The UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 is a fully funded two-week journalism fellowship in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, from 17 to 28 August 2026, coinciding with the 17th session of the UN Convention to Combat Desertification Conference of the Parties. Selecting six professional journalists from countries affected by desertification, land degradation, and drought, the fellowship covers return economy-class travel, accommodation, media accreditation, and field visits. No application fee or IELTS score is required. The application deadline is 15 April 2026.
Program Highlights
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Funded Media Journalism Fellowship |
| Organising Body | United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) |
| Mode | Offline |
| Duration | 2 Weeks |
| Location | Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 April 2026 |
About the Program
The UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 is designed to close a critical gap in global journalism by enabling professional reporters to cover land degradation, drought, and food and water security directly from one of the world’s most significant environmental policy forums. The fellowship embeds six selected journalists within UNCCD COP17 — a landmark gathering of delegates from 197 Parties alongside government leaders, scientists, civil society representatives, and Indigenous Peoples — providing direct access to expert briefings, field visits, and on-the-ground community perspectives.
Eligibility Criteria
Academic Qualification
- Open to professional journalists — both staff and freelance — from all countries worldwide
- No IELTS or formal English language certificate is required
- Fellows must represent one of the six official UN languages: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, or Spanish
Experience & Other Conditions
- Must have a strong track record of reporting on environment, climate, agriculture, development, food systems, business, or related issues
- Must work with a recognised media outlet and be able to provide a confirming letter from an editor
- Must be based in a country affected by desertification, land degradation, or drought
- Must demonstrate interest in reporting on the intersection of environmental change and social and economic dynamics
- Fellows are required to publish at least three stories: one ahead of COP17, one during COP17, and one after COP17 connecting global discussions to local realities
- All fellows retain full editorial independence and journalistic integrity throughout the fellowship
Benefits & Funding
| Component | Detail |
|---|---|
| Return Airfare | Economy-class return travel fully covered |
| Accommodation | Provided for the full two-week fellowship duration |
| Media Accreditation | Full accreditation to UNCCD COP17 included |
| Field Visits | Organised field visits to relevant sites and communities |
| Expert Access | Pre-COP virtual briefings with leading land and drought experts |
Topics / Themes Covered
- Global loss of fertile lands and intensification of droughts
- Food and water security under growing land pressure
- Economic stability and global resilience in the context of land degradation
- Desertification, land stewardship, and sustainable development
- Community-level impacts of drought and land degradation
- Solutions and innovations shaping a more land-resilient future
- Intersection of environmental change with social and economic dynamics
Selection Process
- Application materials submitted by email to press@unccd.int with the subject line “COP17 Media Fellowship Application”
- Evaluation based on journalistic track record, media outlet reach, and relevance of submitted work samples
- Selected fellows will represent diverse geographic regions and UN official languages
- Only six fellows are selected globally, making the program highly competitive
How to Apply
- Prepare three samples of relevant published work demonstrating your reporting on environment, climate, agriculture, or related issues.
- Obtain a letter from your editor confirming intent to publish COP17-related coverage.
- Draft a short story proposal outlining three potential stories, including one piece planned ahead of COP17.
- Compile information about your media outlet’s reach, including audience size and geographic scope.
- Attach your CV or resume with your full application package.
- Send all materials to press@unccd.int with the subject line “COP17 Media Fellowship Application” before the 15 April 2026 deadline.
Application Fee
| Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| All Applicants | No application fee required |
Important Dates
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Notification Release Date | 20 March 2026 |
| Last Date to Apply | 15 April 2026 |
| Fellowship Dates | 17–28 August 2026 |
Important Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Official Fellowship Page | Click here |
| Application Email | press@unccd.int |
Contact
Submit all application materials directly by email to press@unccd.int with the subject line “COP17 Media Fellowship Application.” Refer to the official UNCCD website for all programme-related queries and further details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the UNCCD COP17 Media Reporting Fellowship 2026?
Professional journalists — staff or freelance — based in countries affected by desertification, land degradation, or drought, with a strong environmental or development reporting track record, are eligible to apply.
What does the fellowship cover financially?
Return economy-class airfare, accommodation, media accreditation, and field visits are fully covered for all six selected fellows.
How many fellows are selected?
Only six journalists are selected globally, with representation across different regions and all six official UN languages.
What must fellows publish during the program?
Fellows must independently produce at least three stories — one before, one during, and one after UNCCD COP17 — connecting global land and drought discussions to their local contexts.
How should applications be submitted?
All materials must be emailed to press@unccd.int with the subject line “COP17 Media Fellowship Application” before the 15 April 2026 deadline; no application fee applies.