Applications are now open for Voices of the Mediterranean Forests, a fully funded media workshop that will bring together up to 12 journalists and communicators from across the Mediterranean to turn the science of forest genetic resources into stories that reach the public. Forest genetic resources refer to the genetic diversity held within tree and shrub species: the variation between and within populations that allows forests to adapt and survive over time.
The workshop takes place from 30 November to 2 December 2026 at the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site in Barcelona, Spain, home to the Mediterranean office of the European Forest Institute (EFI), known as EFIMED.
Why the focus on forest genetic resources?
Mediterranean forests hold an extraordinary wealth of genetic diversity, the invisible foundation of biodiversity, resilience, and climate adaptation. Yet it remains largely absent from public conversation, even as climate change and habitat loss threaten this vital natural heritage. The workshop forms part of the Mediterranean Forest Genetic Resources (MEDFORGEN) project, led by EFIMED, which is the first cross-border initiative dedicated to strengthening the conservation of forest genetic resources across the region.
Who can apply?
The call is open to journalists, science communicators, photographers, filmmakers, podcasters, and digital content creators from Mediterranean countries with an interest in the environment. The programme combines talks and hands-on sessions on formats such as digital storytelling, social media strategies, and storymaps (interactive maps that combine geographic information with text, images, and multimedia to tell a story). Each participant will leave with a communication strategy tailored to their own country or region, along with a place in a growing network of Mediterranean forest communicators.
Practical details
The workshop is fully funded, covering return international travel to Barcelona, three nights' accommodation, meals, and materials. In return, participants commit to producing one communication output after the event.
Applications take around 15 to 20 minutes to complete, and the deadline is 15 August 2026.