EJN Opens Fellowships for Journalists to Cover Global Environment Facility Assembly 2026 in Uzbekistan

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is urging journalists from low- and middle-income countries to seize the opportunity of a lifetime - the chance to be a fellow and report from the Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly, Samarkand Uzbekistan, May 31 - June 6, 2026. The organizers, through this initiative, will select five

journalists to witness and report one of the world's environmental finance and policy meetings. The Global Environment Facility Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the GEF. It brings together representatives of 186 member countries to review and decide on the world's environmental strategies.

Focus on Global Environmental Financing

Established in 1991, the Global Environment Facility has provided over $27 billion in grants and mobilised an additional $155 billion for environmental projects worldwide. Its funding supports key international agreements, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification.

The 2026 Assembly is expected to host over 1,000 delegates, including government officials, environmental experts, business leaders, and civil society representatives. Discussions will centre on climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, sustainable financing, and private sector engagement.

Practical Journalistic Experience

Chosen fellows will get the chance to be trained, guided by experienced reporters, and physically attend important moments such as nine roundtables, a Civil Society Forum, and several side events & field visits. The fellowship intends to increase journalists' ability to cover global environmental governance and how it affects one's local community.

Besides, the participants will have discussions with specialists, buy interviews, and create reports for print digital radio, or broadcast platforms. Even though the stories might be published in any language, the fellows will have to turn in English outlines and translate at least 1 report for a larger audience.

Travel Expenses, Accommodation, and Mentorship Fully Covered by EJN

Travel costs including airplane tickets, accommodation meals, insurance, and local transportation will be paid by EJN. Besides that, fellows will be provided with monetary and editorial advice from professional journalists throughout the whole event.

Requirements and How to Apply 

The fellowship is open to the journalists, professionally affiliated with recognized media in case of low and middle-income countries. The proof of the fact that they have done environmental journalism in the past will be required as is the submission of a structured proposal of two pitches they want to pursue along with samples of work & letter of support from the editor. Those with a relevant good record of dealing with climate and sustainability issues, as well as those representing media outlets with a wide audience, will be given more consideration. The deadline for submitting applications is 31st March 2026 and the candidates who have been selected will be notified by the middle of April.

Amplifying Voices from the Global South 

The programme through which journalists coming from the regions that are vulnerable to climate change report directly from the Assembly is an effort to guarantee that the narratives about the environment at the global level are influenced by the local viewpoints. When the climate-related issues are getting worse, these kinds of opportunities are extremely important in helping to understand the disconnect between the decisions made at the level of international policy and how they affect the communities in the real world. The fellowship highlights the fact that more and more people are recognizing the power of well-informed journalism as a means to promote accountability and increase awareness in the worldwide efforts for sustainability.