“Environment Writers” Association Launches First Local Media Competition to Promote the Small Grants Program The Competition Covers 3 Geographic Zones Across 5 Governorates, with 3 Cash Prizes Allocated per Zone
As part of efforts to strengthen the media’s role in highlighting environmental and development projects, the Environment and Development Writers Association has launched the first-of-its-kind competition for local journalists and media professionals in the governorates covered by Phase Seven of the Small Grants Program (GEF/SGP). The initiative is part of the “Knowledge Management, Communication, and Innovation Promotion” project, implemented by the association with funding from the program.
Dr. Mahmoud Bakr, Chairman of the Environment and Development Writers Association, stated that Phase Seven of the Small Grants Program spans four geographic regions: Greater Cairo, Northern Delta, Southern Upper Egypt, and Fayoum Governorate. The competition specifically targets five governorates—Alexandria, Beheira, Qena, Luxor, and Fayoum—to encourage participation from local journalists and media professionals in these areas.
Bakr invited all journalists and media workers in print, broadcast, and digital outlets within the targeted governorates to take part in this unique opportunity to raise environmental awareness and support sustainable development projects.
The competition’s theme focuses on environmental awareness by spotlighting the role of NGOs in implementing environmental projects under Phase Seven of the Small Grants Program. It also aims to showcase the impact of these projects on ecosystem preservation and improving local livelihoods, while drawing attention to global environmental issues. The competition encourages mobilizing decision-makers in various governorates to adopt and implement appropriate solutions to the issues addressed, or to replicate successful models from funded projects.
Participation requirements include:
Submitted work must have been published in recognized media outlets (newspapers, news websites, or specialized magazines) between January 1 and June 30, 2025.
The content must cover one or more projects implemented by NGOs with funding from the Small Grants Program during Phase Seven.
Entries may include written reports, investigative pieces, video reports, or audio segments.
Multiple submissions are allowed, provided each entry aligns with the competition theme.
All submitted work must be original and not previously entered in other competitions.
Entries will be evaluated based on:
Their contribution to raising environmental awareness across different audiences.
Their ability to unify local community efforts to solve environmental challenges within the program’s focus areas.
Their success in highlighting global environmental issues aligned with the Global Environment Facility’s mission.
Their effectiveness in mobilizing decision-makers to adopt solutions or replicate successful project models.
A total of 9 winners will be selected—3 from each geographic zone. The first prize is EGP 8,000, the second EGP 6,000, and the third EGP 4,000. The submission deadline is July 15, 2025. Entries should be sent to the association’s email: swed.egypt2025@gmail.com, including the applicant’s personal and professional details, a copy of the published work or a link to its publication.
Winners will be honored at a special ceremony organized by the association later this year, in coordination with the Small Grants Program.