AYEJ Launches Climate Journalism Training in Six Cities

The Association of Young Environmental Journalists (AYEJ) has launched the Green Beat Caravan, a program aimed at increasing coverage of climate challenges affecting vulnerable communities in the Philippines.

Supported by the Government of Canada through the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives, and in partnership with Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan’s Development Communication Department, the program seeks to empower campus journalists and storytellers to effectively report on climate and environmental issues.

The initiative is open to college students enrolled in communication-related courses from six climate-vulnerable cities: Naga City, Malolos, Bulacan, Cebu City, Baybay City, Leyte, Cagayan de Oro City, and Zamboanga City. These areas, identified as high-risk provinces, are prone to natural hazards such as typhoons, floods, and landslides.

A 2023 analysis by The Cross Dependency Initiative highlighted the increasing frequency and severity of such events, underscoring the urgent need for accurate environmental reporting to build resilience and inform communities.

Program Components

The Green Beat Caravan consists of three key components:

1. The Blitz Workshop: A hybrid capacity-building training program focused on environmental journalism and climate communications.
2. Environmental Journalism Hubs: A sustainability initiative that fosters Communities of Practice (CoP) among participants to encourage collaboration and knowledge sharing.
3. The Close-Out Conference: A year-end event that will showcase program insights and achievements, share best practices, and inspire greater engagement in environmental journalism.

The program officially launched on AYEJ’s social media platforms on December 1, 2024. The first Blitz Workshop will kick off in Cagayan de Oro City, with other cities following monthly. Environmental Journalism Hubs will be established in each city, culminating in the Close-Out Conference in October 2025.

“With Green Beat Caravan, our goal is to equip participants not just with technical skills but also with tools to navigate the unique challenges of environmental journalism,” said Val Amiel Vestil, AYEJ Executive Director.

Applications Open for Zamboanga City

Applications for the program’s next stop in Zamboanga City are now open. Interested applicants can visit bit.ly/AYEJ_GBCbriefer for details and apply through bit.ly/GBC_ZamboangaApplication.

AYEJ is a nonprofit organization focused on ecological literacy through educational capacity-building, knowledge product development, and multimedia content production. It promotes climate awareness using hope-based communications and solutions journalism.

Through partnerships with the Department of Education’s Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Service, Internews, and the U.S. Embassy in the Philippines, AYEJ amplifies stories of resilience and sustainability. The Green Beat Caravan advances this mission by empowering vulnerable communities and fostering climate action for a sustainable future.