The Technical Center for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) ACP (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific)-EU (European Union) competition is being held to find the most effective journalism and community communication projects in ACP countries on agriculture and agriculture-related rural development issues.

The competition is open to professional and non-professional journalists, media houses, and community-level communication projects from ACP countries. There are two categories:

(A) Journalism published or broadcast through print, radio, TV, or online outlets; and

(B) Community-level communication projects (any medium).

In recognition that there can be overlap between A and B, an applicant can select which category to enter.

For Category A, Journalism, CTA is looking for journalism that has had impact at national, local, or community level - raising awareness or creating a debate, sharing important information or contributing to change. Topics may be agriculture or related environmental, social, political, or economic topics.

For Category B, community-level communication projects, CTA is looking for initiatives that have used participatory communication (through any medium, including face-to-face communication) to strengthen communities’ agriculture or their capacity to manage related issues such as natural resources.

First prize in each category: 2,500 Euros and a 2-week opportunity for training, study, or research (location and terms to be agreed between CTA and the winner). Second prize in each category: 1,500 Euros and a 2-week training, study, or research opportunity as above. Third prize in each category: 500 Euros and a 2-week training, study, or research opportunity as above.

All three winners and three short-listed entrants in both categories will also participate in the CTA seminar in Brussels, Belgium, October 12-16 2009 (all costs are covered). The subject of the seminar is how media and communication can enhance the agricultural and rural development of ACP countries.

Entries are welcome in English, French, or Portuguese. Full criteria and entry documents are available in English and French.


For full details, eligibility criteria, and entry forms necessary for entry into this competition, please contact both Kitty Warnock and Valentina Bau at the email addresses in the contact information, marking your email “CTA competition request”.

Email from the Kitty Warnock to The Communication Initiative on July 31 2009.