As a leading implementer of the ISF Africa 2024 grant, The Olympus Consciousness Initiative (TOCI) is pleased to announce the Pulitzer Center’s open call for applications for the Impact Seed Funding Africa 2025 Grant. In 2024, in collaboration with the Institute for Nature and Climate Development Studies at the University of Lagos (INCDS-UNILAG), TOCI implemented a project based on the Pulitzer Center ISF Africa 2024 grant in Nigeria. This initiative, spearheaded by TOCI’s Lead for Private Sector Engagement, Opeyemi Alaran, focused on insipring local action within the University of Lagos community, using climate journalism to drive awareness and action on issues of climate change and environmental sustainability. By conducting a surveys, expert interviews, a webinar, and a workshop, TOCI leveraged Pulitzer Center stories to educate students and faculty about the intricate links between climate change, labor, and governance. These activities deepened engagement, fostering a culture of informed storytelling and collaborative research on climate issues.
This is why TOCI is excited to announce the launch of the Pulitzer Center ISF Africa 2025 Grant Opportunity. This micro-scale education grant is designed to support initiatives that enrich perspectives and knowledge on the socio-ecological challenges surrounding rainforests, oceans, and the broader climate crisis. The grant aims to cultivate more curious, informed, and empathetic communities by encouraging new collaborations between educators, researchers, students, and journalists. It also seeks to increase engagement between academic institutions and local communities, ensuring that the impactful storytelling of Pulitzer Center grantees reaches wider audiences.
A core aspect of the ISF Africa 2025 grant is its emphasis on creative and data-driven education. Successful projects will integrate Pulitzer Center-supported reportages into teaching materials, student-led activities, and scientific publications. This could take the form of visual storytelling—such as short videos, comics, and podcasts—or interactive student engagement activities like debates, hackathons, and on-campus exhibitions. Additionally, the grant encourages a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) approach, prioritizing gender equality and accessibility for differently-abled students.
TOCI invites all passionate educators, researchers, and student leaders in Africa to seize this opportunity and apply for the ISF Africa 2025 grant. The grants, ranging from USD $2,000 to $4,000, will support projects with a four-month implementation timeline, allowing recipients to develop impactful programs within their institutions and communities. Whether you aim to engage students in climate storytelling, conduct research on rainforest conservation, or bridge the gap between journalism and academia, this grant offers a platform to turn ideas into action.
As a leading implementer of the ISF Africa 2024 grant, TOCI is committed to supporting interested applicants by providing knowledge and capacity-building sessions on the application process. If you’re interested in having TOCI support your application through knowledge sharing and/or capacity building, follow TOCI’s social media channels or reach out to us at info@toci.ng for guidance on how to craft a compelling proposal.
For more information visit: https://manager.submittable.com/opportunities/opportunity/323231
Together, let’s harness the power of storytelling, research, and education to drive lasting change in Africa’s fight against climate and environmental challenges!
In the photo (from Left to Right) Aghogho Eduviare (This Day Newspaper), Deborah Edward (Circular Economy Innovation Partnership), Godwin Ovioma (YabaTech UNEVOC Center), Professor Olufemi Saibu (Director, Institute of Nigeria China Development Studies, University of Lagos), Musab Is-haq (UNILAG Green Hub) Opeyemi Alaran (TOCI) at the Climate Change Awareness Workshop, Lagos on the 12th of December, 2024