The inaugural Africa Climate Summit (ACS2023) is taking place 4-6 September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya.

The ACS2023 aims to address Africa’s increased exposure to climate change and its cost to communities and the environment across the continent.

Urgent action is needed to adapt to and mitigate the climate crisis, and so ACS2023 will serve as a platform to inform and influence commitment to climate action, ultimately leading to the development of a new ‘Nairobi Declaration’ as an outcome of ACS2023.

A key event at ACS2023 will be a climate action ‘Innovators Hub’ hosted by The African Union Commission.

The hub provides an opportunity to showcase a diverse range of bold, innovative climate action—especially those led by women and youth—that are taking place across the continent which align and realise the ambitions of the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032).

AICCRA Media Fellowship

The Accelerating Impacts of CGIAR Climate Research for Africa (AICCRA) works to deliver a climate-smart African future driven by science and innovation in agriculture.

To accelerate the scaling of climate-smart innovation in African agriculture, AICCRA is thrilled to contribute to the African Union ‘Innovators Hub’ as a key technical and communications partner.

As part of this partnership, AICCRA invites applicants to apply for its inaugural Media Fellowship, which is open to up to two selected journalists from Africa. 

The fellows would be mentored by the AICCRA global communications team and affiliated technical specialists in the preparations for ACS2023.

The fellows would then attend ACS2023 from 4 – 6 September, attending side events in the Innovators Hub, carrying out interviews with hub contributors and other key stakeholders.

The fellows are then expected to draft stories and be responsible for pitching them to targeted media outlets. 

Travel, visa and accommodation expenses will be covered.

A fellowship grant is offered to successful applicants.

A key requirement of the fellowship is to secure at least two stories in either national, regional, continental or international media outlets related to the ACS2023, with a focus on agriculture.

Preference will be given to applications that include digital elements, with applicants expected to demonstrate the ability to deliver multiple, simultaneous digital products to a high standard during their ACS2023 assignment (including photo, video, or audio).

Application process

For the opportunity to be selected as one of the media fellows to participate in the African Union climate action Innovators Hub, please complete and submit the application form no later than Wednesday 9 August 2023 at midnight East African Time.