Content Production and Distribution of Information to Build Awareness about Renewable Energy in India

Please read the following sections carefully, as they contain important information on eligibility and the application process.  

Internews’ Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is seeking to boost content production and distribution of information to build awareness about renewable energy in India, with a focus on Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh. EJN will support the production of in-depth content on the subject, with the aim of improving access to quality information and raising awareness among policymakers, project developers, investors, and observers.   

Overview  

Renewable Energy (RE) projects have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and the ensuing global economic downturn. Challenges related to project financing, payment, regulations, and evacuation infrastructure have added to the worries of RE developers. Still, the long-term prospects remain bright, as India seeks to install 500 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.  

To improve public awareness about this issue, we are looking to provide fellowships to produce in-depth content on policy, financing, payment, and infrastructure hurdles — and on effective strategies and solutions to overcome them.  

Content themes 

As noted above, we welcome proposals that focus on policy, financing, payment, and infrastructure hurdles — and effective strategies and solutions to overcome them.  

We aim to support the development, production, and publication of reports that raise awareness about the status of the renewable energy sector and strategies to ensure its growth in India, especially in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh.  

Proposals that focus on topics that have not been widely covered are preferred. Issues that have already received a lot of coverage or don’t provide unique angles to challenges are less likely to be selected.   

Eligibility  

Proposals from all states in India are eligible, but proposals that shed light on the RE situation in Bihar, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Uttar Pradesh will be prioritized.   

Groups of content producers are eligible. However, the application must be made in the name of one lead applicant. Lead applicants are responsible for communicating with EJN and receiving funds as remuneration on the group’s behalf if awarded.   

For the purposes of this opportunity, we will be accepting applications in English, Hindi, Marathi, and Tamil.  

Applications are open to India-based content producers (online, print, television, radio) and other experts with a demonstrated interest in covering the RE sector. We will give preference to those who regularly cover economy, business, and energy beats. To ensure equal opportunities and diversity of voices, we especially encourage applications from women, youth, and members of Indigenous communities.  

We are seeking applications from freelancers and staff from all types of outlets — international, national, local, and community-based.   

EJN reserves the right to disqualify applicants from consideration if they have been found to have engaged in unethical or improper professional conduct.   

Approach & format 

  
EJN will provide support, by way of remuneration, of approximately Rs 90,000 to each selected applicant, depending on the proposal and method of coverage, with some flexibility for in-depth and data-driven content using innovative and investigative approaches that may be more costly to produce. Upon confirmation, the applicant will be required to execute the required fellowship agreement with EJN for creation, development and publication of the content on the stated issue(s).  

We plan to issue confirmations and fellowship agreements in May with the expectation that all content will be published by October 15, 2023, at the latest. Applicants should consider this timeline when drafting their work plan. 

Safety: We encourage applicants to follow best practices for Covid-19 when out in the field. If needed, you should include any Covid-related costs, such as tests or personal protective equipment, in your budget.   

Language of publication: Content can be produced in English or local languages, or both. We encourage applications in local languages and reporting for local media outlets. However, for wider dissemination, an English translation should be provided. Please include the cost for translation in the budget, if necessary.  

Budget: All applicants are required to provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested using the template provided. We ask that the budgets be reasonable and account for costs necessary for reporting, such as travel and accommodation. Please also note on your budget if you are receiving funding from any other sources for the story.  

Applications with smaller budgets will be more competitive, but we will consider larger budgets for reports using innovative, collaborative, or investigative approaches that may be more resource-intensive and time-consuming. We encourage the use of multimedia; applicants for long-form and multimedia narratives should include plans and budget for accompanying multimedia elements such as video clips and photos.   

We expect that proposals will largely reflect what equipment the applicant already has access to (including cameras, drones, lighting, tripods, etc.) and will not consider budgets that heavily focus on procuring new equipment.   

We will consider a stipend component in the budget, particularly if the applicant is a freelancer. Please estimate the time you’ll need to produce this content and propose compensation you believe reflects a fair market rate. We ask, however, that this comprises no more than 30% of the total budget.   

Republication rights: Those who finalize and execute the fellowship agreements are free to publish or broadcast their content first in their affiliated media as long as Internews’ EJN and its partners are also given rights to edit, publish, broadcast, and distribute them freely.   

Judging criteria  

Applicants should consider the following points when devising their proposals:  

Relevance: Does the proposal meet the criteria and objectives of this call? Why does this report matter and to whom? Are the main idea, context, and overall value to the target audience clearly defined?  

Angle: If the subject has been covered already, does your proposal bring new insights into the topic or offer a fresh angle?   

Impact: Does the proposal have a compelling narrative or investigative element that will inform and engage, draw attention, trigger debate and urge action?   

Innovative storytelling: The use of creative approaches, multimedia, and data visualization will be considered a plus.  

Plan for timely publication of content: Content producers will need to include a letter of support from a media outlet in their application, committing to publish the stories no later than October 15, 2023.  

Application process  

• Click the ‘Apply now’ button at the top of the page.  
• If you have an existing account, you’ll need to log in. Since we recently updated our website, you might have to reset your password by clicking the “Forgot password?” link on the login page. If you don’t have an account, you must register by clicking “Log in” on the top right of the page and clicking the “Sign up” link at the bottom of the page that opens. Click here for detailed instructions on how to create an account, and here for detailed instructions on how to reset your password.  
• If you start the application and want to come back and complete it later, you can click ‘Save Draft.’ To return to the draft, you’ll need to go back to the opportunity and click ‘Apply now’ again to finalize the application.  
• Applications should provide a detailed budget with justification for the amount requested. Download the budget template now by clicking on this link.  
• All applicants are required to provide a signed letter of support, explicitly stating that the outlet will publish the content produced as a result of this support.  
• Applicants will also need to submit two samples of reports or links to relevant work.   

Note: You’ll be asked to upload these supporting documents once you start the application process, so please have them handy.   

If you encounter difficulties with submitting your application or have questions about the grants, please email [email protected]. Do not contact any other Internews email regarding this opportunity, as we will not receive it.   

Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.