India–Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme
India–Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme c.kyllmann Tue, 20 Jan 2026 - 15:53 Deadline to apply: 27 January, 23.59 CET Berlin Journalists based in India and Germany Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the consequences of climate change, India and Germany are strengthening their climate partnership by focusing on green technology, skilled workers, and critical minerals. In January 2026, German chancellor Merz visited India to strengthen cooperation between the two countries. Clean Energy Wire and The Migration Story, in collaboration with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, invite journalists based in India and Germany to join our climate and energy journalism programme. Fourteen journalists, seven each from India and Germany, will receive online training and insights into Indian-German climate policy and partnerships, as well as the opportunity to receive a cross-border reporting grant to report for their own media in collaboration with someone from the other country. Grant Participants in the programme will learn about: Green technologies and industrial policy Energy shifts and gender dimensions Green skills, labour migration and workforce needs Trade and EU–India policy links, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) All training sessions will be held online at the end of February and will be accessible exclusively to the cohort. After completing the programme, the journalists will get the chance to collaborate across borders and report on a story with a cohort partner and receive a grant of €1400. Please read the FAQs carefully and make sure to apply by 22 January. Frequently Asked Questions Who is eligible for this
India and Germany are deepening their climate partnership by launching the India-Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme. Amid rising geopolitical tensions and the pressing consequences of climate change, both nations are focusing on green technology, skilled workers, and critical minerals to strengthen their cooperation. This initiative comes after a recent visit by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to India in January 2026, aimed at bolstering collaboration between the two countries.
The programme, organized by Clean Energy Wire and The Migration Story in partnership with the Heinrich Böll Foundation, invites journalists based in India and Germany to participate in a comprehensive training and reporting initiative. The goal is to foster cross-border journalism that highlights the complexities and opportunities of the evolving India-Germany climate partnership.
Fourteen journalists will be selected for this programme, with seven each from India and Germany. Participants will receive online training sessions at the end of February, covering key topics such as green technologies and industrial policy, energy shifts and gender dimensions, green skills and workforce needs, and trade and EU-India policy links, including the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). These sessions will provide journalists with a deep understanding of the Indian-German climate policy landscape and the partnerships driving it.
A highlight of the programme is the opportunity for participants to collaborate on cross-border reporting projects with a partner from the other country. After completing the training, journalists will have the chance to work together on a story and receive a grant of €1,400 to support their reporting. This initiative encourages the exchange of perspectives and fosters a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by both nations in their climate and energy transitions.
Eligibility for the programme is open to journalists based in India or Germany with at least five years of professional experience in journalism. Applicants must submit two recent work examples published in independent media, ideally with a connection to climate topics, migration, gender, or trade. The deadline to apply is 27 January 2026, at 23:59 CET.
The India-Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme is a significant step towards strengthening media collaboration between the two nations. By providing journalists with the tools and knowledge to report on the complexities of the climate transition and the evolving India-Germany partnership, the programme aims to enhance public understanding and foster greater cooperation in the fight against climate change.
In the context of growing geopolitical tensions, this initiative underscores the importance of climate partnerships and the role of journalism in shaping a more informed and engaged global audience. As India and Germany work together to address climate challenges, the India-Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme offers a unique platform for journalists to contribute to the discourse and drive meaningful change through their reporting.
The programme's focus on cross-border collaboration and the inclusion of diverse topics such as gender, migration, and trade reflects the multifaceted nature of the climate transition. By encouraging journalists to explore these interconnected issues, the programme aims to provide a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities presented by the evolving India-Germany climate partnership.
In conclusion, the India-Germany Climate and Energy Journalism Programme is a pioneering initiative that brings together journalists from both nations to deepen their understanding of the climate transition and foster cross-border collaboration. Through training, reporting grants, and the opportunity to work with partners from the other country, the programme seeks to enhance the quality of climate journalism and promote a more informed and engaged public. As India and Germany strengthen their climate partnership, this journalism programme plays a crucial role in shaping the narrative and driving meaningful action in the fight against climate change.
