The COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership (CCMP) Reporting Fellowship is a significant opportunity for journalists from developing countries. This program, organized by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) and the Stanley Center for Peace and Security, offers a chance to report directly from the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye. The fellowship aims to improve climate journalism globally by providing reporters with access to key climate negotiations, experts, and mentorship.
The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP31) will be held from November 9 to 20, 2026. This event is expected to be a major gathering for climate policy discussions, focusing on how nations move from making climate promises to actually implementing them. The fellowship provides a unique platform for journalists to cover these critical discussions and share their implications with audiences worldwide.
About the COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Fellowship
The CCMP Fellowship has been a leading program supporting climate journalism since 2007. It has helped over 550 journalists from developing nations attend and report on UN climate negotiations. The fellowship offers several key benefits to participants.
Journalists selected for this program can:
- Report directly from the UN climate negotiations.
- Gain access to exclusive interviews with global leaders and experts.
- Receive guidance from experienced climate journalists.
- Improve their skills in reporting on climate issues.
- Build connections with other international journalists.
- Produce and share important climate stories with their local audiences.
For the 2026 event, the fellowship is expanding to include creator journalists for the first time. This means independent content creators who use journalistic methods and digital storytelling to produce climate-related content for online audiences are now eligible through a separate application process.
Why COP31 is Important
COP31 is anticipated to be a highly influential climate summit. Governments globally are under increasing pressure to act on their climate commitments. The discussions at COP31 are likely to cover several critical themes.
Key topics expected at COP31 include:
- Climate finance and how it will be managed.
- The transition to renewable energy sources.
- Strategies for reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
- Measures for adaptation and building resilience to climate impacts.
- Funding for loss and damage caused by climate change.
- The future of food systems and sustainability.
- Issues of climate justice and fairness.
- How countries will implement carbon reduction plans.
- Ensuring global emissions accountability.
Fellowship recipients will have direct access to these discussions, allowing them to explain the outcomes and their significance to people back home.
What the Fellowship Covers
The COP31 CCMP Fellowship is fully funded. This means it covers all major expenses to ensure journalists from developing regions can participate without financial worry.
The fellowship provides comprehensive support, including:
International Travel Support
- Round-trip economy-class airfare: Covers the cost of flights to and from Türkiye.
- Ground transportation: Includes travel expenses within the host country.
- Travel medical insurance: Provides coverage for health emergencies during the trip.
Accommodation Support
The organizers will arrange lodging in Antalya for the entire duration of the conference. While single-occupancy rooms will be provided when possible, participants should be prepared for the possibility of shared accommodation.
Meal and Stipend Support
Selected fellows will receive a financial stipend. This stipend is intended to help cover the costs of meals, daily incidental expenses, and local transportation needs.
Press Accreditation Assistance
The fellowship team will help with the necessary steps for obtaining press accreditation. They will also assist with logistical coordination for COP31 and provide support for reporting on the ground.
Visa Reimbursement
Fellowship participants are responsible for obtaining their own visas. However, the costs associated with visa applications will be reimbursed by the fellowship organizers.
Editorial Training and Journalism Mentorship
A strong aspect of the CCMP Fellowship is the extensive editorial support and mentorship provided. This guidance is offered both before and during the summit.
Participants will benefit from:
Pre-COP Training
Before traveling to Türkiye, fellows will engage in several preparatory activities:
- Virtual workshops: Sessions designed to build knowledge and skills.
- Orientation sessions: To familiarize participants with the program and conference.
- Reporting strategy discussions: To plan effective coverage approaches.
- Climate policy briefings: To provide background on key negotiation topics.
On-the-Ground Mentorship
During COP31, fellows will receive ongoing support:
- Daily editorial briefings: To discuss developments and story ideas.
- One-on-one mentorship: Personalized guidance from experienced journalists.
- Story development guidance: Help in shaping and refining their reporting.
- Access to expert interviews: Facilitating connections with key figures.
- Technical reporting assistance: Support with equipment and methods.
The fellowship also offers access to collaboration tools, reporting resources, and communication platforms to aid participants throughout the conference.
Networking and Global Exposure Opportunities
Fellows will have significant opportunities to connect with a wide range of professionals. These include:
- International journalists covering climate change.
- Climate experts and scientists.
- Policymakers involved in climate negotiations.
- Leaders from civil society organizations.
- Researchers in environmental fields.
- Environmental advocates and activists.
Participants may also have chances to:
- Moderate or speak at side events.
- Attend media networking mixers.
