DICE Young Storymakers programme: Criteria and FAQ

UPDATE (15 April): Please note the application deadline for this programme has now passed, and we are not able to consider any further submissions.

About the programme

The DICE Young Storymakers programme is a partnership between the British Council, offered through its Developing Inclusive and Creative Economies (DICE) programme, and Pioneers Post.

The selected young journalists, videographers, writers, radio journalists or photojournalists – three from each of the following countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa and the UK – will be invited to visit London in May 2019 to receive training from UK journalists and editors and take part in social enterprise and investment events. They will then take part in editorial meetings and produce articles, video, podcasts, photo essays and other paid content for publication in Pioneers Post and British Council channels. They will also be supported in pitching content to other media.

The programme will support the Storymakers to develop and publish fact-based reporting, analysis, radio reporting, photojournalism and video content about:

• The DICE programme, its participants, partners, beneficiaries and impact
• Initiatives to address gender inequality, youth unemployment, and barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities and marginalised populations
• Efforts to promote a more enabling environment for creative and social enterprise
• Positive change to national and regional policies for creative and social enterprises
• Innovative, collaborative responses to local and global challenges targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals
• Other efforts to build more creative and inclusive economies

These opportunities will be offered to three young journalists, videographers, photojournalists, radio journalists or writers, aged 18-25, in each of these DICE countries: Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa and the UK.

The 18 DICE Young Storymakers will be recruited through an open application process, with applications closing on 7 April.

The selected Storymakers will be invited for a fully-funded trip to London from 18-24 May to take part in a training workshop.

Additionally, they will engage in active learning and participate in storytelling opportunities with UK media and social enterprise professionals. They will also be invited to attend the Good Deals & Beyond Good Business conference and take part in other DICE activities along with the DICE Collaborators, members of the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, UK-based creative and social entrepreneurs, and British Council staff. Throughout, they will be expected to post about their experiences on social media and produce at least one piece of storytelling (e.g. article, video, audio journalism, etc.) from their trip to London about a DICE-related theme, collaborator, event or more, with support from Pioneers Post editors and programme leaders.

After their return from London, the DICE Young Storymakers will be expected to each produce at least three additional articles (800-1,200 words), photo essays (10 images) or short videos (of 3 minutes or less) over the following ten months (to the end of March 2020).  Longer articles will also be considered.

Storymakers will benefit from the following ongoing support from Pioneers Post and the British Council, including:

• Monthly editorial calls/meetings with Pioneers Post editors, providing regular advice and support on story planning and editing
• The opportunity to have work published on Pioneers Post and/or British Council channels
• Mentoring opportunities with an in-country, professional journalist

 The Young Storymakers will also receive compensation for content that is published on Pioneers Post or British Council channels – articles, photo essays, podcast and video – along with expenses contributions, paid through Pioneers Post at a pre-agreed rate.

Eligibility criteria

To apply for the DICE Young Storymakers programme you must:

• Be aged 18-25 on 1 March 2019
• Be a registered student, enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate course (of any subject) at a university or higher education institution OR have graduated from a degree course after 1 July 2017
• Be a native speaker of English OR be able to speak and write English at IELTS level 6.5 or equivalent (a formal qualification is not required, just the ability to speak and write at this level)
• Be dedicated to a career in journalism or communications, in any form. Previous training and experience in journalism and communications is desirable but not required  
• Have a passion for positive social change and a demonstrated interest in creative or entrepreneurial approaches to addressing social issues
• Have published an article, blog, vlog, podcast, radio report or video on a third party site such as newspaper, magazine, radio programme, podcast or other media platform
• Be comfortable and imaginative in using social media to generate interest in your journalism or communications
• Have access to the internet and to the equipment necessary to produce articles, videos, podcasts or other content such as a computer, smartphone or other video or audio equipment
• Be available to travel to and from the UK on any date between 18-24 May 2019.

PLEASE NOTE: if you are shortlisted for the ‘DICE Young Storymakers Programme’ you will be required to provide evidence of eligibility (identity, age, university or graduate status, passport, and English language ability).

