Applications are now open for the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026, a fully funded opportunity for journalists to report from one of the world’s most important environmental conferences. The fellowship will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026, alongside the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification. (UN Regional Information Centre)
This fellowship will select six journalists from around the world to cover critical issues related to land degradation, drought, and their impacts on food security, water resources, and global stability. There is no application fee, and English language tests such as IELTS are not required.
Fellowship Overview
- Host Country: Mongolia
- Location: Ulaanbaatar
- Program Dates: 17 – 28 August 2026
- Duration: 2 Weeks
- Funding: Fully Funded
- Application Deadline: 15 April 2026
About UNCCD COP17
The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) is a global agreement focused on sustainable land management and restoring degraded land to secure food systems, water availability, and economic stability.
The 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) will bring together representatives from 197 countries, along with scientists, policymakers, civil society organizations, Indigenous communities, and business leaders to address the accelerating global crisis of land degradation and drought. (UN Regional Information Centre)
About the Media Reporting Fellowship
The UNCCD Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship is designed to strengthen global reporting on environmental challenges that often receive limited media attention. Selected fellows will have the opportunity to:
- Report directly from COP17 sessions and side events
- Participate in field visits and community engagements
- Interact with leading global experts and policymakers
- Explore real-world solutions to land degradation and drought
The fellowship aims to amplify high-quality journalism and ensure broader public awareness of land-related environmental issues.
Financial Benefits
The fellowship is fully funded and covers:
- Round-trip economy class airfare
- Accommodation in Mongolia
- Official media accreditation for COP17
- Organized field visits and reporting opportunities
Who Can Apply?
The program is open to professional journalists, including both staff reporters and freelancers, who have experience covering topics such as:
- Climate change
- Environment and sustainability
- Agriculture and food systems
- Development or economic issues
Applicants should:
- Work with a recognized media outlet
- Be based in countries affected by desertification, land degradation, or drought
- Demonstrate strong interest in reporting on environmental and socio-economic issues
The fellowship will ensure diversity in representation, including participants covering the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish.
Fellowship Expectations
Selected fellows will be required to:
- Attend pre-conference virtual briefings
- Travel to Mongolia and report from COP17
- Produce independent journalistic content related to the fellowship themes
Each fellow must publish at least three stories:
- One story before COP17
- One story during the conference
- One story after the event connecting global discussions to local realities
All fellows retain full editorial independence in their reporting.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit the following:
- Three samples of relevant published work
- A letter from an editor confirming intent to publish COP17 coverage
- A short proposal outlining three story ideas (including one pre-conference story)
- Information about the media outlet’s audience reach
- Updated CV or resume
How to Apply
All application materials must be sent via email to: press@unccd.int
Use the subject line: “COP17 Media Fellowship Application”
Why This Fellowship Matters
Land degradation and drought affect billions of people worldwide, yet these issues often receive limited media attention compared to other climate topics. By supporting journalists to report directly from COP17, the UNCCD aims to improve global understanding of how land restoration connects to food security, migration, economic resilience, and climate stability.
This fellowship offers a rare opportunity to report from a major UN conference while gaining access to high-level policy discussions, field reporting experiences, and global environmental experts—all at no cost.
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