Qadisha Valley in Lebanon is worth protecting, via Antonellaka Instagram
Lebanon’s environmental crisis is not abstract. It is shaped by war, neglect, corruption, and silence. Rivers carry untreated sewage and industrial waste into the Mediterranean. Dynamite fishing shatters fragile marine ecosystems along the coast. In many areas, Hezbollah’s military presence and decades of instability have made environmental accountability nearly impossible. What flows into the sea is not only pollution — it is politics, poverty, and unresolved war.
And yet, these stories are rarely told with depth, care, or courage. Silat Wassel’s Environmental Justice Journalism Fellowship is opening space for exactly that. They are looking for a few brave souls.
Rooted in South Lebanon and guided by feminist, youth-led, and independent journalism values, the Rooted Voices Rising initiative invites young journalists to document the environmental injustices shaping daily life — from contaminated water and illegal dumping to land exploitation, unsafe construction, and the invisible costs of conflict.
This is not a workshop for press releases and sound bytes but a five-day Environmental Justice Journalism Lab designed to equip six selected journalists with tools, mentorship, and editorial backing to produce two publishable investigations each. This will set the stage for helping more people become honest, environmental reporters.
Participants will explore environmental justice frameworks, solutions journalism, digital safety, and advanced storytelling methods — while remaining grounded in ethical reporting and lived community realities.
The fellowship is open to journalists across Lebanon, with priority for:
– Conflict-affected and underrepresented regions
– Women and rural youth
– Displaced individuals
– Marginalized communities
In a country where environmental damage is often normalized as collateral damage of politics, this fellowship insists that land, water, and life still matter.
The deadline to apply is 24 January 2026. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Training details will be shared with selected fellows.