PLEASE ALSO NOTE: If you are selected to become a ‘DICE Young Storymaker’ the British Council will provide you with a UK visa support letter and UK visa application checklist, and will provide reimbursement for the visa fee. The British Council will also cover the cost of your travel, food and accommodation during the 18-24 May 2019 visit to the UK.

Selected Storymakers will be asked to commit to:

• Maintaining contact with your mentor and making yourself available for calls/online meetings (expected one per month, timing to be agreed together).
• Publishing at least three stories throughout the programme period. Note that publication on Pioneers Post is not guaranteed and will depend on the quality of the work.
• Signing a contract and adhering to a code of professional conduct.

They will also be encouraged to share their work on social media.

Frequently asked questions

- Am I eligible?

Please check the eligibility criteria above. We unfortunately cannot consider applications if you do not fulfil these criteria.

- Do I need a journalism qualification?

Previous training in journalism and communications is desirable, but not required.

You should, however, be dedicated to a career in journalism or communications, in any form, and be able to demonstrate this – for example you will have published an article, blog, vlog, podcast, radio report or video on a third party site such as newspaper, magazine, radio programme, podcast or other media platform.

- Do I need journalism experience?

Previous experience in journalism and communications is desirable.

You should be able to demonstrate that you are dedicated to a career in journalism or communications, in any form – for example, you will have published an article, blog, vlog, podcast, radio report or video on a third party site such as newspaper, magazine, radio programme, podcast or other media platform.

- I’m a creative storyteller / a blogger, but not a journalist. Am I eligible?

This is a programme for aspiring or practising journalists. While we welcome and encourage creativity, we are looking for Storymakers who can apply a rigorous journalistic and analytical approach to understanding and telling a story.

- I don’t live in one of the programme countries. Can I still apply?

Unfortunately, this programme is only open to those legally resident in Brazil, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Africa and the UK, and living in one of those countries from May 2019 - March 2020.

- How do I apply?

Click here to access the application form.

You’ll need to answer two questions designed to test your journalism or storymaking skills and interests, and to share a link to one example of your published work.

- Does it cost me anything to apply/participate?

There is no cost to submit an application.

For selected Storymakers, travel/visa, food and accommodation costs will be covered for the trip to London. Ongoing mentoring is provided for free as part of the programme, and Storymakers will be paid a pre-agreed rate and compensation for expenses for any work that Pioneers Post publishes.

- Do I get paid for my work?

Yes, the selected Young Storymakers will receive compensation for any content that is published – articles, photo essays, podcast and video – at a fixed rate of GBP 75 per piece of content. Note that publication is not guaranteed and will depend on the quality of your work.

- What kind of things will I be expected to write (or make films/photo stories) about?

Storymakers will be asked to produce stories about:

• The DICE programme, its participants, partners, beneficiaries and impact
• Initiatives to address gender inequality, youth unemployment, and barriers to inclusion for people with disabilities and marginalised populations
• Efforts to promote a more enabling environment for creative and social enterprise
• Positive change to national and regional policies for creative and social enterprises
• Innovative, collaborative responses to local and global challenges targeted by the Sustainable Development Goals
• Other efforts to build more creative and inclusive economies

- How much time should I commit / do I need to be available for?

The programme runs from May 2019 until March 2020. To take part you need to be available to travel to and from the UK between 18-24 May 2019, and to spend some time after the trip producing your story from the visit.

After this date, you need to available for at least one monthly online meeting/call with your mentor. You also need to ensure you will have time to work on at least three different stories over the course of the programme (until March 2020).

- Can I write/publish in my own language, not in English?

Sorry, as Pioneers Post can only publish in English, you need to be a native speaker of English OR be able to speak and write English at IELTS level 6.5 or equivalent (a formal qualification is not required, just the ability to speak and write at this level).

- Where can I get more information?

If your question is not answered above, please email: DICEteam@britishcouncil.org.