IGAD to celebrate climate journalists

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The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) 2025 Media Awards will prioritise climate journalism.

The 2025 awards, which are under the theme: Storytelling for Climate Action: For a Secure, Resilient, and Stable Region, are a prestigious regional initiative that aims to recognise and celebrate outstanding journalism that brings climate change issues in the IGAD region to the forefront of public discourse.

In a press release on May 5, 2025, IGAD Secretariat says: As the Horn of Africa grapples with the growing impacts of climate change—including recurrent droughts, floods, and land degradation—the role of the media has never been more vital.

The 2025 edition of the awards seeks to elevate climate-focused reporting that not only informs but also mobilises communities, influences policy, and fosters resilience across member states.

According to the statement, the IGAD Media Awards form a key component of the organisation’s broader communication strategy and Institutional Strengthening Action Programme (ISAP), reinforcing IGAD’s commitment to transparency, engagement, and the promotion of ethical, impactful journalism.

Award categories include:

▪️Print Journalism

▪️Radio Journalism

▪️Television Journalism

▪️Digital Media

▪️Photography

▪️Indigenous/National Language Reporting

▪️Influencer/Content Creator of the Year

▪️Best Female Journalist on Climate Issues

▪️Lifetime Achievement Award

▪️Upcoming Media Personality of the Year

"Entries will be evaluated based on relevance to climate resilience and adaptation, journalistic accuracy and depth, creativity, reach, and adherence to ethical standards. In addition to receiving certificates and symbolic prizes, winners will benefit from tailored professional development opportunities, including exclusive access to IGAD-led climate briefings, training workshops, and stakeholder forums," the statement reads.

Journalists from IGAD’s eight member states—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, and Uganda—as well as international journalists with a proven portfolio of work on climate issues in the region, are eligible to apply.

"By amplifying compelling climate narratives and fostering stronger collaboration between journalists, policymakers, and scientific experts, the IGAD Media Awards 2025 aim to strengthen public understanding, advance climate solutions, and support the creation of a more informed, proactive, and resilient IGAD region," the statement adds.

The awards ceremony, according to the statement, will take place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with the official date to be announced.

Who qualifies, and how do you apply?

The statement says submissions are open from May 3 to July 31, 2025.
Eligible entries must have been published or broadcast between April 1, 2024, and July 30, 2025.

To apply, submit entries and learn more at: mediaawards.igad.int