The UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 in Mongolia is a fully funded program for professional journalists to report on land degradation and drought resilience. This fellowship supports six journalists to attend the UNCCD COP17 conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026, focusing on underreported stories about global land pressures.
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is the only binding international treaty addressing land degradation and drought. Together with the International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA), UNCCD organizes this fellowship to enhance media coverage of critical environmental issues and promote sustainable land stewardship worldwide.
UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship Benefits
- Return economy-class travel
- Accommodation
- Media accreditation
- Field Visits
UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship Eligibility Criteria
- The fellowship is open to professional journalists (staff or freelance) with a strong track record of reporting on environment, climate, agriculture, development, food systems, business, or related issues.
- Applicants should:
- Work with a recognized media outlet
- Be based in countries affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought.
- Demonstrate an interest in reporting on the intersection between environmental change and social and economic dynamics
- Selected fellows will represent different regions and languages, including the six official languages of the United Nations (Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish).
- Selected fellows will:
- Participate in pre-COP virtual briefings with experts
- Attend and report from UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar
- Produce independent journalistic coverage connected to the themes of the fellowship
- All fellows retain full editorial independence and journalistic integrity.
- Fellows will publish at least three stories, including:
- One story ahead of COP17
- One story during COP17
- One story after COP17, connecting the global conversation on land and drought to their local realities.
About UNCCD COP17
UNCCD is a multilateral commitment to advance sustainable land stewardship to provide food, water, and economic opportunity to all people.
The 17th session of the Conference of the Parties (UNCCD COP17) is expected to bring together delegates from the Convention’s 197 Parties, alongside leaders from government, business, civil society, scientists, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities to address the global loss of fertile lands and the intensification of droughts.
About the Fellowship
The UNCCD COP17 Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship aims to help bridge this gap by enabling journalists to report directly from the conference and the field, engage with leading experts and communities, and explore the solutions shaping a more resilient future.
How to Apply?
- Submit three samples of relevant published work
- Provide a letter from an editor confirming intent to publish COP17-related coverage
- Submit a short proposal outlining three potential stories, including one ahead of COP17
- Provide information about the media outlet’s reach, including audience size and geographic scope
- Submit CV or resume
- Send application materials to [email protected] with the subject line ‘COP17 Media Fellowship Application’
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship supports journalists in covering key global issues like land degradation, climate change, and drought. It offers reporting opportunities, access to experts, and helps amplify important environmental stories worldwide.
What is the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship?
The UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship is a fully funded program that selects six journalists to report from the UNCCD COP17 conference in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It aims to support coverage of land degradation, drought resilience, and related environmental issues.
Who is eligible to apply for this fellowship?
Professional journalists (staff or freelance) with experience in environment, climate, agriculture, or related fields are eligible. Applicants must work with a recognized media outlet and be based in countries affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought.
What benefits does the fellowship provide?
The fellowship covers return economy-class travel, accommodation during COP17, media accreditation, a field visit in Mongolia, and access to UNCCD experts through pre-COP virtual briefings.
What is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 23:59 GMT on 15 April 2026. Selected fellows will be notified by the end of April 2026.
How do I apply for the fellowship?
Applicants must submit three published work samples, a letter from an editor, a story proposal, media outlet reach information, and a CV to [email protected] with the subject line ‘COP17 Media Fellowship Application’.
What are the fellowship dates?
The fellowship includes pre-COP briefings in May-June 2026 and reporting during COP17 from 17 to 28 August 2026 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
What language skills are required?
Applicants must demonstrate strong English proficiency to follow COP17 briefings, events, and expert discussions. Selected fellows will represent different regions and UN official languages.
What are the reporting requirements for fellows?
Fellows must publish at least three stories: one ahead of COP17, one during COP17, and one after COP17. At least one story should highlight solutions linked to drought resilience and sustainable land management.
Is editorial independence maintained?
Yes, all fellows retain full editorial independence and journalistic integrity while producing coverage connected to the fellowship themes.
What is the focus of COP17?
COP17 will focus on restoring land, strengthening drought resilience, and safeguarding ecosystems. It coincides with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, highlighting their role in food security and climate action.
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