Reporters Without Borders Opens 2026 Environmental Journalism Grants for Media, NGOs and Journalist Networks Worldwide
Environmental journalism continues to play a major role in exposing climate injustice, environmental degradation, corruption, and threats against communities across the globe. As environmental reporting becomes increasingly risky in many countries, international support for journalists and media organizations has become more important than ever.
Global press freedom organization Reporters Without Borders has officially launched a new worldwide funding opportunity aimed at supporting environmental journalism initiatives ahead of COP31 in Turkey.
The grant programme offers up to €20,000 in funding for organizations, journalist collectives, independent media outlets, and civil society networks working to improve access to environmental information and strengthen public-interest journalism.
The opportunity is open globally, with applications accepted from eligible organizations worldwide until 30 May 2026.
RSF Launches New Environmental Journalism Funding Opportunity
The newly announced “Open Call for Partnership Proposals: Environmental Journalism” seeks to support projects that address the growing challenges faced by environmental journalists.
Across many regions, journalists covering environmental issues continue to encounter:
- Legal intimidation
- Harassment and censorship
- Limited access to public information
- Physical threats and attacks
- Restrictions on investigative reporting
RSF recognizes that environmental reporting is essential for transparency, accountability, public participation, and environmental justice. Through this funding initiative, the organization hopes to strengthen the ability of journalists and media organizations to investigate, report, and advocate freely on environmental matters.
The initiative also aims to increase visibility around environmental journalism during COP31, which is scheduled to take place in Turkey in November 2026.
Who Can Apply?
The opportunity is designed for a wide range of organizations and media actors working in journalism and public-interest reporting.
Eligible applicants include:
- Registered organizations working with journalists or media
- Independent and community media outlets
- Journalist collectives
- Professional journalist networks
- Civil society organizations supporting press freedom
- Regional and national media advocacy groups
However, applicants must meet certain conditions to qualify for funding.
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be officially registered organizations, networks, or collectives
- Demonstrate work at national or regional level
- Focus on journalism, media, or press freedom support
- Not have received RSF funding within the last five years
The funding call particularly encourages projects that strengthen environmental transparency, journalist protection, and public awareness.
Priority Areas for Funding
RSF is inviting proposals aligned with three major thematic areas.
Advocacy Initiatives
Projects under this category may include:
- Campaigns promoting environmental journalism during COP31
- Advocacy for transparency and access to environmental data
- Public campaigns supporting threatened environmental journalists
- Accountability initiatives focused on environmental governance
Organizations working on media freedom and climate advocacy may find strong opportunities under this category.
Editorial and Investigative Journalism
The funding programme will also support editorial projects designed to produce impactful environmental reporting.
Supported activities may include:
- Investigative journalism projects
- Documentary production
- Podcasts and radio storytelling
- Monitoring reports
- Community journalism initiatives
- Editorial content highlighting risks faced by environmental reporters
Media organizations producing public-interest environmental content are strongly encouraged to apply.
Journalist Protection and Capacity Building
Another important focus area involves protecting journalists and strengthening their reporting capacity.
Eligible activities may include:
- Legal support for environmental journalists
- Safety and protection mechanisms
- Training programmes
- Capacity-building workshops
- Civil society support networks
- Emergency assistance initiatives
These activities are particularly important in regions where journalists face restrictions, intimidation, or violence linked to environmental reporting.
Funding Information
Selected applicants can receive funding of up to €20,000 per proposal.
The grants are expected to support both small-scale and larger collaborative initiatives that contribute to stronger environmental journalism ecosystems.
Funding may cover activities such as:
- Research and investigations
- Advocacy campaigns
- Training and workshops
- Media production
- Legal support services
- Development of data-access tools and platforms
- Network-building activities
Organizations are expected to submit a detailed budget alongside their project proposal.
Global Opportunity With No Geographic Restrictions
One of the most attractive aspects of the funding programme is its global eligibility scope.
Unlike many international grants that limit participation to specific countries or regions, this opportunity is open worldwide. Organizations from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and other regions are all eligible to apply.
This makes the programme especially valuable for independent media organizations and journalist networks operating in underfunded or high-risk environments.
Application Process
Interested applicants must submit their proposals by email.
Applications should include:
- Proposed project activities
- Detailed project budget
- Supporting documentation and appendices
Applications must be sent to:
Application Deadline
The final deadline for submissions is:
30 May 2026
Late applications may not be considered.
Final Thoughts
As environmental issues continue to shape global conversations, the role of independent journalism remains critical. Environmental reporters often operate under difficult conditions while exposing issues linked to climate change, pollution, deforestation, land rights, and environmental corruption.
Through this funding opportunity, Reporters Without Borders aims to strengthen investigative reporting, support journalist safety, and promote greater access to environmental information worldwide.
For media outlets, journalist networks, and civil society organizations working in environmental reporting, this grant programme offers an important opportunity to secure funding, expand advocacy efforts, and strengthen public-interest journalism ahead of COP31.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
