Journalists / media (print, online, television, radio, news agencies, etc.) are invited to apply for a fellowship opportunity to attend the Global Summit on Community Philanthropy in Johannesburg, South Africa, 1 - 2 December 2016. The deadline to apply is  31 October 2016.

The Summit will be the first of its kind, bringing together a range of actors in the philanthropy and development space from around the world interested in supporting development approaches that shift power to local communities and local institutions. Community philanthropy taps into the drive of local people to help each other, a naturally occurring asset found in all societies and cultures. Community philanthropy organizations – such as community foundations, women’s funds, environmental funds, social justice funds – raise and give local money and other assets, and by doing so, they involve local people in development processes and decisions in new ways, making them “co-investors” rather than passive “beneficiaries”.

Expectations

Media Fellows will cover the Global Summit for Community Philanthropy for their home media organizations and help to produce communications for the Summit’s web platform, designed to capture and amplify highlights from the event itself and to engage a variety of audiences. Journalists will have the opportunity to connect with civil society leaders from around the world, exchange experiences and knowledge with their media colleagues, and gain a better understanding of the issues, challenges, and successes of today’s civil society.

As part of the media fellowship, participants will be expected to:

• Ahead of the event, participate in planning process in order to identify story ideas and interviewees. 
• Produce at least 1 short piece to be used in the lead up to the Summit. 
• During the Summit, cover the event for their home media, and produce reports that will be published/ broadcast. 
• During the Summit, produce daily reports to be used by the Summit media team as part of conference coverage, to be disseminated through the Summit website, social media, and other communications channels.

Highlights for media

• The first meeting of its kind that places emphasis on the rapidly emerging field of community – or participatory – philanthropy, bringing together community philanthropy organizations from all over the world (from China, Brazil, the United States, Canada, Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, India, Vietnam and Italy, to name but a few).
• Speakers will include Ambassador James Joseph (former U.S. Ambassador to South Africa), Sean Lowrie (Coordinator of the START Network), Bongi Mkhabela (CEO of the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and the Nelson Mandela Children’s hospital – which will celebrate its official launch the same week).
• The launch of the Chair in African Philanthropy at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, the first academic chair of its kind on the continent.
• The Olga Alexeeva Prize for Emerging Markets Philanthropy will be awarded at the Summit and all seven finalists will be in attendance (from South Africa, Singapore, Brazil and Mexico)
• In addition to plenary sessions, and smaller break-out groups, the Summit will also feature an interactive “poster” session and cartoonist. 

Media Accreditation Criteria

Media Validation Requirements:

• Recognised Media or Press Card.
• Letter of assignment on official letterhead from the Editor or Bureau Chief. 
• Independent broadcast or film production companies must provide a letter from a broadcast organization or film distributor which has committed to air or distribute the work.
• Freelance journalists, including photographers, must provide documentation that they are on assignment from a specific news organization or publication. A valid assignment letter from that news organization, or publication, is required.

Print / Online Media

Only one journalist/reporter or editor per relevant printed publication can be accredited. 

TV, Radio and Production Houses

Accreditations are limited to essential personnel – TV Crew, Presenters, Production Managers, and technical staff etc., and are approved at the discretion of the GFCF.

Fellowships include

Media Fellowship recipients are eligible for up to the following:

• Round trip flight / transport from city of residence to Johannesburg, South Africa. 
• Accommodation for 3 nights (30 November, 1 and 2 December).  
• Waived registration (valued at US $250).

All other expenses will be to the cost of the media fellow. The Global Fund for Community Foundations will provide necessary documentation for the visa, but fellows must organize their own entry documentation. 

How to apply

Please complete the application form by 31 October 2016, and send the accompanying Letter of Assignment to Adam Lang at the GFCF ([email protected]). Any queries should also be sent to Adam.