Call for proposals - First crowdsourced journalism awards for Africa

Date Posted : Friday, 17 Aug 2012

The Big Picture Digital Journalism Project – an innovative new project conceptualized by Internews Europe (www.internews.eu) and funded by the International Press Institute (www.ipinewscontest.org) through its Innovative News Contest award - is launching Africa’s first crowdsourced journalism awards.  These ‘Big Picture Awards’ will serve to strengthen African journalist’s capacities in the use of crowdsourced journalism tools and techniques by supporting the development of the most innovative crowdsourced journalism project ideas from Africa.

The awards consist of a 15,000 Euro grant, which will be shared out among the top three crowdsourced journalism project ideas from Africa;  technical advice on project startup and one-on-one mentoring on project development for the top three concepts.

How to apply

Apply online by submitting a brief summary (not more than 2 pages long) of your crowdsourced journalism concept proposal structured as follows;

1. Title
2. Objective (include where and when the project will be implemented)
3. Which crowdsourcing tool(s) will be used / developed
4. Who are the beneficiaries
5. What are the planned activities
6. What are the expected results 
7. What resources are needed

All entries should be submitted through the Big Picture Digital Project website (http://bigpicturejournalism.org/home).  The deadline for submission of entries is close of business on August 21, 2012.

Project concepts which emphasis on partnerships between journalists and technologists; enhance audience engagement; and maximize on the widespread use of mobile phones in Africa, are encouraged.  All entries should incorporate the use of crowdsourced tools or techniques for journalism.

Who can apply

The awards are open to anyone with an innovative idea for a crowdsourced journalism project.  However, preference will be given to entrants from the projects target countries i.e. Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

The Judging Process

Winning projects will be selected by a panel of highly esteemed, international journalists and technologists including Ethan Zuckerman – Director of MIT’s Center of Civic Media and Jeff Howe - professor of journalism at Northeastern University and author of the book Crowdsourcing: Why the Power of the Crowd is Driving the Future of Business.

Notification Process

Announcements on the winning concepts will be made on or before September 10th.   An awards ceremony will be held in Nairobi, Kenya on 30th September to promote the winning crowdsourced journalism concept ideas.  

About The Big Picture Digital Journalism Project

The Big Picture Digital Journalism Project is an innovative new project conceptualized by Internews Europe (www.internews.eu) and funded by the International Press Institute (www.ipinewscontest.org) through its Innovative News Contest award. The project goal is to strengthen African journalists’ capacities through training in the use of crowdsourced journalism techniques which aim to leverage citizen participation and increase the representation of local voices and perspectives through both traditional and new media channels.

About Internews Europe

Internews Europe is a European non-profit organisation established in 1995 to help developing countries establish and strengthen independent media organisations in order to promote freedom of expression and freedom of access to information (www.internews.eu).

About The International Press Institute

The International Press Institute is a global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists dedicated to safeguarding press freedom, protecting freedom of expression, freedom of information and the improvement of the journalism practice (www.freemedia.org).   IPI runs a media innovation contest dubbed the IPI News Innovation Contest (www.ipinewscontest.org). 

Apply online

Go to http://bigpicturejournalism.org/ to apply online