German Embassy Scholarship: Applications open for 7 West African journalists to explore illicit economies and instability

A German Embassy scholarship opportunity has opened for 7 West African journalists who will be provided with funding, mentorships and training to carry out an in-depth investigation into the links between illicit economies and instability in the West African sub-region.

West Africa faces escalating conflicts and instability, with recent years seeing a surge in coups and the growing influence of non-state armed groups (NSAGs), including criminal networks, violent extremists, and insurgents. In this context, the Resilience Fund invites journalists from the region to apply for support to produce in-depth investigative pieces exposing how illicit economies intersect with conflict and instability in their countries.

Who qualifies for the German Embassy Scholarship?

The German Embassy scholarship is open to journalists based in Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Benin and Nigeria, with a demonstrated understanding of criminal activity within a conflict ecosystem and knowledge of local socio-political landscapes. Preference may be given to those based in or reporting on the northern areas of these countries.

The fellowship will consist of a grant of €8,000, capacity-building through tailored
mentorships, and networking and collaboration opportunities. Selected fellows are expected to publish their stories on media outlets by the second semester of 2025.

This Fellowship is part of a programme titled ‘Support to the Mitigation of Destabilizing Effects of Transnational Organised Crime (M-TOC)’, which combines traditional security responses with community-driven resilience measures, informed by cutting-edge research and investigative journalism on the intersection of illicit economies and instability.

M-TOC is an ECOWAS project commissioned by the German Federal Foreign Office, implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, and the Global Initiative against Transnational Organized Crime (GITOC), from 2024 to 2025.

Why there is a need for this investigation

Extremist groups in West Africa are increasingly consolidating territorial control and
expanding their operations, resourced to a significant extent through illicit economies. Illegal gold mining, cattle rustling, arms trafficking, and kidnapping are not just criminal activities; they are fueling conflicts, fostering grievances, and driving recruitment into NSAGs, thereby undermining peace efforts.

“Journalists have a critical role to play in shedding light on these issues,” said Siria Gastélum Félix, former journalist and Director of Resilience at the GI-TOC. “By reporting on the nexus between illicit economies and instability, they can help communities and policymakers understand and address the root causes of conflict.”

How can one apply for the German Embassy Scholarship?

The fellowship seeks proposals that demonstrate a clear understanding of the illicit economy conflict nexus and a feasible investigative plan. The full details of the call for applications can be checked here.

The deadline for submissions is August 20, 2024.