InfoNile, a geo-journalism platform and cross-border network of more than 800 environmental journalists and scientists in the Nile Basin, has organized a science communication competition that aims to engage university students in Africa to understand the critical role of conserving swamps and their biodiversity.

The competition aims at fostering environmental awareness and empowering young scientists and conservationists in Africa to take action for swamps, biodiversity as well as the environment. Participating students are encouraged to conduct in-depth research, critically analyze scientific information, and effectively communicate their findings to diverse audiences. 

Threats of swamps 

The following factors pose threats to swamps in the Nile  Basin;

• Pollution from a variety of sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial waste, and sewage. 
• Invasive species such as plants or animals that are not native to an area when introduced accidentally or intentionally wipe out species that originally belonged. 
• By clearing trees for various reasons like agriculture, urban development among other factors has increased water depth and persistence in wetlands and even created new wetlands where none previously existed.

Why swamps?

Swamps play an important role in curbing climate change issues, biodiversity conservation and providing quality water to the population. 

• They act as habitats, and homes to many different species of plants and animals, including fish, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. 
• Swamps help to filter water by removing pollutants and sediments.
• They act as natural sponges, absorbing excess water during floods.
• Swamps help to slow down the flow of water, which helps to prevent erosion of riverbanks and shorelines.
• Swamps provide opportunities for recreation, such as fishing, boating, and hiking. 
• They are also used for educational purposes, such as nature walks and field trips.

Outcome

To enhance students’ knowledge and understanding of the significance of conserving swamps for biodiversity and mitigating climate change.  

Objectives

• To empower university students across Africa to become effective communicators and advocates for environmental conservation.
• To showcase innovative communication strategies and solutions for addressing environmental challenges.
• To create a platform for networking, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among young environmental leaders.

Program  interventions

• Collaboration: The program will approach students from the previous competition to participate in the cohort.  Students who manage to publish a communication output will be invited to build from their previous work and will be mentored to produce different communication outputs.   This will be done in collaboration as students from several universities will be teamed up.  University students from across Africa will participate in the competition, fostering cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
• Capacity Building Workshops:  The program will organize workshops covering topics such as science communication, environmental journalism, multimedia production, and project management. (virtually)
• Creative Communication Projects:  Upon being trained, students will be encouraged to develop innovative communication projects such as podcasts, documentaries,  interactive websites, and art installations focused on water, biodiversity, and environmental issues.
• Expert Panels and Feedback Sessions:  The program will provide students with an opportunity to receive feedback and guidance from experts in environmental science, media, and communication.
• Virtual Showcase and Awards:  At the end, the program will host a virtual showcase to exhibit students’ communication projects and announce winners based on criteria such as creativity, impact, and effectiveness in conveying environmental messages. (debatable)

Judging Rubric:

Content and Accuracy (30%)

• Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the importance of swamps, biodiversity, and the impact of climate change on these ecosystems.
• Presents accurate and scientifically sound information, supported by reliable sources and evidence.
• Conveys a clear and compelling message about the need for swamp conservation and the significance of biodiversity in climate change resilience.

Clarity and Organization (20%)

• Presents information in a clear, concise, and engaging manner.
• Uses a logical structure with well-defined sections or chapters.
• Maintains a coherent flow of ideas and transitions smoothly between different topics or subtopics.

Creativity and Innovation (15%)

• Utilizes creative and innovative approaches to communicate scientific concepts.
• Demonstrates originality in the choice of communication methods and mediums.
• Engages the audience through compelling storytelling, visuals, or interactive elements.

Effectiveness of Communication (20%)

• Engages the target audience effectively and tailors the communication to their level of understanding.
• Employs appropriate language and terminology for the intended audience.
• Utilizes visual aids, multimedia, or other communication tools to enhance comprehension and engagement.

Impact and Engagement (15%)

• Successfully raises awareness about swamp conservation and biodiversity in a changing climate.
• Sparks interest, curiosity, and dialogue among the audience.
• Inspires action or behavior change related to swamp conservation.

Overall Presentation/Social media (10%)

• Demonstrates attention to detail and professional presentation skills for instance presentation on social media and proper taggings to ensure their outputs engagement/ reach are maximized.
• Final score will come from the social media platforms. Members of the public will be able to see all submissions and vote for their favourite. (shares, comments, likes) Participants will be required to create links and share with their campaign poster, with proper captions and garner reactions and engagement.
• Adherence to the competition guidelines, including time limits and format requirements.
• We shall also consider having multiple judges with diverse expertise to ensure a fair and comprehensive evaluation of the entries. To maintain transparency, provide feedback to the participants, highlighting their strengths and areas for improvement based on the rubric.

Awards  

• Position 1- 200 USD +Branded InfoNile notebook, thermal flask & t-shirt
• Position 2- 150 USD  +Branded InfoNile notebook, thermal flask & t-shirt 
• Position 3- 100 USD +Branded InfoNile notebook, thermal flask & t-shirt
• Position 4- Branded InfoNile notebook, thermal flask & t-shirt
• Position 5- Branded InfoNile notebook, thermal flask & t-shirt

How to Apply

Submit your application by completing this form: Application Form

Deadline for submissions: 15th August, 2024