Apply for the EJN Virtual Media Workshops on the 30×30 Target and Marine Protected Areas 2027 - free 3-day training for journalists in Ghana, Mexico & the Philippines.
Applications are officially open for the Earth Journalism Network (EJN) Virtual Media Workshops on the 30×30 Target and Marine Protected Areas 2027. Hosted by Internews’ Earth Journalism Network with support from the Paul M. Angell Foundation and the Bloomberg Ocean Fund, the programme trains journalists to report on the global pledge to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030.
Three country-specific workshops will run on Zoom in February - March 2027: Ghana (week of 15 February, English), Mexico (week of 22 February, Spanish), and the Philippines (week of 1 March, English). About 30 - 40 participants will be selected for each country. Full attendance earns an EJN certificate and special consideration for competitive $1,500 USD story grants (up to 35 awards) to report on government 30×30 commitments between April and September 2027.
As of September 2026, only about 3.5% of the ocean is fully or highly protected. These workshops equip reporters to cover marine protected areas (MPAs), paper-park enforcement gaps, Indigenous leadership, and accountability journalism. Applications close on 2 November 2026 at 11:59 PM (Mexico City time).
Quick Facts - EJN Virtual Media Workshops on 30×30 & MPAs 2027
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Convening Organisation | Earth Journalism Network (EJN) / Internews - Global Accountability on 30×30 |
| Funders | Paul M. Angell Foundation & Bloomberg Ocean Fund |
| Format | Three-day virtual workshop on Zoom (2 - 3 hours per day) |
| Eligible Countries | Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines |
| Landmark Cover | El Nido limestone cliffs & marine waters, Palawan, Philippines 🇵🇭 |
| Workshop Dates | Ghana: week of 15 Feb 2027 · Mexico: week of 22 Feb 2027 · Philippines: week of 1 Mar 2027 |
| Languages | English (Ghana & Philippines) · Spanish (Mexico) |
| Cohort Size | Approximately 30 - 40 journalists per country workshop |
| Story Grants | Up to 35 grants of $1,500 USD each after the workshop |
| Other Benefits | EJN certificate of completion · limited communications stipends for unstable internet · 1-on-1 editorial mentorship for grantees |
| Application Fee | $0 (Free to apply) |
| Application Deadline | 2 November 2026, 11:59 PM (America/Mexico_City) |
| Official Gateway | Official EJN Application Page |
About the 30×30 Target & Why This Training Matters
In 2022, more than 190 countries agreed under Target 3 of the Kunming - Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030. The idea is that if 30% of marine areas are monitored, protected, and left to recover, the rest of the ocean can rebuild resilience. Progress is far behind: as of September 2026, only about 3.5% of the ocean was classified as fully or highly protected. Many designated MPAs are poorly monitored and weakly enforced - often called “paper parks.”
Newsrooms in low- and middle-income countries frequently lack the time, training, or specialist knowledge to report ocean policy well. EJN’s Global Accountability on 30×30 project focuses on three marine biodiversity hotspots - Ghana, Mexico, and the Philippines - so local journalists can hold governments to their pledges.
Workshop Themes
- The 30×30 agenda for marine protection, including national commitments
- How MPAs are designated: regulatory, technological, and political steps
- Current status, management, and future plans for MPAs in each focus country
- Scientific benefits of MPAs and the protection levels needed to deliver them
- Participatory and equitable conservation, including Indigenous peoples and local communities
- Debates on effectiveness, “green colonialism,” and high-seas MPAs
- Technologies: marine spatial planning, satellites, remote sensing, eDNA, and AI
- National and international policy instruments for 30×30
- Accountability, data, and solutions journalism for marine reporting
- Risk-management plans when covering MPAs
- Short-form video and other formats to reach new audiences
Sessions mix presentations and discussion. Speakers include researchers, policymakers, civil-society groups, and local communities, plus journalism trainers who help develop story ideas. 2026 alumni may reapply; 2027 content includes new speakers and updated material, not a repeat of last year.
Benefits
- Free three-day virtual training tailored to your country (Ghana, Mexico, or the Philippines)
- Certificate of completion from EJN for participants who attend all sessions
- Limited communications stipends for journalists with unstable internet in remote areas
- Priority consideration for EJN story grants of $1,500 USD (up to 35 awards)
- Grant uses may include travel, reporter stipends, and multimedia production
- Grantees also receive 1-on-1 editorial mentorship and training to adapt stories for social media
- Grant reporting window: April - September 2027; stories may be published or aired in any language
Eligibility Criteria
- Be based in / applying from Ghana, Mexico, or the Philippines.
- Work as a journalist in any medium (online, print, TV, radio), a journalistic content creator/influencer with an active social-media presence, or another media practitioner with ocean-reporting experience.
- Freelance reporters and staff of community, local, national, or international outlets are welcome.
- Have a working command of English (Ghana and Philippines workshops) or Spanish (Mexico workshop). Applications are accepted in English or Spanish only.
- Women, rural, Indigenous, and early-career journalists are especially encouraged to apply.
- Disclose any use of generative AI to revise proposals. Submitting AI-generated content as original work can lead to disqualification.
Workshop Schedule (2027)
| Country workshop | Planned week | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Ghana | Week of 15 February 2027 | English |
| Mexico | Week of 22 February 2027 | Spanish |
| Philippines | Week of 1 March 2027 | English |
Exact session dates will be announced to selected participants. Notifications are expected in December 2026.
Step-by-Step Application Process
- Open the official page: Visit the EJN 30×30 Virtual Media Workshops listing.
- Create or log in to an EJN account: Use “Sign up” if you are new. If the site was recently updated, reset your password via “Forgot password?”
- Complete the form: You may click “Save Draft” and return later via “Apply now.” Mexican applicants who prefer Spanish should use the Spanish application link on the official page.
- Submit before the deadline: Applications close on 2 November 2026 at 11:59 PM (America/Mexico_City). Late applications are not considered.
- Questions: Email info.ejn@internews.org only. Do not write other Internews addresses about this call.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the application deadline?
Applications close on 2 November 2026 at 11:59 PM, Mexico City time.
Is there an application fee?
No. The workshops are free. A limited number of communications stipends are available for participants with poor internet access.
Who can apply?
Journalists, journalistic content creators, and media practitioners with ocean-reporting experience who are applying from Ghana, Mexico, or the Philippines.
Are the $1,500 grants automatic?
No. Workshop participants who attend all sessions receive special consideration for a competitive pool of up to 35 grants of $1,500 USD each. Grants are selected separately and support reporting from April to September 2027.
I joined the 2026 workshop. Can I apply again?
Yes. 2026 participants are welcome. The 2027 programme includes new speakers and updated content rather than repeating last year’s training.