GLOBAL SUBSIDIES INITIATIVE

With an aim to helping journalists tackle challenging investigative work on subsidies, the Global Subsidies Initiative offers grants to journalists world-wide who have demonstrated an aptitude for investigative journalism and who wish to pursue a special journalistic project on the links between subsidies and sustainable development.

Subsidies play an overwhelming role, either positive or negative, on most aspects of sustainable development. Yet they can be arcane and complex, posing tremendous challenges for journalists, even those well versed in economics, trade or the environment. The GSI journalism grants form a part of the GSI’s ongoing international capacity-building programme for journalists, comprising regional Media Forums, access to expertise, as well as financial and practical support for investigative reporting on subsidies-related issues.

Each grant, of 750 USD, supports the production of a feature length article, short video or radio documentary, or interactive Web-based report, which examines the linkages between subsidies and sustainable development. Additional travel and incidental expenses might also be covered on a case-by-case basis. Grants will be awarded based on the basis of a one-page (maximum) proposal describing the investigative project. This proposal should also include a:

List of potential subjects to be interviewed
Time-line for the completion of the report
Description of avenues for the publication of the articles

In addition, a portfolio of relevant journalistic work should also be included. 

Proposals will be selected on the basis of:

Originality and news value of the three proposed articles
Likelihood that the articles will be disseminated through the news media
Overall strength of the applicant’s portfolio 

Grant proposals should be sent, either in hard copy or electronically, to:

Javed Ahmad/Damon Vis-Dunbar
The International Institute for Sustainable Development
Chemin de Balexert 9
1219 Chatelaine, Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (22) 917-8748