Forest Journalism Grants 2025: How to Win up to 1,500 GBP for Hard Hitting Forest Governance Stories

If you care about forests and you care about the truth, this grant call has your name written all over it.

The Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Forest Governance Story Grants 2025 are tailor made for journalists who want to go beyond the usual “trees are disappearing” headline and actually trace the power, money and policy decisions that decide whether forests live or die.

This is not a generic “environment beat” opportunity. It is a focused, fairly competitive program backing deep reporting on forest governance – who controls forests, who profits, who is sidelined, and how laws, trade deals and corruption shape everything from cocoa farms in Ghana to timber exports in Vietnam.

EJN expects to award around seven grants, each worth roughly 1,500 GBP, with mentoring thrown in. That may not fund a year‑long investigation, but it is more than enough to pay for meaningful travel, data work, translation, or time to report and write a serious story or small series.

If you are reporting from Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam or Indonesia, you are exactly who they want to hear from. If you are in the UK, EU, China, India, Japan or elsewhere and can follow the policy threads that link Brussels, Beijing or London to forests in those five countries, you are also strongly in the mix.

And yes, this grant will be competitive. But for a reporter who understands both the climate stakes and the politics of land and timber, it is absolutely worth the effort.

Forest Governance Story Grants at a Glance

What This Opportunity Actually Offers (Beyond the 1,500 GBP)

On paper, it looks like a modest grant: about 1,500 GBP and editorial mentoring. In practice, for a working journalist, this can be the difference between a shallow desk piece and a story that actually moves the conversation.

You can use the budget to travel to remote forest communities, pay reliable fixers and translators, or buy satellite imagery and company records that most newsrooms will never put on the corporate card. It can cover time to dig into legal documents, attend a key policy meeting, or chase a multi country supply chain instead of rephrasing press releases.

The grant is part of EJN’s new Forest Governance Media Initiative (FGMI), which means you are not just getting funding; you are plugged into a structured program that cares about results. Selected journalists receive mentoring from experienced editors and subject specialists as they move from pitch to publication. If you have ever wished for a skilled outside editor who both understands climate politics and respects your local knowledge, this is your chance.

A few very practical advantages:

• Editorial backup when you are tackling complex topics like REDD+, FLEGT licensing, or the EU Regulation on Deforestation free Products (EUDR).
• A clear expectation that your work will be accessible and impactful, not hidden behind extreme paywalls.
• A built in reason to push your outlet toward more ambitious environmental coverage: “We have external funding and international support for this.”

This is not a project for “pretty pictures of forests.” EJN explicitly wants stories that raise awareness and contribute to actual governance processes – think legal reforms, enforcement failures, community rights, and the gap between policy promises and what is happening under the canopy.

If you have ever said, “Everyone covers illegal logging, but no one follows the cash or the permitting fraud,” this is the kind of story they want.

What Topics Are in Scope (With Real World Examples)

EJN has given clear thematic hints, especially for the five core countries. They will consider strong ideas beyond these themes, but your odds are better if you anchor your pitch in these beats and add a fresh angle.

Indonesia

They are keen on stories about deforestation driven by oil palm plantations and mineral mining, land rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), gaps in forest law enforcement, and social forestry schemes.

You might, for example, investigate:

• How a planned nickel mine linked to electric vehicle supply chains is clearing previously protected forest.
• Whether the SVLK timber legality assurance system is working in practice, or how “FLEGT licensed” timber is still associated with questionable concessions.

Vietnam

Here, it is all about timber trade, REDD+ projects, implementation of the FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreement with the EU, and crucially, who actually benefits.

Stories could include:

• Following a shipment of timber from a rural district sawmill to furniture showrooms in Europe.
• Examining how benefit sharing agreements with local communities are written on paper versus what shows up in household incomes.

Cameroon

For Cameroon, expect strong interest in REDD+, community forestry, illegal logging, cocoa expansion, and forest law enforcement.

Potential stories:

• A community forest that exists mainly on documents while chainsaws roar next door.
• How cocoa farm expansion is quietly eating into ecologically important areas, and whether enforcement agencies are even tracking it.

Liberia

Liberia’s focus is on illegal logging, mining linked deforestation, financial crimes, and how EU–Liberia agreements are playing out.

This could be:

• Tracing how revenues from logging concessions move through opaque company networks.
• Examining whether new mining projects are respecting environmental and social clauses in agreements with the EU or other partners.