- Join local excursions and cohort-building activities.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship welcomes journalists working in various media formats. This includes:
- Print journalism
- Online media outlets
- Television and radio broadcasting
- Multimedia storytelling
- Digital journalism platforms
Eligible Applicants Include:
- Staff reporters working for established news organizations.
- Freelance journalists pursuing independent reporting.
- Independent climate reporters focusing on environmental issues.
- Journalists affiliated with recognized media houses.
Eligibility Requirements
To be considered for the fellowship, applicants must meet several important criteria.
Applicants Must:
- Be professional journalists reporting from eligible low- and middle-income countries.
- Have never attended a UNFCCC climate COP in person before.
- Be available to attend the entire duration of COP31 in Antalya.
- Possess strong English-language communication skills.
- Demonstrate prior experience covering climate-related topics.
- Submit a detailed plan for their COP31 coverage.
- Commit to participating in all scheduled fellowship activities.
Required Application Materials
Applicants need to prepare and submit the following documents:
1. Updated Resume or CV
A current professional resume that details relevant journalism experience.
2. Video Introduction
A video, no longer than two minutes, explaining:
- The intended reporting focus for COP31.
- The importance of their planned reporting.
- Their specific interests in climate journalism.
3. Letter of Support
A signed letter from an editor, producer, supervisor, or a supporting media outlet. This letter must confirm that the applicant’s stories will be published or broadcast. Freelance journalists must also secure publication commitments from media organizations.
4. Climate Reporting Samples
At least three published samples of climate-related journalism. These stories must have been produced between May 15, 2025, and June 15, 2026. While stories can be in any language, a short English synopsis must be included.
Judging Criteria
Applications will be evaluated based on several key factors. Reviewers will look for applicants who:
- Show strong experience in climate journalism.
- Present clear and specific story ideas.
- Demonstrate an understanding of climate policy issues.
- Have realistic and potentially impactful reporting plans.
- Maintain active relationships with media organizations.
- Are capable of producing multiple stories during the fellowship.
The organizers also aim to create a diverse group of fellows, representing different countries, regions, media formats, and journalistic viewpoints.
AI Transparency Requirement
Applicants must be aware that the fellowship organizers require transparency regarding the use of generative AI tools in the application process. Failure to disclose AI-assisted content may lead to disqualification. The organizers also reserve the right to disqualify applicants involved in unethical professional conduct, such as plagiarism or submitting misleading information.
Story Production Expectations
Selected fellows are expected to produce multiple stories during the conference. These stories can take various forms, including:
- News articles
- Video reports
- Radio segments
- Multimedia content
- Social media storytelling
- Investigative features
While fellows retain editorial freedom, they must adhere to professional journalism standards set by the fellowship.
Important Travel and Safety Information
Participation in the fellowship requires adherence to all travel and entry regulations for Türkiye. The organizers will continuously monitor health conditions, travel safety, and event-related risks. Participation is voluntary, and fellows must ensure they can travel legally and safely to Türkiye.
Application Deadline
Applications for the COP31 CCMP Reporting Fellowship will close on June 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Pacific/Niue Time). Late applications will not be accepted. It is strongly recommended that applicants submit their applications well before the deadline to avoid any technical issues.
Notification Timeline
Successful applicants can expect to receive notification of their selection in early September 2026.
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must use the official Earth Journalism Network application platform. More information and the application link can be found on their website.
Why Journalists Should Apply
This fellowship presents an exceptional chance for journalists to:
- Report from one of the world’s most critical climate conferences.
- Gain direct insight into international climate negotiations.
- Deepen their expertise in climate reporting.
- Expand their professional networks.
- Connect with global experts and policymakers.
- Build credibility in the field of environmental journalism.
- Produce impactful climate stories for their audiences.
For journalists dedicated to covering climate accountability, sustainability, environmental justice, and global policy, the COP31 CCMP Fellowship offers a potentially career-changing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the COP31 Climate Change Media Partnership Fellowship?
It’s a program for journalists from developing countries to report from the UN Climate Change Conference (COP31) in Antalya, Türkiye, offering training, mentorship, and financial support.
What does the fellowship cover?
The fellowship is fully funded, covering international travel, accommodation, meals, a stipend for daily expenses, and visa reimbursement.
Who is eligible to apply for the COP31 fellowship?
Professional journalists from eligible low- and middle-income countries who have never attended a COP in person, have strong English skills, and experience in climate reporting are eligible.
What are the main application requirements?
Applicants need a resume, a short video introduction, a letter of support from an editor, and at least three climate reporting samples from the past year.
