The 2024 Bertha Challenge invites investigative journalists and activists working towards effectively exposing and counteracting the combined effect of disinformation and corruption on the climate crisis to apply for this unique Fellowship.
This Fellowship seeks to expose and explore who is responsible for the spread of unquantifiable amounts of climate disinformation and expose how that disinformation is used in the interests of corporations and politicians with an agenda tied to corporate profit.
Bertha Foundation is excited to announce the launch of the fifth Bertha Challenge: an opportunity for activists and investigative journalists to spend a year working on one pressing social justice challenge and to deliver a body of work at the end of the Fellowship year. Successful applicants will receive non-residential paid Fellowships and project budgets to work independently and together to investigate the causes and solutions to the annual Bertha challenge question, amplify their findings to a wider targeted audience and connect with diverse stakeholders for the information, support, and sustainable impact.
The Bertha Challenge recognizes that investigative journalists and activists have distinct roles. This Fellowship will offer the opportunity to engage with the complexity of the Bertha Challenge question while strengthening relationships through shared work. Bertha Challenge Fellows will be expected to explore new ways of working collaboratively and outside their traditional silos while maintaining their integrity and autonomy.
Investigating and amplifying stories that expose injustice is increasingly achieved by work that cuts across organizations and professions. The scale and complexity of significant investigative stories are often too intricate for one investigative journalist or activist, or even one newsroom or social justice movement, to handle alone. The Bertha Challenge provides space for a cohort of mid-career leaders in their fields to develop professionally while creating compelling work on the subject matter. It also aims to fuel debate and solidify networks beyond the one-year project cycle.
Benefits
- Income for each Bertha Fellow for one year, not exceeding USD $64,900 and commensurate with the applicant’s current or equivalent salary at the host organization – ideally a media outlet for an investigative journalist and an NGO, community organization, or social movement for an activist.
- A Project Fund of up to USD $10,000 for each Bertha Fellow to produce a culminating product that responds to the question posed by the Bertha Challenge and that is directed toward a specific audience. This could be a series of articles, videos, podcasts, games, or drama productions. Joint activist and journalist applicants can pool their project funding to produce projects on a larger scale.
- Access to a Connect Fund of up to USD $5,000 specifically designed to encourage collaboration between Fellows.
- Regular online discussions with topics on a range of issues from current debates around the Bertha Challenge question to methods of investigation, ways of communicating findings through news media, storytelling, popular education, and more.
- Peer and mentor support in the form of regular virtual check-ins with Bertha staff and a cohort of Bertha Fellows.
- Network development through the global cohort of Bertha Fellows and exposure to relevant partners within and beyond the Bertha network.
- A global convening of Bertha Fellows at the start of the Bertha Challenge.
Eligibilities
For activists:
- At least five years’ experience working with activists, social movements, grassroots, community organizations, social justice organizations, or campaigns.
- Strong connections to relevant groups in the Fellow’s city, country, or region, including social movements, community organizations, NGOs, academics, journalists, progressive government officials, etc.
- Experience developing organizing tools or popular educational products and materials, for example, training courses, publications, pamphlets, films, podcasts, arts, theater productions, etc.
- Experience using research, media, and the law in advocacy.
- Affiliation to an appropriate host organization to amplify work produced during the Bertha Challenge.
For investigative journalists:
- Mid-career journalists with at least five years’ experience, a track record, and a passion for doing investigative journalism.
- Strong interest and experience in producing work on the Bertha Challenge question and a proven ability to work with affected communities, social movements, community organizations, NGOs, academics, scientists, etc.
- Investigative journalism and research ability, a comprehensive understanding of the political landscape concerning the subject matter, and an understanding of the law(s) and political structures determining policy direction and power.
- An ability to work independently.
- Affiliation to an appropriate host media organization that will publish/broadcast work produced during the Bertha Challenge.
Application Process
All applicants must submit the following:
- A completed online application form.
- A brief resume/CV in English of no more than three pages.
- A list of 2-4 referees including name, relationship to the applicant, and contact details.
- A signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) from your prospective host organization – including commensurate salary and any benefits provided.
- Examples of previous work.
Application Deadline: July 4, 2023
Application ClosedOfficial link
