This is an opportunity provided by the Skoll Foundation programme: Find out more

Communications staff at NGOs and CSOs tackling issues relating to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) are invited to join a cutting-edge communications training program to strengthen audience engagement skills to boost reach and impact.

The programme will be delivered by world-class trainers and experts and uses Thomson Reuters Foundation’s unique ‘dual track’ approach, which trains journalists and CSO representatives in parallel, and provides opportunities for networking and collaborative story development. This approach strengthens trust between journalists and NGOs/CSOs.

Journalists will learn how to better report on corporate social performance by examining the data and how investors can collaborate with different actors to get necessary information and hold relevant parties to account.

CSOs will learn how to effectively communicate their message to key stakeholders and target audiences and improve their media communication skills.

The media training element of this Programme aims to help civil society organisations to better communicate key messages to target audiences and the media, with a view to contributing to higher-quality communications and dialogue on issues relating to ESG and corporate social impact.

At the end of the programme, you will be able to: 

·       Define and segment audiences for CSO communications 

·       Develop clear, accessible key messages for target audiences 

·       Map a communications campaign 

·       Understand the use of digital marketing and multimedia skills training tools 

·       Understand the news cycle and how journalists work 

·       Communicate with the media via day-to-day press relations and crisis management 

·       Prepare a spokesperson for interviews and presentations 

·       Practice interview skills 

·       Interact with journalists using a ‘solutions journalism’ approach

NOTE: The Programme contents may be modified to best respond to the learning needs of the participants.

Who Can Apply

• Communications officers or members of CSOs or NGOs tackling issues relating to ESG and corporate social impact. Applicants must have a minimum of 3 years’ professional experience.
• Participants shall have experience or strong interest in dealing with the media and communicating their organisations’ findings to a wider audience. 
• Applicants must be based in South Africa (or working in organisations tackling issues relating to the ESG and corporate social impact in South Africa).
• Applicants must have a high proficiency level of spoken and written English.
• Applicants must have access to a minimum internet speed of 8 MB/second. (You can check the speed of your device by logging from it on www.speedtest.net). 
• Applicants must commit to participate in the full six-day Programme. 



Course Logistics

Course Dates: 5, 7, 8, 12, 14, and 15 December 2022

Joint Session: 14 December will be a joint session between CSOs and journalists.

Course structure: The course will be delivered over 6 x 3.5-hour sessions, using online seminars and other interactive online tools. Participants will be given short activities to complete during and after each session to build skills and confidence.

Timing: 09:00 - 12:30 SAST

Location: Online (Zoom), South Africa

Language: English

Application deadline: 20 November 2022

Additional Pre-Training Session: 22 November (11:00 - 13:00 SAST), Introduction to Communicating with Data. This session will focus on some of the essentials of data analysis (cleaning concepts, filtering, sorting, pivot tables, and scraping data from documents). All eligible applicants who have completed an application form will be invited to attend this session.



Certification & TRF Alumni Engagement: Participants who engage in at least 80% of the sessions will receive a certificate from Thomson Reuters Foundation and will benefit from future alumni engagement, including exclusive invitations for events, access to more training and story funding.

Meet Our Experts

Corinne Podger, Communications Lead Trainer

Corinne Podger is a former science journalist with the BBC World Service and ABC Australia. For the past 10 years she has designed and delivered training for reporters and civil society organisations in more than 60 countries on climate change, public health, and biodiversity; and supported digital innovation in video production, smartphone journalism, podcasting, and strategic audience engagement. Corinne has taught digital journalism at the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne. She holds an MA in International Relations from the University of Cambridge, UK.

Viasen Soobramoney, Communications Co-Trainer

Viasen Soobramoney is an experienced senior manager and multiple award-winning journalist with a demonstrated history of working in the media, marketing and communications industry. He is highly skilled in corporate and political communication, crisis management, operations and strategy. Viasen is a digital media specialist and media trainer.

Complete this APPLICATION FORM before 25 November 2022 at 18:00 SAST.

If you have any difficulties applying, please contact eleanor.wellerpoley@thomsonreuters.com