The application process is now open for the 2023 IFAJ/Alltech Young Leaders Award – with a €1000 stipend for the winner to attend the IFAJ Congress in Alberta, Canada. The Congress runs from 27 June to 3 July 2023, more details can be found here. The deadline to apply is February 13, 2023.
Sponsored by Alltech, the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) award recognises young journalists with potential to become leaders in the agricultural journalism industry.
Young journalists aged 35 or younger as of December 31, 2022 are eligible for nomination. Participants will be selected by an international jury for the award.
This award includes participating in a unique boot camp – which runs across three days running up to the main Congress – that will provide expert training and feedback through on-site writing or broadcasting assignments. It further develops young leaders’ skills through formal in-class training. As a part of their learning experience, award winners will write or record spot news during the duration of the congress. Their stories will be made available to the general media and posted on the IFAJ website.
Each of IFAJ’s 64 member guilds may submit one nominee for the award. There are 10 places in total.
Last year’s winners can be found here and include Hannah Binns from the UK. Previous Young Leaders include Ben Pike, Caroline Stocks and Abi Kay.
“Alltech is proud to partner with IFAJ in support of the Young Leaders program, as we all share the commitment to supporting journalists who give a voice to farmers and producers and ensure that the stories of agriculture continue to be told around the world,” says Jenn Norrie, Communications Manager for North America and Europe at Alltech.
“Year after year, the Young Leaders program contributes to educating and training the new promising professionals of world agricultural journalism, offering them essential tools for their professional development,” says Addy Rossi, general secretary of the IFAJ.
BGAJ members are advised to complete an online application by clicking here by 13 February 2023. Applications will be forwarded by the IFAJ to the British Guild of Agricultural Journalists for consideration. The BGAJ Council will select one UK individual to put forward as the UK applicant.
Guidance criteria can be found here.
Applications must include three work samples. Nominees must be willing to attend the Congress and the Boot Camp. The Boot Camp will be held in English. For details and rules, click here.