Ghana

Ghana’s angle is the impact of gold mining and cocoa production on forests, and the country’s progress (or lack of it) on FLEGT licensing.

You might explore:

• How “galamsey” (informal mining) is transforming forested river systems and what that means for local governance.
• Whether promised FLEGT reforms have made any visible difference on the ground.

International Forest Governance

EJN is also actively calling for journalists based in the UK, EU member states (especially Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, France, Belgium), China, India and Japan, plus others, to report on:

• How EUDR is likely to reshape trade with Indonesia, Vietnam, Cameroon, Liberia or Ghana.
• Whether REDD+, the Global Biodiversity Framework, or other global deals are changing investment, enforcement or land tenure in the five target countries.

If your story follows the thread from a supermarket shelf in Berlin or a construction site in Shanghai back to a concession in Sumatra or a forest community in Liberia, you are exactly in the right territory.

Who Should Apply (And Who This Is Perfect For)

The eligibility rules are relatively broad, but the sweet spot is journalists who already know how to report, and want to go deeper on forest governance.

You are a strong fit if:

• You are based in Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam or Indonesia and have at least some reporting experience in environment, climate, biodiversity, governance or business.
• Or you are in the UK, EU, China, India, Japan or elsewhere and can credibly report on international policies, trade or finance that impact forests in those five countries.

EJN is open to:

• Freelancers filing to one or several outlets.
• Staff journalists at international, national, local or community based media.
• Any medium: audio, video, data journalism, longform print, digital investigations.

You do not need decades of experience. Early career journalists are welcome, as long as you can show professional reporting work. If this is your first major cross border or investigative piece, the mentoring will be particularly valuable.

You can also apply as a team. For example:

• A Cameroonian radio reporter working with a data journalist in France.
• A Vietnamese business reporter teaming up with a European correspondent to track timber trade.

There must be one lead applicant, who will sign the grant agreement, handle funds, and be the main contact with EJN.

The one non negotiable technical detail: applications must be in English. You do not have to report or publish in English, but your proposal and communication with EJN need to be. If English is not your working language, line up a translator or bilingual collaborator before you start the application.

Insider Tips for a Winning Application

Think of this as pitching a tough but fair editor who reads dozens of proposals in a sitting. You need to be clear, specific and original.

1. Start With the Governance Question, Not Just “Trees Are Disappearing”

“Deforestation is bad” is not a story idea. The proposal should clearly answer: Who is making decisions, who profits, who loses, and what rules are being followed or broken?

Instead of “Deforestation in Ghana,” aim for something like:

“How gold mining companies sidestep forest protection rules in Ghana’s Western Region – and why recent FLEGT reforms have not closed the loopholes.”

That instantly signals governance, law, and accountability.

2. Make Your Angle Fresh and Concrete

The selection criteria explicitly ask whether you bring a new angle if the topic has been covered before.

Ask yourself:

• Has this specific policy, trade link, concession, or community story been reported in depth?
• Can you focus on a particular case study – one mining license, one community forest, one shipment route – that illustrates a wider problem?

Proposals like “I will investigate illegal logging in Liberia” are too vague. “I will follow the paper trail of Company X’s logging concession Y, which overlaps with community farmland and appears to violate agreement Z with the EU” is much stronger.

3. Show How the Story Will Reach Real Audiences

EJN pays attention to reach and accessibility. You should name:

• The outlet(s) you plan to publish in.
• Typical audience size or demographic, if you know it.
• Whether the piece will be behind a strict paywall.

If your primary outlet is paywalled, explain how you will ensure open access – maybe a shorter version in a partner outlet or a non paywalled republication.

4. Build Impact Into the Story Design

Impact does not mean advocacy. It means the story can inform, trigger debate, or force attention to issues people are ignoring.

Think about:

• Who most needs this information? Local communities? Lawmakers? Buyers in Europe or Asia?
• How can your story format help? For example, a radio series aired in local languages plus a web feature in English, or a data visualization that makes opaque trade numbers readable.

Spell this out: “This story will run as a three part radio series on Station A, which reaches X listeners in logging affected communities, plus a longform article in Outlet B aimed at policymakers in the capital.”

5. Plan Realistically for Time and Money

Around 1,500 GBP is not unlimited. Reviewers will notice if your plan requires six months of travel across three continents.

Be explicit about:

• How long reporting and writing will actually take.
• What specific trips, datasets, or production costs you will spend the money on.

