The UNCCD COP17 Land and Drought Media Reporting Fellowship 2026 is a prestigious opportunity for professional journalists to report on one of the most critical yet underreported global challenges, land degradation and drought. Organized by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in partnership with the International Drought Resilience Alliance, the fellowship will take place in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia during COP17 (17–28 August 2026). It aims to empower journalists to tell impactful stories on food security, water scarcity, and global resilience.
About the Program
· Host
Organization: United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification & International
Drought Resilience Alliance
· Location:
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
· Duration:
21–28 August 2026 (Fellowship period during COP17)
· Program
Dates: 17–28 August 2026 (COP17 Conference)
· Financial
Coverage: Fully Funded
· Deadline:
15 April 2026 (23:59 GMT)
Financial Benefits
· Return
economy-class airfare to Mongolia
· Accommodation
during the fellowship period
· Access
to COP17 (media accreditation included)
· Pre-COP
virtual briefings with UNCCD experts
· Field
visit in Mongolia with community engagement opportunities
Additional Benefits
· Direct
access to global experts, policymakers, and scientists
· International
exposure and portfolio development
· Networking
with journalists from different regions and languages
· Hands-on
reporting experience at a major UN conference
· Opportunity
to cover real-world solutions on land restoration and drought resilience
Eligibility Criteria
· Nationality:
Open to journalists worldwide, especially from countries affected by
desertification and drought
· Age
Limit: Not specified
· Academic/Professional
Background:
o Professional
journalists (staff or freelance)
o Affiliated
with a recognized media outlet
- Interest
Required:
o Strong
interest in environment, climate, agriculture, development, or related
fields
o Focus
on the intersection of environmental and socio-economic issues
- Language
Requirement:
o Strong
command of English
Fellowship Requirements
· Participate
in pre-COP expert briefings (May–June 2026)
· Attend
and report from COP17 in Mongolia
· Produce
at least three stories:
o One
before COP17
o One
during COP17
o One
after COP17
· Maintain
editorial independence and journalistic integrity
· At
least one story should focus on solutions for drought resilience or land
restoration
Application Requirements
· Three
published work samples
· Letter
from editor confirming intent to publish
· Story
proposal (three ideas, including one pre-COP story)
· Media
outlet reach and audience details
· CV
or resume
How to Apply
- Prepare
all required documents
- Submit
your application via email
- Send
to: press@unccd.int
- Use
subject line: “COP17 Media Fellowship Application”
- No
application fee required
