Code4Africa is giving data journalists and newshouses around the continent the chance to spur experimentation and innovative storytelling through a new fund worth R8 million.
The impactAFRICA fund has been set up in partnership with the International Center for Journalists, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, World Bank, CFI Media Cooperation and Hacks/Hackers Africa.
It is aimed at improving the skillset of data journalists in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia tackling developmental issues such as public health care.
impactAFRICA will also provide support in the form of technology assistance from its local civic labs in all six countries, as well as one-on-one editorial mentoring, digital skills training, and content syndication services.
“This initiative will help African journalists leapfrog many of the obstacles facing their newsrooms, by taking advantage of new technologies and by drawing on the continent’s best digital strategists,” Mohamed Dawjee, manager of impactAFRICA said in a statement.
“It will also help African journalists set new benchmarks for investigative reporting, strengthening scrutiny on issues that affect the health and wellbeing of African citizens.”
The first round of 10 successful applicants will receive support for their projects, impactAFRICA will then choose the best investigative report, best data-driven story and the best service journalism project to receive additional financial support.
impactAFRICA is specifically looking for proposals that focus on in-depth reporting into hidden, neglected or under-reported health and development issues.
Applicants’ projects should also offer compelling storytelling using digital tools for improved audience engagement, as well as data to personalise or localise stories for maximum impact.
To help applicants polish their project, the initiative will host a skills programme through a series of webinars, online StoryClinics and workshops where global experts and mentors will be on hand to help brainstorm solutions to technical challenges.
Applications for impactAFRICA are open on the fund’s website and close on 15th April.
