The Pulitzer Center Global South Civil Society Microgrants support civic engagement projects in the Global South that use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism to deepen public understanding of the interconnected challenges facing rainforests, the ocean and the climate, centring the perspectives of the people who protect and depend on these ecosystems. Grants range from USD 2,000 to USD 4,000, and the application deadline is 6 September 2026.
Fit note: this microgrant is aimed at civil society organisations and groups in the Global South (particularly Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia), not individuals, so for the wider Youth Works Hub audience it is a niche opportunity.
Grant Overview
Climate and environmental issues have been at the core of the Pulitzer Center's work since its founding in 2006. Alongside journalism grants and fellowships, the Center supports initiatives that connect journalism with communities and diverse civic actors to foster learning and dialogue, pursuing real world impact: engaging communities, deepening understanding and connection, and influencing decisions locally and globally. This microgrant supports civil society in the Global South, including grassroots collectives, community led movements, artists and civic coalitions, to use Pulitzer Center-supported journalism as part of projects that contribute to a more informed and empowered community. Project proposals can support existing activities or launch new ones.
The Three Focus Topics
๐ณ Rainforest: examining the drivers of the degradation of the rainforest ecosystem, including the role of global markets, finance and policies, while centring the rights and roles of Indigenous people and communities whose lives are closely connected to forest ecosystems.
๐ Ocean: examining the drivers of the degradation of the marine environment, ocean health and the climate crisis, ocean governance, and science backed and community led solutions.
๐ฑ Climate and labor: examining critical issues at the intersection of climate and labour, including gender, livelihoods and adaptations, as well as community resilience in the face of climate change.
Types of Activities Supported
Projects should use at least one published Pulitzer Center-supported piece of journalism to improve awareness and critical thinking, contribute to more informed dialogues and decisions, represent and amplify diverse perspectives, and equip communities with information to take action. Examples include:
๐ฃ๏ธ Community engagement: knowledge sharing and community organising that connects reporting with audiences to deepen understanding and inspire action.
๐จ Creative expressions: digital campaigns, public performances and creative publication formats that amplify reporting and the voices of affected communities.
๐ฌ Public dialogues: transparent, meaningful dialogues bringing together affected communities, journalists, decision makers and academia at local, national or regional level.
โจ Other innovative projects: ideas that use Pulitzer Center-supported reporting as a meaningful part of civic engagement, building on existing local cultural practices and creative expressions.
Selection Criteria
๐ฐ Journalism inspired: all projects must meaningfully use at least one reporting project and/or involve one journalist supported by the Pulitzer Center as a central part of the project.
๐ฏ Audience centric: all projects must have a clear target audience and explain why the project matters for them.
๐ Impact focused: projects should be designed to achieve short term outcomes for key audiences.
What Is Out of Scope
The grant does not support reporting or journalism projects (for those, the Center's Reporting Grants and Fellowships apply), projects that do not use Pulitzer Center-supported reporting, direct advocacy or lobbying such as participating in congress or parliamentary meetings, campaigns that involve or indirectly endorse political candidates or parties, and for profit oriented projects.
๐ Working with words and stories for change? Here's a writing grant with an African focus: Writing Scholarship for African Writers: The Miles Morland Foundation Grant โ https://youthworkshub.org/21049
Who Can Apply
The grant is open to grassroots organisations, community educators, civil society organisations and coalitions, youth movements and other groups working at the intersection of journalism, civic rights and active citizenship. Organisations should have past experience developing and implementing civic engagement activities in the Global South, particularly in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, proven experience working on the identified topics, and a track record of co-creating impactful projects with communities and the operational capacity to manage microgrant resources from an international organisation.
๐ฑ Focused on environment and governance? Here's a funded master's route worth a look: Scholarship in ๐ฉ๐ช Germany: DAAD-EPOS Funding for the MSc Environmental Governance โ https://youthworkshub.org/21039
Grant Amount and Timeline
๐ต Grants range from USD 2,000 to USD 4,000, and can support existing activities or new ones.
๐๏ธ The maximum implementation period is six months (September 2026 to March 2027). Upon approval and signing of the agreement, funds are transferred to the partner, with formal start and end dates set in the agreement. Partners submit financial and narrative reports and outcomes at the end of the grant period, and are not obliged to collect detailed financial receipts.
The open call timeline runs with applications from 15 August to 6 September 2026, a selection and announcement process in mid September 2026, an onboarding meeting in October 2026, implementation from October 2026 to March 2027, a virtual check-in in December 2026, and project closure and reporting in early March 2027.
What Your Application Needs
๐ A general description of the proposed project in no more than 400 words.
๐ฏ A description of the target audience and desired impact.
๐งญ Your strategy or methodology for ensuring project success.
๐ A project implementation timeline and budget.
โ๏ธ If the activities include knowledge exchange with Indigenous peoples or traditional communities, a statement from a community member demonstrating consent (a signed letter or recorded message).
๐ A copy of the lead applicant's curriculum vitae, including a letter of recommendation from a department head or the director of your organisation or workplace.
How to Apply
Applications are submitted through the Pulitzer Center's online submission form and must include all the components listed above. Before applying, review the complete programme details, eligibility information and suggested reporting on the Center's website.
Deadline
โณ 06 September 2026
๏ปฟLinks
๐ Application form: https://pulitzercenter.submittable.com/submit/392ba55c-0a39-4d46-b372-eb134fb206e2/ieo-civil-society-microgrants-2026-english
๐ Official page: https://pulitzercenter.org/opportunities/reporting-grants-fellowships/global-south-civil-society-microgrants
โ ๏ธ Important Notice
Youth Works Hub is not the organiser, partner, or representative of the listed projects. This listing is shared for information only, based on details from the source. Deadlines, eligible countries, dates, and other details may change or be withdrawn at any time, and all funding, reimbursements, and allowances are set by the project coordinator or National Agency. Applications go directly to the coordinator or hosting organisation through the official link. Listings may include third-party links (ESC Portal, infopacks, forms) that Youth Works Hub does not control. Always verify the details on the official project page before applying.
