Support for Your Ideas: Climate Journalism and Communication

Within COP30 (10-21 November) we are checking pitches each 2 days. 

Thank you for your interest in submitting a project idea. MediaNet and n-ost are eager to support climate change-related stories from Central Asia. We welcome submissions of various formats that focus on this critical issue. We are particularly interested in projects that:

  • are multi-format and engaging (without overwhelming the audience),
  • cover COP and climate policy in Central Asian countries,
  • highlight personal or local stories related to climate change,
  • feature investigative journalism,
  • offer solutions-based journalism.

Your submission will be reviewed on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month. Additionally, we are available for follow-up calls to discuss your ideas further. Please note that while proposals must be submitted in English ONLY (we will NOT evaluate pitches in other languages), we strongly encourage the production of materials in national languages.

We take care to ensure all necessary taxes are paid, and contracts are drawn up with individuals or legal entities. Payments are made via bank transfer only.

The maximum budget for each project is 600 euros (the receipt of funds is processed in tenge based on the exchange rate for March 2025). This money includes taxes and the amount required for the transfer of the fee. To receive payment, the journalist must provide a certificate of tax residency. If no such certificate is provided, the fee will be reduced by 20% due to taxation in Kazakhstan. Editorial expenses can not be covered.

One project participant may receive up to €1,000 per year, with a total funding limit within the Project of €4,000. In exceptional cases, the amount for a single participant may be higher.
Important: this limitation does not apply to media outlets themselves. We are happy to support different journalists of one media.

The project participants has 3 months max to publish one article or produce a communication product. Before signing the contract and starting the work, the journalist must sign a confirmation document specifying: the article title, the format of the material, and any other agreed conditions.

Do not start working on your idea until you receive confirmation from us that you have been selected, along with comments from the jury.

Please fill in the form below with as much detail as possible. We look forward to helping you bring your ideas to life!

  • We have a rule about using AI: you must clearly say in your application if you used AI to help with your pitch, whether it was just for translation or for writing the whole pitch (вы должны ясно указать в своей заявке, если вы использовали ИИ при подготовке питча — даже если только для перевода или для написания всего текста).
I want to apply but don’t know which topic to choose.

Each month (first Thursday, 10.00 CET) you can come for the Zoom call with Project Manаger and pitch your idea in-person and receive a feedback for your idea. 

Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
Full Name
 *
Email Address
 *
Please share three materials or articles related to your previous work on climate change topics.
 *
Working Title of the Publication
 *
Story in One Sentence
 *
Summarize your story idea in one clear and concise sentence.
Language of the Publication *
Context and Importance
 *
What is the context of your story, and why is it important right now? Consider the broader social, political, or environmental context.
Characters or Scene
 *
Who are the main characters or what key scenes will you feature in your story? This could include people, experts, locations, or important events.
Please provide information about the experts involved in the project. Specifically, their backgrounds and areas of expertise.
 *
Format of Your Story
 *
What format will your story take? (e.g., article, video documentary, podcast, photo essay).
Timeline Sketch
 *
Share with us shortly timeline for the project. You have 3 months max to send us the link for your publication. 
Estimated Budget (Max 600 euros)
 *
What is your estimated budget for the project? Please provide a breakdown if possible. It is not enough to simply state €600; we also need to understand how you are going to spend this money.
Publication Plans
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Where do you plan to publish your work or findings related to this project?
Additional Notes (Optional)
Is there anything else we should know about your project or support needs?
I read conditions of the call (description at the top of the application) and agree with them  *
By filling out this form, I consent to MediaNet and n-ost collecting, storing, and processing my personal data.
 *
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