DEADLINE: EJN Media Grants to Support Coverage of Countries’ Progress Toward the 30x30 Marine Conservation Target 2026

In December 2022, more than 190 countries committed to achieve ‘30x30’ under target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework. This target calls for the effective protection and management of 30% of the world’s terrestrial, inland water, and coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, by the year 2030.

Creating marine protected areas (MPAs) and other area-based conservation measures (OECMs) with strong rules and enforcement are among the most effective ways to conserve marine biodiversity.

Yet summits since 2022 have made it clear the world is not on track to meet this target. In fact, so far countries have only fully or highly protected 2.9% of our oceans, far from 30%.

News organizations and journalists, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, often lack the resources, knowledge, or capacity to report relevant and high-quality ocean-related information. Many journalists themselves may not be familiar with ocean issues, 30x30 or MPAs.

To fill this gap, Internews' Earth Journalism Network (EJN) is offering media grants to newsrooms and media organizations in coastal countries. Applications from Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines will be prioritized. These grants will support in-depth reporting projects and training of journalists, with the aim to increase the quality and quantity of coverage about progress toward the 30x30 target and the challenges and solutions to reaching this goal.

Deadline: Nov 24, 2025 extended to Dec 1

More information.