DEADLINE: EJN Story Grants to Support Reporting on the Marine Environment in the Adriatic Region

The Adriatic Sea is crucial to the Balkan region, both ecologically and economically. It serves as a vital waterway for trade and transportation and plays a significant role in the region's climate, moderating temperatures and supporting biodiversity. Its unique geography provides home for more than 7,000 species, including many endemic, rare and endangered species such as Adriatic sturgeons, giant devil rays and red corals. It is estimated that 49% of the known forms of life in the Mediterranean are present in the Adriatic Sea. 

However, the Adriatic faces several pressing environmental issues, including pollution from plastics, oil spills, and agricultural runoff, which harm marine ecosystems. Overfishing, habitat degradation, and invasive species also threaten biodiversity. Additionally, climate change, heavy maritime traffic, and mass tourism further impact the marine environment. 

According to a report by the Strategic Action Programme for the Conservation of Biodiversity and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources in the Mediterranean Region for the Adriatic Sea, there is a lack of knowledge about biodiversity pressures as well as a lack of involvement of the general public in conservation. 

With tailored support, local journalists and media outlets have the potential to be powerful agents of change, helping to address this crisis by sharing vital information about ecosystem services, potential solutions and supporting informed policymaking. 

To meet this need, Internews’ Earth Journalism Network is pleased to announce a new story grant call to support in-depth reporting on the marine environment in the Adriatic region—including illegal, under-reported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, pollution, coastal development issues and the biodiversity crisis—as well as solutions to the climate and environmental threats confronting this ecosystem, such as the establishment of marine protected areas, new regulations to curb IUU fishing, community-based marine conservation initiatives and enhanced monitoring and enforcement. 

In addition to funding, the selected journalists will receive support from experienced mentors through the story production process. 

Applications from Western Balkan countries that border the Adriatic Sea are welcome (i.e. Croatia, Slovenia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania). Journalists from inland Balkan countries such as Serbia, Kosovo and North Macedonia are also eligible to apply if their stories can be directly tied to the Adriatic Sea. Journalists from Italy are also eligible to apply.

Groups of journalists are eligible, and cross-border collaborations are most welcome; however, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant.

Deadline: Feb 27, 2025

More information.