Call for Applications: The CREA Storytelling Initiative 2025 for India-based Writers, Photographers, Graphic Artists, Illustrators, Researchers, and Storytelling Professionals
Deadline to Send Proposals: April 20, 2025
Are you a creative storyteller who believes in the feminist vision of human rights and social justice? Do you love hearing – and telling – stories of resilience, of the power of collective action to effect social justice, of the hope and hard work that can lead to change? Then, here is the third edition of an exciting and unique opportunity to demonstrate your talents: The CREA Storytelling Initiative 2025!
The initiative invites individuals based in India, working in any printable medium, with experience in researching and documenting stories, to pursue a storytelling assignment over a three-month period with the aim to publish outcomes in appropriate forums. Applications that demonstrate a nuanced understanding of the issues faced by structurally excluded groups1 will receive particular attention. Selected applicants can expect generous compensation for their work.
Apply now! The deadline is 11:59 p.m. (IST), 20 April 2025.
Who Can Apply
We welcome applications from India-based writers, photographers, graphic artists, illustrators, researchers and others experienced in storytelling. Our Initiative encourages individuals from diverse professional, educational and locational contexts to support CREA’s own mission by documenting untold stories of the advancement of sexual and human rights for all structurally excluded groups. Applicants must demonstrate previous storytelling experience, in the form of published articles or photo/ illustrated essays (online or in print).
Only one proposal will be accepted from an individual, multiple entries will be disqualified. You may apply as a team, but we will require 2 published samples from each applicant. Projects may only be in English. Audio-visual proposals cannot be entertained. Take a look at the outcomes of the first Storytelling Initiative here.
Why Should You Apply
Individuals selected for the Storytelling Initiative will receive a fee of up to Rs 75,000 per month for their work over a three-month period. They will receive regular editorial inputs and reviews from CREA editors and external experts. Guidance will be offered about appropriate forums for the publication of final project outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
CREA works at the community, national, regional and global levels to build feminist leadership, strengthen movements, challenge unjust power structures, expand sexual and reproductive freedoms, and advance the human rights of structurally excluded people. We are known globally for our work in knowledge and resource creation, with our articles, books, manuals, concept papers, podcasts, and videos used in both activist and academic settings.
The Storytelling Initiative extends this interest by commissioning non-academic, non-fiction essays/reports that are accessible to a wider audience. Source material must be first-hand and individually reported; it can be new or draw on existing but previously unpublished materials/ writing/ research.
The expected start date for contracts is June 16, 2025. Work products may be made in any of the following formats:
- Text (approx. 5,000 words)
- Graphic (25-40 pages’ worth)
- Photographic (25-40 pages’ worth)
- Any other mixed (printable) medium
How to Apply
Applicants should submit their CV, two samples of previously published work and a concise project proposal. The proposal should not exceed 3 pages and must contain:
- A clearly mentioned working title and format of the story
- A brief description of the story idea, geographical focus and reasons for interest in the initiative
- The proposed methodology, outlining the research/ reportage process, medium, and format
- Detailed timeline
- Itemized breakup of estimated costs (including research, travel, and other related costs) and professional fees, not exceeding Rs 75,000 per month. We encourage applicants to fairly pay their respondents and allot a reasonable sum for this in the proposed budget.
The application must be submitted to [email protected] on or before April 20, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (IST), with the subject line “Storytelling Initiative”. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for a possible online interview.
Note: Please ensure that your attachments are in PDF format and named NAME_SAMPLE FORMAT (e.g., Name_Article, Name_Painting, Name_Photograph). If you are submitting a portfolio or any other sample that cannot be attached, please include a link in the email. Make sure the link to Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, etc., is accessible and not restricted.
Terms & Conditions
- All selected and published works will be shared under a Creative Commons licence with credits.
- CREA has a strict policy against plagiarism. Any proposal found to be plagiarised or produced using generative AI will be rejected.
- Individuals chosen for the Storytelling Initiative will receive a contract outlining the fees, anticipated deliverables, and implementation schedules. No payment requests beyond the stipulated fees in these contracts will be entertained.
- CREA has zero tolerance for sexual harassment at the workplace, as well as discrimination on any grounds, including but not limited to sex, gender, sexual orientation, class, caste, religion, race, and/ or disability, the practice of which could result in immediate termination of the contract with no compensation.
Find accessible version of this call here: (PDF) (Word)
