This is an opportunity provided by the Rural Poverty and Agriculture programme: Find out more

In order to ensure the daily issues faced by rural poor people and their communities are acknowledged, it is vital that their stories are heard and their voices are amplified.  With funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the specialised UN agency, we will bring together journalists from across West and Eastern Africa to attend this workshop that will help to enable journalists to better tell the story of rural development.  The course will build expertise and increase familiarity and knowledge of issues faced by rural communities, help journalists to present new viewpoints, promote discussion and dialogue on how small-scale agriculture can respond to the growing demand for food and on the essential need to support rural transformation and smallholder agriculture.

Journalists will have the opportunity to attend visit sites in the field, meet subject matter experts, and rural development stakeholders.

We expect all journalists who are selected to attend to pursue stories along these issues in their home countries after the workshop with the assistance of TRF mentors

Who Can Apply

Applicants must be full-time journalists or regular contributors to a media organisation. Applicants must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in journalism in their country, and should have at least two years’ professional experience.
 
The workshop will be billingual English and French.  You must be fluent in one of these.

We would also like to see professional evidence of your interest in the field of rural peoples’ issues and development

Course Logistics

Thomson Reuters Foundation, through IFAD funding and support, offers full bursaries for journalists from African countries working for established media organisations. Bursaries would include air travel expenses (economy class), accommodation, local transfers and meals. Please note that you need to check visa requirements and ensure you have the necessary documentation required.  The cost of your visa and any other related costs will be the responsibility of the participant. This arrangement is subject to variation.