Apply Now: Fully Funded UNCCD COP17 Reporting Fellowship

 

Application Deadline: April 15, 2026

Journalists around the world now have a chance to apply for a fully funded fellowship dedicated to reporting on pressing environmental challenges, particularly land degradation and drought.

The UNCCD Land and Drought Reporting Fellowship 2026 will select a small group of journalists to cover the COP17 conference, providing a unique opportunity to witness international negotiations and report on solutions to combat desertification and climate-related land issues.

About the Fellowship

Organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), this fellowship is designed to enhance global media coverage of environmental topics that are often underreported.

Fellows will gain firsthand exposure to policy discussions, scientific research, and practical initiatives in sustainable land management.

The conference will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026, bringing together world leaders, environmental experts, and innovators working to address land degradation, drought resilience, and food security.

What the Fellowship Provides

Selected participants will receive full support for attending the conference, including travel and accommodation, access to COP17 sessions and briefings, opportunities to meet and interview experts, policymakers, and international delegates, and exposure to global networks and collaborative reporting opportunities.

This fellowship not only covers expenses but also gives journalists a platform to produce stories that can influence public awareness and policy discussions on environmental sustainability.

Who Can Apply

The program seeks journalists with a track record of quality reporting and a demonstrated interest in environmental, climate, or development issues. 

Applicants should be prepared to produce compelling stories before, during, and after the conference.

Journalists from all regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply.

 Preference will be given to those who can highlight local impacts and innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.

Why This Fellowship Matters
This fellowship allows journalists to tell stories that bridge the gap between complex international negotiations and the everyday realities of communities affected by land degradation and drought.

 It is a chance to shed light on sustainable solutions and inspire action through reporting.

To apply and access full eligibility details, visit the official UNCCD page:https://www.unccd.int/news-stories/stories/open-call-unccd-cop17-media-reporting-fellowship

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