The European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) is inviting applications from interested professional and amateur journalists for its 2017 The Lorenzo Natali Media Prize which seeks to recognise amateur and professional journalists for their outstanding reporting on development and poverty eradication.
The prize launched with the hashtag #TellMyStory, celebrates the best traditions of journalism in reporting powerful and moving stories, giving a voice to those who often find it impossible or difficult to be heard.
It gives journalists the opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to reporting on development and poverty eradication as well as inspiring people to improve lives in their own communities.
The Thematic Areas include: Development and Poverty Eradication – Under this theme, entries must address issues on development and/or poverty eradication in the developing world.
In addition to the main themes, this year’s competition will have an extra special prize focused on reports linked to freedom of religion or belief outside the European Union, which contributes covering inspiring stories and initiatives promoting this freedom as well as respect for religious diversity and inter-religious cooperation.
The Special Prize is sponsored by Ján Figeľ, Special Envoy for the Promotion of Freedom of Religion or belief outside the European Union.
The Lorenzo Natali Media Prize will be awarded to one amateur and one professional journalist from each of the following regions: Africa, the Arab World and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe. Each winner will be awarded €5,000.
One amateur and one professional journalist will also receive the same prize in the special Freedom of Religion or Belief category.
An independent jury will assess the submissions for the main Prize and special category, and also award an additional €5,000 Grand Prize to one of the winners.
All 13 winners will receive their awards at a ceremony during the 2017 European Development Days in Brussels in June 2017.
Professional journalists who want to apply must have a valid press card (national press card, or press card issued by the International Federation of Journalists); journalism must be the main source of income; and must be a member of a journalism trade union.
Applications close on March 20, 2017 and must be submitted online through a given website to be announced soon.
Please visit Lorenzo Natali Media Prize for more information.
