Islamabad, The Bertha Foundation has announced the launch of its sixth Bertha Challenge, aimed at supporting activists and investigative journalists dedicated to addressing the nexus of corporate interests, political power in farming, and the global climate crisis. This year’s challenge begins in January 2025 and focuses on fostering investigative projects that highlight and counteract these interconnected issues.

According to Pak NGOs, the Bertha Challenge offers a unique fellowship that provides significant support, including financial incentives, collaborative opportunities, and professional development for participants. Each fellow receives an income of up to USD 64,900 for one year, a project fund of up to USD 10,000 to produce a targeted culminating product, and additional funding to foster collaborations among fellows.

The fellowship aims to equip mid-career leaders in activism and investigative journalism with the resources and network to produce in-depth work on critical social justice challenges, particularly those at the intersection of environmental degradation and agricultural practices. The challenge encourages applications from those who have a strong background in creating impactful narratives and who are deeply connected to the communities affected by these issues.

The Bertha Foundation emphasizes the importance of this fellowship in not only providing the means to investigate and amplify critical issues but also in facilitating lasting changes through strategic collaborations and extensive networking among professionals worldwide. The initiative is set to culminate in a global convening of all participants, offering further opportunities for networking and collaborative project development.