In an era of digital complexity, Africa’s information ecosystem faces unprecedented challenges. The surge in social media usage — quadrupling since 2016 — has created a vulnerable landscape demanding urgent media literacy initiatives, particularly among the region’s significant youth population. With the support of expert trainers and each other, young people will better understand AI, disinformation and media literacy, while also having the opportunity to develop compelling and engaging digital projects that increase responsible civic engagement and combat false narratives in the region.
Eligibility
- ICFJ is looking for applicants aged 18-30 years old from civil society, education, the public or private sector, academia and/or any other non-journalism fields.
- Please note: this is not a program for working journalists
- Young people between 18-30 years old from any of the following countries:
- Cote D’Ivoire
- Mali
- Niger
- Burkina Faso
- Central African Republic
- Sierra Leone
- Guinea Conakry
- Togo
- Benin
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Cameroon
Key Objectives
- Skill Development: Train participants in advanced media literacy techniques
- Storytelling Empowerment: Enable collaborative, fact-based digital storytelling
- Civic Engagement: Promote a culture of responsible digital citizenship
Program Structure
Phase 1: Online Training (4 Weeks)
Phase 2: Virtual Project Development Workshop
Phase 3: Grant-Supported Projects
Phase 4: In-Person Colloquium (location TBD)
Support and Mentorship
Each participant will receive:
- One-on-one mentorship
- Consistent coaching
- Problem-solving support
- Skill reinforcement
Deadline: January 15, 2025
Click HERE to Apply