Background

Contribution of WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) in the COVID-19 response is primarily by promoting good hygiene and particularly by ensuring frequent and proper hand-washing with soap facilities, which one of the most important measures to prevent. While governments and WASH practitioners are playing their part in enabling and prioritizing the provision of safe water, sanitation, and hygienic conditions for all during the COVID-19 outbreak, there is a need for further awareness building by engaging media journalists to aware people on preventive and curative measures against the coronavirus.

The fellowship will provide an opportunity for young journalists to multifaceted WASH landscape. Targeted towards young media professionals, it will engage journalists to help them gain insight into local WASH issues in urban and rural areas and how people living in these areas are coping with the impacts of COVID-19. Participants in the fellowship will receive hands-on field visits as well as receive
guidance and feedback from experienced and renowned journalists and experts in the sector. The fellowship will be completed once fellows share their experiences gained through news published in print, tv and online news channels – covering reality on ground as well as stories of change.

Who can be a fellow?

  • Young journalists (between the age of 18-35) with proven interest or activism in WASH issues locally and nationally.
  • Minimum 2 and max 5 years of experience required.
  • Experience having published news on social/development issues (a minimum of 5 articles published previously; links to be provided with application form).
  • Stronghold and fluent in either one of the languages: English or Bangla.
  • Able to commit to 4 months of engagement with WaterAid (November 2020-February 2021).
  • Have approval from the respective organisation’s Editor or Head of News (needs to be provided to WaterAid in writing on company letterhead along with application form).

Application, selection and engagement details

  • An online application form will need to be filled to take part in the fellowship; the form available here.
  • Applications must be submitted by 5.00pm on 29 November 2020.
  • Applicants must attach with the application form links to previously published 3 articles on social/development issues.
  • Applicants must attach with the application form an approval letter from Editor or Head of News stating consent to participate in the fellowship.
  • Once selected, all fellows must participate in a half day workshop as part of the fellowship.
  • Failure to take part in the workshop will automatically disregard them from the fellowship.
  • Fellows must take part in a two day field visit in an urban/rural location where WaterAid is currently working (location details will be confirmed after the workshop). All expenses related to the visit will be borne by WaterAid.
  • All fellows will be required to submit three reports after the workshop and field visit in consultation with WaterAid. Failure to submit less than three reports will disqualify participants from the programme and no fellowship reward will be awarded.

For further details/queries regarding the Young WASH Media Fellowship Programme, please contact us at [email protected] on or before 29 November 2020.