Grant encourages Pacific stories on climate change

By Adel Fruean 21 November 2020, 5:00PM

Media organisations and individuals in the Pacific have been encouraged to tell Pacific stories on climate change. 

This is being done through grants, of which the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (S.P.R.E.P.), is encouraging media groups to apply for.

The Climate Change Story Grants aims to support the development of engaging media content that tells emerging Pacific stories of climate change, climate adaptation and resilience throughout the cyclone season.

It was formed through a partnership between Australian Broadcasting Corporation (A.B.C.) International Development [A.B.C.I.D.], S.P.R.E.P. with support from the Australia Pacific Climate Partnership and Australian Aid, these Climate Change Story Grants are now available.

A representative from ABC International Development, Jo Elsom said that they hope that the story grants will support media in the Pacific to tell in-depth stories that consider both the science and individual human experiences of climate change.

“Our partnership with S.P.R.E.P. is important as it allows storytellers to gain good access to that science and we thank SPREP for being that bridge,” said Ms. Elsom is quoted as saying in a press statement.

The Acting Communications and Outreach Adviser of the S.P.R.E.P., Nanette Woonton, said their online workshop went really well.

"We consistently had over 30 participants from across the Pacific take part in our event which has empowered news development on information shared at the Pacific Islands Climate Outlook Forum (P.I.C.O.F.-7). 

“The workshop provided the perfect backdrop for these Climate Change Story Grants – we encourage our Pacific islands media to apply for them and to give voice to our climate change realities that we face.   We must tell our stories, keep people aware and informed.”

The maximum value of any grant is AU$2,500 with only one grant per application to be submitted. More than one story can seek funding under the grant application, but all stories must be funded within the maximum grant value.

All story applications must have a broadcast or print outlet.  A.B.C. International Development will match grantees to A.B.C. media mentors based on applicant requests for skill development.

The Climate Change Story Grants follow on from an online workshop for Pacific media to help reach Pacific audiences during the Cyclone Season as well as develop news from the Seventh Pacific Island Climate Outlook Forum which took place from 20 – 23 October, 2020. 

S.P.R.E.P. has a climate change programme now underway across the Pacific islands; it is host of the Pacific Climate Change Centre as well as the Pacific Meteorological Desk Partnership and has had a media outreach initiative underway over the past decade.  S.P.R.E.P. will be available to help interested applicants with story ideas they wish to pursue, or to link members of the media with climate experts across the region.

The online workshop to help Pacific media reach Pacific audiences during the Cyclone Season was supported through the partnership between A.B.C.I.D. and S.P.R.E.P. with the Australian Pacific Climate Partnership.  It was funded by Australian Aid through Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade D.F.A.T. and saw technical support provided from the S.P.R.E.P. Climate and Oceans Support Programme in Pacific and Pacific Met Desk Partnership. 

By Adel Fruean 21 November 2020, 5:00PM

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