Save Our Planet Invests in Young Climate Journalists to Build a Strong Foundation for Climate Action in Benin

Save Our Planet, located in Benin, is working towards a more sustainable world through community health, sustainable agriculture, inclusive education, gender equality and social inclusion. 

This past year, Earth Rising funds helped support the Benin Youth Climate Reporter Academy, with additional support from Arete Arts Foundation. The academy equips young journalists and climate activists with the skills they need to communicate climate issues effectively, engage their communities and contribute to a culture of climate action in Benin. 

This past year 30 participants enrolled in the academy. The majority of whom were young adults, between ages of 23 and 26 and over half were women. The four-day training workshop was designed to strengthen participants' understanding of climate change and climate justice while building practical skills in climate journalism and storytelling. Through a combination of presentations, discussions, field visits, and hands-on coaching, participants gained the tools needed to create content that can inform the public and bring them closer to taking action. 

By the end of the training, participants demonstrated significant gains in knowledge and confidence. Post-training evaluations showed strong improvements in participants' understanding of climate change, climate justice and storytelling techniques. 

After the four days of the Academy, participants expressed a desire to continue learning and collaborating. They created the Beninese Network of Young Climate Reporters (RB-JRC). This network is designed to facilitate collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and climate content production among participants. The network also provides opportunities for young communicators to come together to take action.

In March 2026, the network hosted a webinar on carbon markets and their role in climate action. The event brought together twenty participants and explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with carbon market systems. The webinar continued the Academy's mission of helping young communicators understand complex climate topics and share that knowledge with their communities.

The Academy also encouraged participants to put their new skills into practice through a media competition. Following the training, participants produced written, audio, and visual content designed to raise awareness and encourage action on climate issues. Eight participants were recognized for outstanding work across four competition categories. 

By investing in young climate journalists, Save Our Planet is helping build a stronger foundation for climate action in Benin. Learn more about their work here.