Green Media Accelerator Event Breaks New Ground for African Media Startups
[Nairobi, Kenya: 29 February 2025] — Five innovative media startups from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe have received cash grants to launch their climate justice media projects through the first-ever Green Media Accelerator (GMA) bootcamp. Organized, with the support of SIDA, by three partners from the Consortium for Human Rights and Media (CHARM)Magamba Network, Fojo Institute, and Wits Centre for Journalism—this bootcamp provided a powerful focus on bridging the gap between media, community movements, and policymaking.
The bootcamp was designed to connect with ongoing community campaigns, amplify the voices of those advocating for a sustainable and equitable future, and foster meaningful dialogue between key stakeholders. The event brought together young content creators, civic rights defenders, policymakers, journalists, and experts in the environmental sector to discuss and strategize the role of media in addressing the climate crisis.
Participants engaged in rich discussions, exchanging ideas on the critical role media plays in driving climate change awareness, advocating for community empowerment, and promoting environmental justice. The finalists showcased their plans to drive change through creative and impactful storytelling formats, including animation, stop-motion films, long-form documentaries, and public theatre.
The Green Media Accelerator also supported two influential media hubs, Media Challenge Initiative (Uganda) and Buni Media (Kenya) —who will work on a cutting edge Fake News Fighters programme to challenge climate disinformation and fake news. These media hubs will be instrumental in fostering media talent and creating compelling climate justice stories that reach diverse audiences across the East Africa region.
Key Topics and Focus Areas:
The bootcamp provided valuable insights into critical issues such as:
- Just Energy Transition: Advocating for equitable and inclusive energy systems that are not based on fossil fuels in order to empower communities and address climate crisis.
- Community Empowerment: Enabling communities to take the lead in advocating for alternative energy solutions and climate justice.
- Environmental Justice: Ensuring marginalized communities are not disproportionately affected by environmental damage.
- Reparations from Oil Companies: Addressing the need for reparations by big oil companies for the environmental harm they have caused, particularly in regions like the Niger Delta.
The role of truthful alternative media in shaping narratives around these issues was explored, with participants examining actionable solutions to drive positive social and environmental action.
Quotations:
“On concluding the first Green Media Accelerator bootcamp, were media reports of the rapidly increasing glacier melt of Mt Kenya all over cable news networks in my hotel room. The glow of success i had felt in my heart was quickly diminished as I sat through one such report which was describing the impacts that the surrounding ecosystems around Mt Kenya are already reeling from. All I can say now is that we need more and more support for our journalists to deliver the climate change stories, in every angle.”
Jean Mujati, Programme Manager, Fojo Institute.
“We were so impressed by the pitches by the young media startups. We’re proud to be able to support them on their journey ahead and can’t wait to see their final productions. They have such important stories to tell that will amplify young people’s demands to ditch fossil fuels and fight for an African renewable energy revolution that works for the many and not the few,”
Farai Monro, Creative Director, Magamba Network.
“Each of the startups in this bootcamp demonstrate that there is a deep commitment to climate change communication through a variety of storytelling tools and techniques. There is also a welcome focus on grassroots communities and their ability to effect change for the better. We need more of this work on our continent, and we need funders, national public broadcasters and other stakeholders to help stimulate growth in the start-up media sector through investment,”
Dinesh Balliah, Director, Wits Centre of Journalism.
A Vision for the Future:
The Green Media Accelerator stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between media, grassroots climate movements, and policy leaders. By focusing on community-centered journalism and evidence-based storytelling, the event has laid the foundation for an informed, empowered, and engaged public ready to advocate for meaningful change in the fight against climate breakdown and for a just, green and participatory Africa.
For more information or media inquiries, please contact:
Joyce Kimani
Communication Officer
Consortium for Human Rights and Media (CHARM)
Contact: +254 727 162 954
Email: joycek@defenddefenders.org
About the Green Media Accelerator:
The Green Media Accelerator is a dynamic initiative designed to support and scale innovative media projects focused on environmental and climate issues. Through collaboration with grassroots organizations, media institutions, and policy experts, the accelerator seeks to amplify the voices of those advocating for sustainability, environmental justice, and a just energy transition not based on fossil fuels.
