Mekong Matters Story Fund

Description: Mekong Matters Story Fund, a project of the Mekong Partnership for the Environment (MPE) supports journalists to report on the social and environmental costs and benefits of development projects in the Mekong region. These may include dams, mines, industrial development, land use and forestry concessions, Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) or other related issues. MPE will provide up to US$3,000 to cover costs for story development and may co-publish the story on its own outlets, with attribution to the journalist and their media organisation.  

What expenses may be covered? Expenses such as travel, fact-checking and/or database access, and translations of the story between English and any relevant local languages can be covered. MPE will consider funds for a small stipend for the journalist, if justified. Fixed costs such as office costs or equipment are not covered.

Who may apply? Applicants must be working as a journalist or studying in a journalism program, and her/his responsibilities must not include public relations work on issues related to their story. Applicants should be based in a Mekong country and/or demonstrate that the impact of the story on their audience will positively influence development in the Mekong region. Mekong Matters Journalism Network members are encouraged to apply (contact ahunt@internews.org to join or for info). 

Deadline for applications: Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 30 September 2015.

Full details available here.