Call for applications: Summer Academy on climate journalism and energy transition

We are inviting: Journalists based in Europe
01 Sep - 08 Sep 2024
Berlin, Germany
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DEADLINE EXTENDED TO 5 JULY!

- First draft of the programme is published -

Global heating and the move to a climate-neutral economy worldwide is a defining story of our time. It affects not only markets and business models but reaches deep into society, politics, and human wellbeing. This creates many fascinating stories and requires strong journalism to keep track of the progress and ensure a fact-based debate across borders.

Clean Energy Wire's Summer Academy is designed to equip European journalists with the tools and insights necessary to excel in your field. Hosted in Berlin, the heart of expertise in climate and energy, this immersive experience offers a unique opportunity for journalists to delve into the crucial aspects of climate communication, science-based reporting and cross-border cooperation.

The Summer Academy on climate journalism and energy transition is made possible with the support of Journalismfund Europe's Earth investigations programme.

Windmills and solar panels, CLEW study tour 2018. Copyright: Juwi
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About the Summer Academy

Target Audience: Early-career journalists or experienced professionals venturing into climate and energy reporting.

Duration: One week from 1 to 8 September 2024, divided into three comprehensive sections.

Sections:

  1. Foundations of climate communication: Understand audience perceptions, emotional engagement, and the influence of vested interests. Learn to effectively communicate fact-based information and combat disinformation.
  2. Content-focused introductions to relevant fields of energy transition and climate coverage: Explore diverse topics such as agriculture, climate movements, energy security, just transition, and more through expert-led workshops, case studies, and best-practice examples.
  3. Journalistic skills development: Hone investigative skills, identify emerging trends, learn to work across borders and assess corporate net-zero targets.

We are constantly working on our programme, a first draft schedule can be downloaded as pdf file (right next to the sign-up button).

Participation: Participation for selected participants is free of charge, accommodation and travel costs will be covered.

Frequently asked questions on how to apply, costs and logistics

1
Who is eligible for the Summer Academy? And how can I apply?

The academy is open to journalists from all over Europe (not just the countries of the EU/based on country of primary residence) in an earlier stage of their career or experienced professionals new to climate and energy reporting.

To apply, please click on the red 'sign up' button above that will take you to the web application form.

Please note that applications in any other language than English will not be accepted.

By submitting your application, you agree that your name, associated media outlet, country of primary residence and email address will appear on the list shared with all participants if your application is successful, as well as with the Journalismfund Europe.

2
What languages will be spoken during the academy?

All presentations during the sessions will be in English.

3
Are there any costs for Academy participants?

Participation in the Summer Academy is free of charge. Furthermore, accommodation and local transportation will be covered by Clean Energy Wire, as well as breakfast and lunch during the week.

Please note that no-shows and late cancellations will be charged. If you were accepted for the Academy and cancel shortly before without a medical certificate, we will offer your spot to an applicant from the waiting list. However, if we won’t find a replacement for you, we are facing high cancellation costs, of which participants who cancelled late will have to take over 250 €.

Journalists or editorial staff who have made an internal commitment not to accept free services from third parties, or who do not wish to participate in the academy free of charge for other reasons, may pay for their own travel and share of accommodation and meals. Please contact us directly at event@cleanenergywire.org

4
What about travel arrangements?

Selected participants will organise their own travel to Berlin and back independently, and will be reimbursed for their expenses after the event. Do not book anything before you get the confirmation that you can take part. When arranging travel, participants are kindly asked to consider climate-friendly modes of transportation where viable and reasonable. Please keep in mind the budgetary constraints of up to 400 euro return connection for economy class travel. Participants who would like to cover their expenses on their own (travel, food, accommodation) can get an invoice upon request after the tour.

The academy will most likely start on 1 September at 4.00 p.m. and will end on 8 September in the morning. A more detailed programme will be published about one month prior to the start of the academy.

All successful applicants will be notified on how to claim reimbursement ahead of the academy. It is generally not possible to reimburse travel expenses in cash.

5
What are the deadlines?

Deadline for applications is 5 July 2024. 

Please make sure to have access to your email, and do check the spam folder. If your application has been successful you will receive a confirmation email from CLEW no later than 11 July. In this event, please confirm your participation by 12 pm CEST on 15 July. Otherwise your place will be offered to another applicant.

6
What if I need a visa?

If you require a letter of invitation for your visa application, please let us know by sending an email to event@cleanenergywire.org. Please make sure you have a visa appointment at your embassy or consulate well before the research tour begins to leave enough time for visa processing.

Note: we do not reimburse visa fees or insurance costs.

7
I get an error message saying I’m over the character limit, but I don’t think I am?

The character limit is specified in the boxes. Note that the limit includes paragraph breaks. If you have removed all paragraph breaks and are otherwise 100 percent certain that you are below the limit specified, try using a different internet server. For example, if you have previously tried submitting unsuccessfully via Google Chrome, try Firefox, Microsoft Edge or Safari.

8
I have submitted an application but have not received a confirmation of receipt.

Please check your spam folder for an automatically generated email which will ask you to confirm that you successfully submitted an application .

You will then hear from CLEW regarding the outcome of your application no later than 11 July 2024.

9
What are the rules of citation during the tour?

Interviews and public debates between journalists and speakers follow different rules and practices in different parts of the world. To make the context of our training academy clear for all involved, we would like to set out the following framework guiding the interaction with participating journalists:

Quotes and interviews

  • Different to other CLEW events like our study tours, the training academy is not a research event, so statements made by participants are generally off the record. If you’d like to quote speakers, please ask them directly.

Photos, audio or video recordings

  • Photos of speakers and participants of the event might be published on the blog, the CLEW website and in social networks. Please support CLEW’s press and public relations work by allowing yourself to be photographed or filmed. If you do not wish to be photographed, please inform us in your application or on the spot. You can also object to the use of your image at a later date at event@cleanenergywire.org
  • If the speakers or other participants would like to take photos or record audio or video of the academy, they can approach a staff member from Clean Energy Wire so that we can agree on workable solutions.
10
Questions?

Don't hesitate to get in contact with us at event@cleanenergywire.org.

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