Call for Proposals: IJNET 2025 Professional Development Grants for Environmental Journalism in Europe (EUR 84,000 available)
Supporting Investigative Environmental Journalism
Organizations dedicated to advancing investigative journalism on environmental issues can now apply for targeted professional development grants. This funding opportunity, offered by Journalismfund.eu, is designed to support and strengthen environmental journalism initiatives across Europe and beyond.
As part of its Earth Investigations Program, Journalismfund.eu provides financial resources to support collective growth and professional support services within the field of environmental investigative journalism. These grants aim to foster innovation, collaboration, and the production of impactful, high-quality journalistic work focused on pressing environmental topics.
About the Earth Investigations Program
The Earth Investigations Program is a core initiative of Journalismfund.eu, an independent non-profit organization committed to the advancement of investigative journalism in the public interest. Through this program, Journalismfund.eu seeks to:
- Enhance the professional development of environmental journalists.
- Encourage collaborative projects and cross-border investigations.
- Promote the creation of support structures that benefit the field of environmental journalism.
- Strengthen journalistic independence and innovation in covering environmental issues.
By funding capacity-building initiatives and support services, the program empowers journalistic organizations to develop the skills, tools, and networks needed to carry out rigorous and impactful investigations.
What the Grant Supports
The Professional Development Grant is specifically intended for projects that focus on the collective development of environmental investigative journalism. Eligible proposals may include, but are not limited to:
- Training programs for environmental journalists.
- Mentorship schemes and peer-to-peer learning initiatives.
- Workshops, conferences, or networking events.
- Tools and resources for collaborative investigative reporting.
- Support structures such as editorial services or legal assistance for environmental reporters.
The goal is to build long-term infrastructure and support systems that help investigative journalists thrive in an increasingly complex media landscape.
Funding Details
A total of EUR 84,000 has been allocated for this round of professional development grants. The funds will be distributed among the projects selected by Journalismfund.eu’s independent jury. The amount granted per project will depend on the scope, quality, and potential impact of each proposal.
This funding is not intended for individual reporting projects or journalistic content production. Instead, it is focused on initiatives that contribute to the broader professional development and sustainability of the environmental journalism ecosystem.
Who Can Apply
The grants are open to organizations that support investigative environmental journalism. This includes:
- Non-profit journalism organizations
- Media development institutions
- Journalism training centers
- Cross-border collaborative groups
- Other entities working to build capacity within the environmental journalism sector
Applicants must be legally registered entities and able to demonstrate experience and commitment to investigative journalism, particularly in the environmental domain. Projects must serve journalists operating in or covering issues relevant to Europe.
Application Process and Deadline
To be considered, applicants must submit a comprehensive project proposal outlining the goals, structure, timeline, and expected outcomes of the initiative. Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the project will contribute to the professional development of environmental investigative journalism and why it is necessary.
The next application deadline is October 9, 2025. Interested organizations are encouraged to begin preparing their proposals early to ensure alignment with the program’s objectives and criteria.
Detailed guidelines, eligibility requirements, and application forms can be found on Journalismfund.eu’s official website.
Advancing Environmental Accountability
In an era of escalating climate crises and environmental challenges, the role of investigative journalism is more vital than ever. Through this grant program, Journalismfund.eu reaffirms its commitment to supporting the journalists and organizations working tirelessly to uncover environmental abuses, hold power to account, and inform the public with evidence-based reporting.
By investing in professional development, this initiative ensures that environmental journalists have the tools, networks, and resilience to continue producing impactful stories that drive awareness and change across Europe and the globe.
