If you’re part of a local group in Africa passionate about climate change, environmental protection, and storytelling, there’s exciting news.

The Pulitzer Center is back with its Africa Climate and Environment (ACE) Micro Grants for 2025—a program that helps community-driven initiatives bring climate journalism to life in fresh, creative ways.

With grants ranging from $2,500 to $3,000, this initiative is all about using Pulitzer Center-supported journalism to spark awareness and drive change across communities.

And the best part? You don’t need to be a big organization—just a passionate, well-connected one.

What the ACE Micro Grants Are All About

Launched through the Pulitzer Center’s Africa Outreach Program, the ACE Micro Grants are now in their third year.

The goal is to help African organizations create projects that highlight pressing environmental topics—things like deforestation, ocean conservation, labor conditions impacted by climate change, and more.

These aren’t typical research or reporting grants.

The focus is on community-led outreach that actively engages people and gets them talking, thinking, and doing something about environmental issues—whether it’s through exhibitions, storytelling projects, forums, or even performances.

Key Focus Areas You Can Choose From

Each project must center around one of the Pulitzer Center’s supported themes and include at least one of their journalism stories. Here’s where you can focus your efforts:

Climate and Labor: Dig into how climate change is impacting jobs, safety, and workers’ rights.
Rainforest: Explore biodiversity loss, Indigenous rights, and the cost of energy transitions.
Ocean: Highlight coastal threats like overfishing, erosion, and rising sea levels.

Your project needs to clearly tie into Pulitzer-supported journalism and make it relatable to your audience.

What Kinds of Projects Are They Looking For?

Think bold, creative, and grassroots. If your idea gets people involved and thinking critically, you’re on the right track.

Some examples of eligible projects include:

Public forums with journalists, local leaders, and residents
Art shows or film screenings that feature environmental themes
Podcasts or radio shows focused on local climate impacts
Community storytelling events driven by lived experiences

Just remember: these projects shouldn’t be based in schools or universities, and they should be aimed at people aged 25 to 45—young adults and professionals who are often missed in traditional outreach.

What’s Not Eligible for Funding?

This grant isn’t meant for everything. Here’s what won’t be funded:

Projects not connected to Pulitzer journalism
School-based or academic-focused projects
Journalism training programs
General operations or internal capacity-building
Political lobbying or campaign work
Efforts focused mainly on creating new journalism content

Basically, if it’s not rooted in community outreach and doesn’t make existing journalism more accessible and actionable, it’s likely not a fit.

Who Can Apply?

Only Africa-based organizations are eligible. This includes:

Youth-led grassroots groups
Civil society organizations or networks
Community coalitions in climate, labor, or civic activism

To apply, you’ll need to show that you’ve worked with your intended audience before, have a way to manage the grant responsibly, and have connections to the community you’re hoping to impact.

What Will Make Your Application Stand Out?

The selection committee is looking for projects that:

Integrate journalism well: Use Pulitzer Center stories and involve journalists in your project if possible.
Reach the right audience: Specifically those aged 25–45 and not in school.
Drive real change: Your proposal should show clear goals and how it will make an impact in the short term.
Think outside the box: Creative approaches and unique formats will go a long way.

Key Dates You Need to Know

Here’s a quick look at the timeline:

Applications open: March 30 – April 30, 2025
Selection process: May 2 – 20, 2025
Grants awarded: May 23, 2025
Project briefings: May 23 – 30, 2025
Project implementation: June – August 2025
Wrap-up and reporting: September 1 – 30, 2025

What to Include in Your Application

Your application needs to be clear, convincing, and community-centered.

Make sure to include:

A 400-word summary explaining your idea, why it matters, what you’ll do, and what impact you expect
A description of who your audience is and how you’ll reach them
A timeline for your activities
A preliminary budget
The lead applicant’s CV and a letter of recommendation
Proof that you’ve worked with or are part of the community you want to serve
A signed consent letter if you’re working with Indigenous or traditional communities

Ready to Apply?

If you’ve got an idea that can turn powerful journalism into local action, this is your moment.

But don’t wait—applications close on April 30, 2025.