Fellowships available for climate change conference in SA

As part of the fellowships, the CCMP will cover travel, lodging and daily subsistence expenses, arrange press accreditation at COP17, and provide other support services. The fellows will benefit from a series of specially designed activities, including an orientation session, breakfast briefings, a field trip and a media clinic.

Formed in 2007 by Internews' Earth Journalism Network (EJN), Panos London and the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), the CCMP has brought developing country journalists to the annual UN climate summits over the past four years.

This has enabled them to cover the summit for their home media organisations, work with experienced and knowledgeable journalists from around the world, and gain a multifaceted understanding of climate change's global impact. Numerous regional organisations also play a supporting role in the partnership.

Exchanging views and information

Throughout the conference, fellows will be free to report as they see fit. "We do require that fellows attend the entire summit, provide copies or summaries of all the stories they file during COP17 for posting on our websites and that they show collegial attitude towards other fellows," says a statement from the CCMP secretariat. One of the main benefits of this program will be the opportunity for fellows to exchange views and information with their journalistic peers from around the world.

Fellowship applications opened on 6 June 2011 and close 30 June at midnight EDT. Traditionally, the CCMP Fellowship only welcomed journalists from developing countries, but due to the challenges of reporting on climate change in the US and Russia, and the availability of funding for fellows from these countries, CCMP is opening 2011 fellowships to US and Russian journalists, as well.

Application criteria

Criteria for evaluating applicants will include the prospective fellow's demonstrated interest in climate change issues; their audience; and the ability of the fellowship to provide an opportunity for those journalists who might not otherwise have a chance to cover such events.

Applicants will be required to:

• Complete and submit an online application form before the 30 June 2011 deadline.
  
• Provide a support letter from their editor, producer, or supervisor
  
• Provide two samples of their work, published within the last 12 months
  
• Have a valid passport that will not expire before June, 2012

Freelance journalists can also apply, but must provide a letter of support indicating that their stories will be published or broadcast.