By Patience Gondo
Environment Africa, in partnership with the Rainbow Tourism Group (RTG) has announced the opening of submissions for the 2025 Environmental Reporter of the Year Awards, a programme designed to recognise and reward excellence in environmental journalism across Zimbabwe.
The annual competition aims to honour journalists who have demonstrated professionalism, passion and dedication in reporting on environmental issues affecting communities and the nation at large.
The organisers said the awards will highlight stories that not only inform but also inspire solutions to environmental challenges such as waste management, renewable energy, water conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
According to the call for entries, eligible submissions must have been published or broadcast between October 1, 2024 and September 30, 2025, with the deadline for entries set for November 9, 2025.
Entries can be submitted in the form of written articles, photos or electronic broadcast material from newspapers, magazines, radio, television or established online media outlets.
“The awards seek to promote high journalistic standards in environmental reporting and encourage storytellers who bring to light the realities and innovations shaping our environment,” said Environmental Africa.
The organisers also said blogs, social media posts and personal websites will not be accepted, ensuring that submissions come from established and verifiable media platforms.
Entries will be judged based on criteria such as accuracy, originality, depth of research and the journalist’s ability to demonstrate commitment in obtaining the story.
Journalists are allowed to submit a maximum of two entries per category.
Categories for the 2025 awards include Best Climate Change Story, Best Waste Management and Recycling Story, Best Gender and Environment Story, Best Wildlife Conservation Story, Best Sustainable Livelihoods Story, Best Water and Sanitation Story, Best Renewable Energy Story and Best Sustainable Forest Management Story.
Environment Africa said the awards are not only meant to celebrate journalistic achievement but also to strengthen the role of the media in advancing environmental awareness and sustainable development.
The exact date for the awards ceremony will be announced in due course.
Entries can be emailed to hr@environmentafrica.org or hand-delivered to Environment Africa, 76 Queen Elizabeth Road, Greendale, Harare.
The initiative comes at a time when environmental degradation and climate change remain pressing issues in Zimbabwe and beyond, underscoring the importance of credible and impactful reporting that influences policy and community action.