The Fellowship is designed to provide a platform for African journalists and content creators to enhance their capacity to reframe the African narrative and to ensure that stories about the continent are balanced and true to the experiences of its people.
The AU Agenda 2063 strategic pillars recognize that media, communication and ICT sectors must be seen as holistic and inclusive, ensuring access for all members of society to technology and the knowledge economy. This is also in line with the AU Digital Transformation Strategy 2020-2030.
The objectives of the AU Media Fellowship is to:
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Train and build the capacity of journalists and/or content creators, to leverage creativity and innovation within the continent;
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Build capacity around innovative and transformative tools in journalism and media; and
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Create a platform for journalists to network and share best practices on the future of journalism
The Fellowship programme will kick-off with a study tour and capacity building workshops. The 20 selected fellows will benefit from direct access to various African Union leadership, and have the opportunity for on-the-ground reporting on the AU’s work around the Agenda 2063 strategic aspirations.
Fellowship Programme:
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The Fellowship is 12 months in duration and will begin in June 2022 with an international study trip to Germany to the “Global Media Forum”.
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The Fellows confirm with their application that they are available for an international study trip to Germany between June 15 – July 1 2022.
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Applicants must be able to devote time to the project if awarded a Fellowship.
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Fellows must be available for all training sessions indicated and must be able to work on assignments in between training blocks.
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The Fellows confirm availability for a 1-week training block in December 2022
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The Fellows confirm availability for a 1-week training block in April 2023.
June 2022 in-person training
Fellows meet in Germany, for a 2 week-long intensive media and advocacy camp.
June – September – Online Trainings and Networking
Fellows complete remote work with a mentor. Fellows and mentors focus on the Fellow’s outputs goals, and working towards tangible advocacy and policy objectives.
October 2022
Fellows meet in-person or virtually for an intensive training and to present the results of the work period June – September.
October – December 2022
Remote work continues as Fellows receive support to write, pitch, and publish, complete media appearances, advocate for their work and broader policy change, and share their stories with targeted audiences.
December 2022
Fellows meet in Addis Abeba to be introduced to the AU and to present the outcomes of the trainings.
January 2023 – April 2023
Fellows receive continued support from their mentor until the next class is announced.
April 2023 – Final Event and Certificates of Recognition
A closing event in Addis Abeba will formally close the fellowship. Fellows graduate to become Senior Fellows and become mentors for the next cohort of AU Media Fellows.
Application Process
Call for applications deadline 30 April, 2022.
Email here: Agenda2063@africa-union.org and aumediafellowship@gmail.com
Applications are shortlisted in house then put to a jury panel who selects the winning applications. The Fellows are announced in May 2022
What Do Fellows Receive?
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International Study Trips and exposure
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Certified workshops and webinars with renowned international partners such as Deutsche Welle, BBC Media Action, Hass-Plattner-Institute, the AU, and international media houses
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Access to AU leadership and policy makers and network with other Fellows
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Support from Senior Mentors and Institutions
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Fellows awarded grants to enable them to produce detailed stories
Who Are We Looking For?
The AU Media Fellows are experienced journalists or communication experts ready to take the next leap in their career reporting from and for Africa. We seek journalists with a strong track record of publications who offer new perspectives on African debates. Fellowships are open to journalists in any medium. Fellows with a proven focus on innovation are strongly encouraged to apply.
The AU Media Fellowship is for you if you want to work on the following:
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Disrupt and challenge harmful and stereotypical narratives and shaping new narratives about and within the continent.
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Using innovative tools and analysis to highlight transformations taking place within the continent.
Our Aspirations for the Africa We Want | African Union
