African Climate Stories Fellowship
ABOUT THE FELLOWSHIP
Problem
Stories and the media have been a very powerful tool for inspiring action. Yet many environmental and climate activists aren't equipped or skilled enough to use storytelling and media in ways that could inspire action. On the other hand, so many young storytellers and media creators in Africa aren't using their talents, channels and skills in ways that could support environmental and climate change advocacy efforts.
Solution
Bring together storytellers, creatives, artists and climate activists to collaborate in creating narratives to drive awareness and action for climate solutions and environmental sustainability in Africa.
Vision
A green continent and a world where everyone is actively involved, and conscious of the impact of their actions on the environment.
How It works
Fellowship Application
Story Development
Story Projects and Showcase
Application and Selection
Fellowship application calls are opened once a year. To get notified, follow us on our social media pages to stay updated. Another major way to stay in the loop to increase your chances will be to participate in the monthly online training forum. Through this forum, we aim to bring in experienced storytellers, artists and multimedia professionals in diverse formats once a month for an online webinar and training. After the trainings, questions can be answered towards preparation for the fellowship.
01
first step
Apply to become a fellow
02
second step
Most promising story applications are shortlisted
03
third step
Interviews and Final selection
Induction and Story Development
The fellowship program commences with an orientation session, where incoming fellows are introduced to the program’s mission, objectives, and expectations. This session also fosters a sense of community among the cohort. Fellows participate in a series of online training modules led by experts in climate science, storytelling, and advocacy. These modules cover a range of topics, including climate change science, effective storytelling techniques, and advocacy strategies. Throughout the online training, fellows engage in peer learning and collaborative discussions to exchange ideas and enhance their understanding of climate-related issues.
01
first step
Orientation Session
02
second step
Training and Story Development
03
third step
Peer Learning and Mentoring
Creation of Story Projects
Fellows are grouped into project teams. Each team comprises individuals with diverse skills, to ensure multidimensional storytelling. The teams attend storytelling workshops and receive guidance from mentors on how to craft compelling narratives that resonate with various audiences. These workshops emphasize the power of storytelling in driving climate change action. Fellows work collaboratively to develop their story projects, which can take various forms such as articles, documentaries, art installations, or social media campaigns. These projects are designed to educate, engage, and inspire action on climate change and environmental issues.
The climax of the program is the African Climate Stories Festival, where fellows’ projects are displayed, screened, or performed. The festival not only educates the public about climate change but also creates a space for dialogue and networking with other storytellers and partners attending the Festival. At the festival, outstanding projects are recognized and awarded. This celebration marks the graduation of the cohort, but fellows continue to be part of the program’s alumni network, further extending their impact on climate advocacy.
Through this holistic approach, the African Climate Stories Fellowship empowers storytellers and climate activists to leverage the power of narratives for effective climate change communication and environmental advocacy, driving positive change in our society.
01
first step
Project Team Formation
02
second step
Story Project Creation
03
third step
Showcase and Graduation
Hear from our fellows
I used to think climate issues could only be tackled by scientists but, joining this fellowship made me realize that everyone can be involved.
Labi Diya
Filmmaker
01
04
I came into African Climate Stories Fellowship as a novice when it comes to storytelling but here I am today with a full knowledge on how to use storytelling as a tool for fighting against climate change. Being a part of the fellowship gave me the opportunity to connect with great minds. I came in as a botanist and graduated as a board game creator. My experience at African Climate Stories Fellowship is the best so far.
Dada Nosirat Oluwabukola
Game creator
02
04
exposure I got during the period of the fellowship training. Looking forward, I will continue with the good work of making more people aware of the causes, impact and implications of our actions towards the environment that brings about change in climatic conditions.
Aghogho Kolawole-Daniels
Climate Science Researcher
03
04
I have long aspired to establish a platform where young individuals can learn about climate change and emerge as ambassadors in their respective communities. The dream gained momentum with the inception of African Climate Stories after years of contemplation. What began with an initial group of 20 has now garnered immense interest, with over 50 individuals eagerly awaiting to join this journey. Thank you, African Climate Stories, for breathing life into this vision.
Omotola Francis-Akinlolu
Educational Consultant
04
04
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frequently asked questions
Who can be a part of the African Climate Stories Fellowship?
Storytellers in all its forms are encouraged to apply! From Filmmakers, Poets, Artists, Writers, Content Creators, Game developers, Musicians and Performers to even Climate Advocates with experience in storytelling for environmental and climate change advocacy.
Who was the African Climate Stories Fellowship created for?
African Climate Stories Fellowship was created for emerging environmental and climate storytellers who are using their creative and artistic talents and skills to create narratives that spark conversations and action for climate change and environmental solutions in their spaces and communities.
How do I join the African Climate Stories Fellowship?
We run one cohort of up to 20 fellows per year. A cohort is a group of diverse forms of multimedia storytellers and climate change advocates who start the program at the same time and go through it together. We'd love to consider you for our next cohort! The first step is to complete an application.
How much does the African Climate Stories Fellowship Cost?
The African Climate Stories Fellowship is entirely free. Special thanks to the Urban Movement Innovation Fund, and partners like American Corner Ikeja and Spunky Toonz to name a few whose support is making it possible to bring this rich opportunity to you at no cost.
What is the African Climate Stories Fellowship Like?
Each cohort lasts 16 weeks. The first 5 weeks consists of an induction program and an online learning curriculum designed to deepen and challenge your thinking around environmental and climate change issues and how to use diverse forms of storytelling mediums to capture each issue in the best way that suits the target audience of your story. You will interact with other storytellers in your cohort and have one -on one sessions with some of the fellowship's faculty.
After the first 5 weeks, fellows will go into their communities and begin creating their stories and document their impact while giving weekly progress reports to the fellowship team.
Are there opportunities to receive funding?
There is no guarantee that fellows will receive funding as a participant in the African Climate Stories Fellowship. However, we do hold a pitch competition at the end of the cohort for fellows who have successfully completed the fellowship program. We also have some fellows receive financial rewards for outstanding story projects. And we earnestly look out for opportunities to connect fellows to investors, or funders as a result of their participation in our program.
What is the time commitment for the African Climate Stories Fellowship?
Between weekly online classes, assignments and additional networking opportunities, you can expect to commit about 6 hours per week to the African Climate Stories Fellowship.
How do I increase my chances of getting into the Fellowship Program?
With support from 'Social Good Lagos' African Climate Stories is launching the African Climate Stories Forum. This is an open online monthly training in multimedia and climate storytelling. Participating in these training, giving your feedback through the post training surveys and submitting your stories to be featured in our story of the month contests can improve your chances of selection into the fellowship program because through your participation in these monthly trainings, we will have more data to be able to assess your experience and skill level for environmental and climate storytelling.