Environmental reporting grant
This grant opportunity aims to increase news coverage of environmental issues and spark new conversations about renewables and/or community-based actions. The purpose of the project is to counter misinformation and bias in some news media, educate audiences and use relatable examples of impact to inspire action in your community.
Background
The intention is to encourage positive action outcomes through discussion and engagement in trusted local news sources. In short:
- increase environmental reporting and information about local issues/ actions >>> leading to
- new/increased conversations among your readers >>>> leading to
- positive engagement and actions within your community.
What can you apply for?
LINA members are invited to apply for a grant of $2,000-$10,000 to undertake journalism projects that are solutions-oriented (constructive journalism) which may take the form of a short-series, an investigative feature, a multimedia production and/or the basis for audience engagement on a topic of environmental mitigation actions. It could be an event, a temperature check of views through vox pops, a down-the-rabbit-hole look at a particular issue in your area – we’re open to creative or very standard ideas, whatever gets conversation going in your area.
We are expecting the average project to be around $5,000. The total amount available for distribution is $150,000.
Requirements
You must be a LINA member to be eligible for this grant opportunity.
You are encouraged to get started right away and publish as soon as your schedule permits. All projects must be completed and published by 28th February 2026.
If your grant application is successful, you will be required to provide:
- A link to the published story/piece/work,
- Information on any engagement from decision-makers (eg. Council discussion, story shared by someone influential, etc.),
- Audience figures on the number of times the work has been viewed/shared on social media and/or by other media outlets,
- Information about any new partnerships or relationships that have formed between your organisation and others as a result of this work (eg. new contact).
Want to know about other grants available to Australian newsrooms and publishers?
The fine print and recap
- GST is not applicable to this grant
- You can apply for up to $10,000.
- LINA will allocate funds on a first-come, first-served basis until all funds are expended.
- Members may apply for more than one project, however LINA reserves the right to withhold approval with a view to sharing funds across the membership as fairly as possible, at our discretion.
- If your project is approved, you will need to provide a post-project report including information on audience and community engagement with your work. This report will be required no later than 30th March 2026. The best way to track this is via an Impact Tracker. Find out more and book in a time with Zahra to set one up.
- Projects must be completed by 28th February 2026 and reported back to LINA by 30th March 2026 at the latest. That said, the sooner you publish, the sooner you will make impact.
Thinking about applying for a LINA Environmental Reporting Grant, but stuck for where to start?
The Talking Renewables to the Regions report from Essential media can help!
It includes:
- Key insights into how communities feel about energy transition.
- Nuanced issues by region
- Who to connect with in your community.
- Messaging – What works and what doesn’t.
