Media Monitoring Africa has opened applications for the Isu Elihle Awards, inviting professional and freelance journalists across Africa to submit innovative and unpublished story ideas that highlight child rights and issues affecting children.
The awards aim to strengthen journalism focused on children and child rights across the continent, encouraging impactful storytelling that influences public discussions, promotes accountability, and supports positive social change.
Funding
Six journalists will be shortlisted and each will receive up to R10,000 for story research and production. Final prizes are awarded as follows:
Overall winner:Â approximately R30,000
First runner-up:Â R20,000
Second runner-up:Â R15,000
Mandy Rossouw Accountability Category award:Â between R10,000 and R20,000
Participants may receive both a top-three prize and the Mandy Rossouw Accountability award if eligible.
Programme focus
The awards support child rights journalism that uses innovative and creative approaches to present important issues in engaging and meaningful ways.
The programme particularly encourages accountability reporting, investigative or evidence-based journalism that examines actions, policies, or systems affecting children and holds individuals or institutions responsible.
Stories must be published or broadcast through mainstream media organisations upon completion.
Eligibility
The awards are open to professional and freelance journalists working anywhere in Africa. Applicants must:
Submit entries in English
Submit only one entry
Present a new and unpublished story idea
Submit a current and newsworthy topic
How to apply
Applicants submit their story idea online via the Media Monitoring Africa website.
Shortlisted journalists will be required to secure agreement from a mainstream media organisation to publish or broadcast the final story, and must include acknowledgment of Media Monitoring Africa in the completed work.
Application information
Deadline: 4 June 2026
For more information and to apply, click here.
Your funding experts
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