Applications Open: Forest Governance Story Grants (2025)

Deadline: 06 Jan 2026

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is now accepting applications for its 2025 Forest Governance Story Grants – a funding opportunity for journalists worldwide to produce rigorous, evidence‑based reporting on forest governance. Selected journalists will receive grants to support fieldwork, travel, data collection, and other critical reporting expenses. The goal is to deepen public understanding of forest governance issues and amplify underreported stories about deforestation, illegal logging, land rights, and policy failures.

What the Grant Supports

The 2025 Forest Governance Story Grants provide financing to enable thorough, in‑depth reporting on how forests are governed, managed, protected, or exploited. The initiative encourages journalists to uncover and report on issues that are often hidden from public view, helping to foster transparency and accountability in environmental governance.

Focus Areas

EJN welcomes proposals that explore topics such as:

• Forest governance systems and institutional accountability
• Deforestation, degradation, and loss of biodiversity
• Illegal logging and illicit timber trade
• Land rights conflicts and community displacement
• Indigenous peoples’ rights and environmental justice
• Policy gaps, weak law enforcement, and ecological impacts

Through these themes, the grant aims to expose weaknesses in governance frameworks and support more transparent, community‑centered environmental reporting.

What the Grant Covers

If selected, you’ll receive funding to support:

• Field reporting, travel, and on‑site investigation
• Data collection and independent verification
• Interviews, document review, and documentation of evidence
• Multimedia reporting — video, photos, audio — as needed for story depth
• Research, analysis, and writing required for publication

EJN plans to award seven grants, with each grant averaging around GBP 1,500.

Who Can Apply

Eligible applicants include professional or freelance journalists who meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrable experience or interest in environmental, climate, or forest‑related journalism
• Dedication to investigative, evidence‑based reporting
• Capacity to conduct independent fieldwork under challenging conditions
• A concrete story idea focused on forest governance

Journalists based in regions facing forest‑governance challenges — such as deforestation, logging pressure, indigenous displacement — are especially encouraged to apply.

Why This Grant Matters

This grant opportunity matters because it helps shine light on forest issues that are often under‑reported or ignored. By supporting investigative journalism, EJN aims to:

• Raise awareness of environmental injustices and governance failures
• Highlight community and indigenous rights struggles linked to forest exploitation
• Promote accountability among governments, corporations, and stakeholders
• Generate evidence-rich stories that can influence policy, public debate, and conservation action

In short – it empowers journalists to tell powerful stories that can lead to real change.

How to Apply

To apply, prepare:

1. A clear story proposal: define the forest‑governance issue you plan to investigate.
2. A rationale: explain why the topic matters, and how it aligns with grant objectives.
3. A reporting plan: include timeline, fieldwork logistics, interview targets, and intended deliverables.
4. A budget outline: show projected expenses that match the typical grant size (~GBP 1,500).
5. Work samples (if required): demonstrate relevant journalistic ability.

Submit via EJN’s online application system before the 06 Jan 2026 deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants often get rejected due to:

• Vague or overly broad story ideas
• Weak governance or policy analysis angle
• Unrealistic budgets or unclear field logistics
• Incomplete demonstration of feasibility or impact
• Poor explanation of how the story will serve the public interest

Final Word

If you’re passionate about shedding light on forest governance issues – from illegal logging to land‑rights struggles – and are ready to do field reporting and rigorous investigation, this grant can provide the means to tell stories that matter. The 2025 Forest Governance Story Grants by EJN offer not just funding, but an opportunity to contribute to greater environmental transparency and justice worldwide.

For full guidelines and application details, visit the Earth Journalism Network website. Visit and Apply