A credible budget and timeline screams professionalism. A vague “I will use the funds for travel and research” does not.

6. Nail the Editor Support Letter

You must include a letter from an editor committing to publish by September 2026. Do not treat this as a formality.

Ask your editor to:

• Name the outlet and format (feature, series, documentary, etc.).
• Confirm they have discussed the idea with you and intend to run it if editorial standards are met.
• Note any co publication plans if relevant.

A bland, generic letter feels like a favor. A specific letter signals a real editorial pipeline.

7. Be Honest About AI Use and Do the Thinking Yourself

EJN is crystal clear: do not submit AI generated content as your own. You may use tools to tidy up language, but the reporting ideas, structure, and wording need to be your work.

If you have used any tools to polish the proposal, say so briefly and then let your sharp analysis and originality do the talking.

A Practical Application Timeline (Working Backward From January 6, 2026)

You could technically rush this in a weekend. You would almost certainly regret it. A serious idea needs breathing room.

Here is a realistic schedule:

• By early October 2025
  Start brainstorming and reading. Identify one or two specific governance problems in your country or target region that truly bother you. Check what has already been published so you avoid duplicating work.

• Late October – Mid November 2025
  Choose your strongest idea. Reach out quietly to potential sources to confirm the story is feasible and safe. Sketch your reporting plan: key locations, documents you will need, likely obstacles.

• Mid November – Early December 2025
  Write a first full draft of the proposal in English. Include a clear angle, reporting steps, outlets and timeline. Contact your editor to discuss the idea and request a support letter.

• December 2025
  Refine the proposal. Ask a colleague or friend (ideally someone who is not deep in forest jargon) to read it and tell you what is unclear. Tighten the narrative and verify every factual claim.

• By December 20, 2025
  Finalize your budget, confirm the publication timeline, and get the signed editor letter. Prepare any CV or work samples you want to highlight.

• No later than early January 2026
  Submit at least several days before the January 6 deadline to avoid last minute technical issues with the portal or your internet connection.

Required Materials and How to Prepare Them

EJN’s call does not list every attachment line by line, but from their description and past calls you should be prepared to provide:

• A detailed story proposal
  This is the core document. It should clearly state the story you want to do, why it matters, why it is new, how you will report it, and where it will run. Think of it as a sharp, one to two page feature pitch, not a vague concept note.

• Your CV or professional bio
  Highlight reporting experience, especially on environment, climate, business, governance or human rights. Include links to a few relevant stories.

• Work samples
  Pick 2–4 of your best pieces, ideally investigative or explanatory stories on complex topics. If they are not in English, briefly summarize them in English.

• Letter of support from an editor
  As mentioned, this is mandatory. Make sure it explicitly references the planned story topic and confirms publication by September 2026.

• Basic budget outline
  Even if they do not ask for a line‑item budget at application stage, it is smart to write one for yourself: travel, data purchases, translators, production, etc. If they do ask, you will be ready.

• Disclosure about AI use (if any)
  If the application form includes a question on this, answer transparently and briefly.

What Makes an Application Stand Out to Reviewers

EJN has published their selection criteria, which gives you an unusually clear window into how reviewers will judge you.

Relevance

The proposal must clearly:

• Tie into forest governance in the five countries or their international links.
• Explain why the story matters now, and to whom.

If your pitch could be transplanted to a completely different subject just by replacing “forest” with “ocean” or “healthcare,” it is too generic.

Angle

They will ask:

Has this story already been done? If yes, what is new here?

A strong angle might be:

• Newly available documents or data.
• A community or sector that has been ignored.
• A link between policy and local reality that no one has fully traced.

Reach

They care where your story will appear and who can actually see it. If your outlet has a limited but crucial audience (for example, rural radio in logging zones), explain that clearly. If your outlet is elite and paywalled, explain any plan to also reach broader viewers or listeners.

Impact

Impact is narrative plus relevance. Is your story likely to spark conversation, questions from officials, public debate, or at least informed outrage?

Stories that only summarize reports often fall flat. Proposals that show you will reveal, connect, or explain something hidden or confusing tend to score higher.

Innovative Storytelling

You do not need fancy tech, but creative formats help. Maybe:

• Pairing investigative text with interactive maps.
• Combining a deeply reported feature with a local language radio series.
• Using data visualization to make timber trade routes or concession boundaries visible.

If your skills or outlet support this, mention it.

