The Pulitzer Center’s Africa Outreach Program, launched in 2022, engages young professionals and impacted communities on issues of deforestation, ocean and marine resource management, water resources preservation, and the impacts of climate change on labor and workers highlighted in Pulitzer Center-supported stories.
The “Knowledge and Action Talks” outreach program—which includes a series of forums, dialogue sessions, collaborations with participatory local radio programs, online campaigns, and exhibitions—enabled young professionals and communities to voice their opinions, share their experiences, and reflect on crucial economic, social, and environmental issues with representatives from the media, public administration, business and civil society, and think tanks.
Building on its model of leveraging Pulitzer Center-supported stories, the Africa outreach program is launching the Africa Climate and Environment Micro Grants, also known as “ACE Micro Grants,” a call for outreach proposals for local movements in Africa to apply with innovative ideas for outreach activities that clearly and creatively integrate one or more Pulitzer Center stories, while targeting young professionals or communities on topics including the rainforest, ocean and marine protection, spaces, and the impacts of climate change on labor and workers.
Eligibility
This micro grant is intended for grassroots organizations, civil society organizations and coalitions, youth movements, and other groups working on issues relating to the intersection of climate and labour, the environment, journalism, civil rights, and active citizenship in Africa.
A track record of co-creating impactful projects with other organizations and operational capacity to manage micro-grant resources from an international organization.
Proven experience working on the identified topics (climate change, the rainforest, the ocean, and transparency and governance).
Direct connection with the chosen target (young professionals or impacted communities), either through membership or through evidence of past experience of collaboration.
Selection Criteria
Journalism-inspired: All projects must utilize at least one reporting and involve one journalist supported by the Pulitzer Center as a central part of the project. The journalists can be involved at various levels, such as project development and consultation. Their participation will need to be confirmed once the project has been selected.
Audience-centric: Describe the project’s target audience and why this project is important for them. It is important to note that the target audience should be between the ages of 25 and 45 and should not be part of the formal education system;
Impact-focused: Designed to achieve short-term outcomes that align with:
Improving the awareness and critical thinking of communities on key climate, environment, and intersectional issues;
Contributing to more informed and transparent dialogues and decisions, practices, and policies related to climate, the environment, and its intersectional issues;
Equipping communities with information to take action at the local or global level.
Grant
Grants range from USD $2,500 to USD $3,000. They expect projects to be implemented and concluded within four months of approval.
Application Process
The application must include the following:
A general description of the proposed project in no more than 400 words. This should include the objectives, problem statement and rationale, proposed activities, intended impact of the proposed project, and the Pulitzer Center-supported reporting and, where relevant, the journalist to be involved in this project;
Description of the target audience and projection (number) of the total audience reached;
Strategy (or methodology);
Activity implementation timeline;
A preliminary budget estimate, including a cost forecast;
If the proposed activities include knowledge exchange activities with Indigenous peoples or traditional communities, a statement from a community member demonstrating consent must be submitted. This can be in the form of a message or letter;
A copy of the curriculum vitae (only) of the applicant organization’s representative, including a letter of recommendation (from department heads or the directors of your organization/workplace).
Proof of a connection with the community (affiliation or past collaborative experience).
