CNN Academy Program 2025 for Young Storytellers from the Global South – YOA

Deadline: June 23, 2025

Applications are open for the CNN Academy Program 2025 for Young Storytellers from the Global South. The world is dealing with an period of unprecedented well being challenges, from epidemics and illness outbreaks to the far-reaching impacts of humanitarian crises. In this panorama, we’d like a brand new era of storytellers geared up to report information and inform pressing, human-centered tales that may drive consciousness, accountability, and motion.

These tales aren’t simply international – they’re deeply native. They demand storytellers who perceive the cultural, political and systemic elements shaping well being outcomes on the floor.

That’s why this program is investing in rising journalism from the Global South throughout areas usually at the epicenter of world well being emergencies but underrepresented in protection. From reporting on vaccine fairness in Sub-Saharan Africa to humanitarian crises in battle zones, to the resilience of frontline employees, this program will practice you to search out the tales that matter and inform them in depth, context and impression.

Program Structure

• Phase One: Virtual Training – From July to October 1, 2025: The first section of the program is delivered fully on-line by means of the CNN Academy Hub. During this section, contributors will interact in a collection of programs designed to boost their storytelling abilities and deepen their understanding of world points, notably these affecting the Global South. To be thought-about for Phase Two, contributors should full and cross all the required programs, earn the vital badges, and submit a pitch for a chunk you wish to produce utilizing the abilities realized in the program.
• Phase Two: In-Person Training and Simulation – November 2025, Abu Dhabi: Phase Two begins with fingers-on coaching in Abu Dhabi, the place contributors will concentrate on cell journalism strategies and storytelling practices, studying from CNN Academy’s knowledgeable trainers. They will then take part in the 2025 CNN Academy Simulation, which is able to heart on international well being reporting. This excessive-strain, actual-world simulation will present contributors with the OPPORTUNITY to apply their abilities in a dynamic information surroundings whereas producing impactful tales.

Eligibility

Applicants should:

• Reside and work in a rustic positioned in the Global South which incorporates any creating nation in Latin America and the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.
• Identify as a content material creator, journalist, or storyteller in the early levels of their profession.
• Have a portfolio of related work.
• Possess robust communication abilities and fluency in spoken and written English.
• Demonstrate a dedication to actively taking part in the whole coaching program and making use of the acquired abilities to their reporting tasks.
• Be ready and prepared to journey to Abu Dhabi for the CNN Academy Simulation in November 2025

Application

• To apply for Phase One, you will want to submit a short application verifying your eligibility, together with your background and why you’re excellent for this course. If your application is profitable, you’ll acquire entry to the digital programs and work towards incomes your certificates of completion.
• If you’re chosen to apply for Phase Two, you can be required to submit:
  • Samples of your earlier work.
  • Proof of your origin from a rustic in the Global South (outlined as international locations in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific, in addition to sure areas of the Caribbean).
• Once you will have accomplished and handed all the required programs, you can be prompted to add a narrative pitch for a chunk you wish to produce utilizing the abilities realized in the program. This pitch ought to mirror a world problem related to the Global South, exhibit a deep understanding of the subject material, and be reasonable by way of execution on the floor.

Click here to apply

For extra data, go to CNN Academy Program.