions for resource management
• Inter-governmental and inter-departmental conflicts affecting governance and growth
• Indigenous and local community practices that enhance climate resilience
• Accountability and transparency in resource management

Specific Deliverables/Requirements

• At least two original media outputs within the grant period
• Participation in mentorship with senior journalists or subject experts
• A simple budget (using the provided template) showing allocation of funds
• A signed letter of support on official letterhead confirming the outlet will publish the funded work
• Two samples or links to relevant past work
• Acknowledgement in published content: “This story was produced with support from Internews’ Earth Journalism Network.”

Qualifications and Experience

Eligibility

• Legally registered print, online, radio, television, multimedia, or social media outlet in Nepal
• Previous grantees from the 2024 cycle are not eligible
• Applications accepted in English or Nepali (must have a working understanding of one, or translator support)
• Funded content may be produced in any language spoken in Nepal

Team Expertise

• Demonstrated capacity for investigative or thematic journalism
• Proven ability to complete projects on time

Proposal Requirements/Instructions

Applications must be submitted online and include:
• Project description aligned with listed themes
• Work plan and 6-month timeline
• Budget using EJN template
• Letter of support on official letterhead
• Two samples of previous work
• Details of any co-financing (optional)

Evaluation and Selection Process

Evaluation Criteria

• Overall quality and feasibility of the proposal
• Relevance to EJN’s objectives and themes
• Potential impact and reach
• Innovation in approach
• Sustainability beyond the grant period
• Cost-effectiveness
• Organizational and team capacity

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by an expert panel, including environmental journalists and EJN staff. Selected applicants will be notified in August 2025.

Schedule & Key Dates

• Application Deadline: August 21, 2025, 11:59 PM (Asia/Kathmandu)
• Selection Announcement: August 2025
• Project Start: September 2025
• Project Completion: February 2026

Terms and Conditions (General)

• Equipment purchases must be a minor portion of the budget and justified
• EJN, partners, and funders retain rights to publish, broadcast, and distribute funded content
• Applicants must disclose use of generative AI in proposals
• Unethical conduct (e.g., plagiarism, AI content passed as original) will result in disqualification or grant termination

For further information, please contact Earth Journalism Network (EJN) directly.

Note: The budget mentioned above is in Euro (€), i.e. €4500.