Africa No Filter (ANF), in partnership with Comic Relief, has launched the Voices for Climate Justice Initiative 2026, a unique 12-month storytelling programme designed to amplify African voices on climate justice, debt, gender, and fossil fuels. The initiative seeks to support journalists, content creators, podcasters, vloggers, muralists, and data visualizers who are passionate about reshaping public conversations around climate issues affecting African communities.
Selected participants will receive specialized training, mentorship, content amplification opportunities, and grants of up to US$4,000 to create impactful stories that challenge stereotypes, influence public discourse, and inspire action across the continent.
About the Voices for Climate Justice Initiative
Climate change continues to disproportionately affect Africa despite the continent contributing the least to global greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, many African countries are receiving climate finance in the form of loans rather than grants, increasing debt burdens and limiting resources available for healthcare, climate adaptation, and social development.
Through the Voices for Climate Justice Initiative, Africa No Filter aims to empower storytellers to explore and communicate the complex relationships between climate change, debt, gender inequality, and fossil fuel dependency. The programme encourages creative storytelling approaches that make these issues accessible and relevant to diverse audiences across Africa.
Participants will work closely with researchers, experts, and partners to ensure their stories are accurate, evidence-based, and engaging while remaining grounded in African realities and lived experiences.
What Selected Storytellers Will Receive
The initiative provides a comprehensive package of support to help storytellers develop and distribute compelling climate justice narratives.
Benefits include:
- Grants of up to US$4,000
- A 12-month capacity-building programme
- Professional mentorship from industry experts
- Training in climate justice and environmental storytelling
- Data storytelling and narrative framing workshops
- Content amplification opportunities
- Collaboration with researchers and partner organizations
- Access to a network of fellow African storytellers and creators
The programme will support approximately 15 to 20 storytellers from eligible African countries.
Who Can Apply?
Africa No Filter is seeking applications from storytellers aged 18 years and above who are actively creating content and engaging audiences within their communities.
Eligible applicants include:
- Journalists
- Content creators
- Podcasters
- Vloggers
- Muralists
- Data visualizers
Applicants must be based in one of the following countries:
- Mozambique
- Uganda
- Nigeria
- Angola
- Chad
- Republic of Congo
- Tanzania
- South Sudan
- Malawi
- Zambia
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the programme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be at least 18 years old
- Be based in one of the eligible countries
- Operate an active and engaged platform that has been running for more than one year
- Demonstrate audience engagement through social media platforms, publications, podcasts, YouTube channels, or data visualization portfolios
- Commit to producing at least four pieces of content related to gender, debt, and fossil fuels over a period of no less than six months
- Content creators and data visualizers must have a combined audience of at least 5,000 followers across platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, X (Twitter), and Snapchat
- Journalists may demonstrate audience reach through publication circulation and readership metrics
- Content creators must be independent and not represented by an agent
- Proposed projects must focus on climate justice, gender, debt, and fossil fuels in Africa
- Applications must be submitted by individuals rather than organizations
- Applicants should demonstrate commitment to ethical and survivor-centered storytelling principles
What Kind of Story Ideas Are Being Sought?
Africa No Filter is interested in innovative storytelling concepts that help audiences better understand the interconnected impacts of climate change, debt, gender inequality, and fossil fuel dependence.
Stories may be presented through:
- Video content
- Podcasts
- Written journalism
- Murals and visual art
- Data visualizations
- Digital storytelling projects
- Multimedia campaigns
Successful proposals will present original perspectives, challenge harmful stereotypes about Africa, and encourage meaningful public engagement on climate justice issues.
Ineligible Applications
The programme will not consider:
- Incomplete applications
- Applications submitted via email or post
- Content containing racist, sexist, homophobic, or discriminatory material
- Narratives that reinforce harmful stereotypes about Africa and Africans
- Applications relying on artificially boosted engagement through paid audience growth strategies
- Organizational or agency submissions
Application Process
Applicants must complete two key steps:
Step 1: Prepare either:
- A pitch deck of no more than five slides, or
- A video presentation of no more than 60 seconds
The submission should clearly explain the proposed storytelling concept and how it addresses the themes of gender, debt, fossil fuels, and climate justice in Africa.
Step 2: Submit an online application including:
- Links to relevant platforms and channels
- Audience or community description
- Supporting information demonstrating engagement and reach
All submissions must be provided in English or French.
Selection Process and Timeline
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through the Africa No Filter application portal.
Key dates include:
- Applications Open: 11 August 2026
- Application Deadline: 25 September 2026 at 6:00 PM GMT
- Applicant Screening: 5 October 2026
- Virtual Interviews: 9 October 2026
- Outcome Notifications: 6 October 2026
- Grantee Announcement: 15 October 2026
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited for virtual interviews and contacted regarding the outcome of their application.
Empowering African Narratives on Climate Justice
The Voices for Climate Justice Initiative presents a valuable opportunity for African storytellers to influence how climate finance, debt, gender inequality, and environmental justice are understood across the continent. Through funding, mentorship, and strategic support, Africa No Filter seeks to amplify authentic African perspectives that challenge stereotypes and promote informed dialogue about one of the most pressing issues of our time.