Timely Publication Plan

Finally, they want stories that will actually appear by September 2026. Your letter of support and your own timeline should convince them that you are not dreaming up a five year documentary.

Common Mistakes That Sink Otherwise Good Ideas

You can have a brilliant subject and still lose out for very predictable reasons. Avoid these traps:

1. Vague, Overly Broad Topics

“Deforestation in Indonesia” is not a pitch. Neither is “the impact of cocoa on forests.”

Narrow your scope: pick specific provinces, companies, laws, or communities. Reviewers need to see that you can actually finish the work with the time and budget available.

2. Repeating Well Worn Narratives

If the issue has been widely covered already, saying the same thing with different quotes is not enough.

Before you pitch, search your topic in English and in local languages. Ask yourself: what is missing from this coverage? If you cannot answer that, keep refining.

3. Underestimating Logistics and Safety

Reporting on illegal logging, mining, or financial crimes is not a weekend hobby. If your story requires visiting high risk zones or confronting powerful actors, at least acknowledge the risks and sketch sensible mitigation (discreet travel, trusted local partners, legal advice where necessary).

An application that pretends everything is easy may look naïve.

4. Weak or Token Editor Support

A letter that sounds like “To whom it may concern, we like this journalist in general” is not ideal. Push for a specific commitment. If your outlet is on the fence, consider lining up an additional or alternative publication partner who is more enthusiastic.

5. Treating AI as a Shortcut Instead of a Tool

If your proposal reads like a generic AI essay, reviewers will notice. They read dozens of pitches. They know what authentic, experience based writing looks like. Do your own thinking, report background properly, and use tools only for small language cleanups if at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to live in one of the five core countries to apply?

No. Journalists from any country can apply. However, there are two main groups EJN is prioritizing:

1. Journalists based in Cameroon, Liberia, Ghana, Vietnam or Indonesia working on the listed topics.
2. Journalists anywhere who report on international forest governance, trade or policies that affect those five countries, with special interest in those in the UK, EU member states, China, India and Japan.

If your story has nothing to do with those five countries, this is not the right grant.

Can I apply as part of a cross border team?

Yes. Teams are welcomed, and for Cameroon and Vietnam, cross border collaborations between journalists inside and outside these countries are explicitly encouraged.

One person must apply as lead applicant, sign agreements, and handle the funds. You can describe other team members roles in the proposal.

What if my story costs more than 1,500 GBP to report?

That is common. You have options:

• Scale the story to what is feasible with 1,500 GBP plus any support from your outlet.
• Use the EJN grant to cover a crucial piece of a larger project for which you also seek other funding.

Just be transparent about what EJN’s money will specifically pay for and what you or your newsroom will cover.

Does my final story have to be in English?

No. The application and communication with EJN must be in English, but the published story can be in any language that suits your audience.

If your story is in a local or national language, you may want to offer an English summary or translation later to maximize international reach, but that is not always mandatory.

Are early career journalists really competitive here?

Yes, as long as you can show professional level work and a realistic plan. A well argued proposal from a three year reporter who knows their beat often beats a sloppy pitch from a veteran who assumes reputation is enough.

If you are relatively new, highlight your local connections, language skills, and previous environment or governance stories, even if they were shorter.

What happens if I do not deliver by September 2026?

This deadline is not decorative. Your editor’s letter and your own plan should aim well before that date. Life happens, but if you miss it without serious reasons, it will damage your credibility with EJN and potentially with other funders.

Can I submit more than one proposal?

The call does not explicitly encourage multiple proposals per person. Realistically, your best strategy is to pour your energy into one strong idea rather than scatter your effort.

How to Apply and What to Do Next

You apply directly through EJN’s online portal. The link is a bit long and technical, but this is the entry point:

Ready to apply? Visit the official opportunity page:
Earth Journalism Network Forest Governance Story Grants 2025 Application

Before you click through and start typing into boxes, do yourself a favor:

1. Draft your proposal offline in a document where you can think clearly, edit, and get feedback.
2. Talk to your editor early, not the day before the deadline. Show them your idea and explain the grant conditions, including publication by September 2026.
3. Sketch a realistic budget and timeline so you do not overpromise.
4. Gather links and PDFs of your best work ahead of time, along with a clean, updated CV.
5. When you are happy with the proposal, move it into the portal, check every field twice, and hit submit well before January 6, 2026.

If your beat lies where trees meet power, money and law, this grant is basically someone saying, “Go ahead. Do the story properly.” Use that invitation well.