The Africa outreach programme of the Pulitzer Center has announced the 2026 call for applications for its Africa Climate and Environment (ACE) Microgrants, a funding initiative supporting grassroots movements across Africa that use journalism to advance environmental awareness, transparency, and governance. This programme is designed to strengthen the connection between investigative journalism and community action, enabling local actors to transform reporting into meaningful public engagement and advocacy. Programme Overview The ACE Microgrants support innovative outreach projects that integrate one or more investigative stories produced with the support of the Pulitzer Center. The goal is to ensure that journalism does not remain only at the level of reporting, but actively contributes to public dialogue and civic participation on environmental and governance challenges. Projects are expected to encourage communities—especially young professionals and local stakeholders—to engage directly with issues affecting their environments, livelihoods, and rights. Thematic Focus Applicants are encouraged to design projects addressing critical issues at the intersection of environment, governance, and society, including: Government management of natural resources Harmful industrial and corporate environmental practices Corruption and conflicts of interest in environmental governance Impacts on biodiversity and ecosystems Rights and well-being of Indigenous communities Human rights implications of environmental degradation Climate change and environmental justice A strong emphasis is placed on transparency, accountability, and civic participation in environmental decision-making. Eligible Applicants The ACE Microgrants are open to African-based local movements and organisations, including: Civil society organisations (CSOs) Community associations and grassroots groups Media organisations and journalism collectives Social enterprises Think tanks and research-oriented groups Applicants should demonstrate strong community engagement capacity and the ability to design participatory initiatives that connect journalism with real-world impact. Types of Supported Activities The programme supports a wide range of outreach and engagement activities, including: Public conferences and community forums Exhibitions and storytelling events Awareness campaigns and advocacy initiatives Participatory workshops and dialogues Media-driven public engagement projects These activities should be designed to stimulate dialogue between communities, government representatives, civil society actors, private sector stakeholders, and researchers. Programme Objectives The ACE Microgrants aim to achieve several interconnected outcomes: Strengthen public understanding of environmental governance issues Encourage civic participation in climate and environmental decision-making Amplify community voices in discussions on natural resource management Promote accountability and transparency in environmental policies Foster collaboration between journalism, civil society, and local communities By linking investigative journalism with community action, the programme helps transform information into engagement and awareness into impact. Language and Accessibility Applications for the ACE Microgrants are accepted in both English and French, ensuring accessibility across diverse linguistic regions in Africa. Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the official guidelines to ensure eligibility and alignment with programme expectations. Selection Criteria While full details are provided in the official call documentation, proposals will generally be assessed based on: Clear integration of Pulitzer Center-supported journalism Strength and relevance of the proposed outreach activities Potential for meaningful community engagement Alignment with environmental and governance priorities Innovation in connecting storytelling with civic action Feasibility and sustainability of implementation Projects that demonstrate strong participation from local communities and clear pathways for impact are particularly encouraged. Application Deadline The deadline for submission of applications is: 30 April 2026 Late submissions will not be considered, and applicants are advised to review all requirements in advance to ensure completeness. Why This Opportunity Matters Environmental challenges across Africa—ranging from deforestation and biodiversity loss to resource exploitation and climate vulnerability—are closely linked to governance systems and accountability structures. The ACE Microgrants, supported by the Pulitzer Center, address these challenges by empowering local actors to use investigative journalism as a catalyst for community dialogue and action. This approach helps to: Strengthen environmental awareness at the grassroots level Increase transparency in resource governance Support community-led advocacy and storytelling Bridge the gap between journalism and civic participation Final Note The ACE Microgrants represent an opportunity for African local movements to turn journalism into action. By supporting creative, community-based outreach initiatives, the programme ensures that investigative reporting contributes directly to environmental awareness, accountability, and change. With the application deadline set for 30 April 2026, eligible organisations are encouraged to develop innovative proposals that connect storytelling with meaningful local impact and civic engagement. LEARN MORE HERE For more opportunities such as these please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.