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5-people, 5-slides, 5-mins to pitch your innovation on the cXc Climate Culture Pitch Stage during WAN-IFRA Digital Media Asia, Manila, 28 April 2026 .
We’re inviting media innovators to pitch bold, original ideas at the intersection of climate, culture, and technology that are the mechanisms of change for a better climate.
This is an opportunity to create climate products and services that can; reengage audiences, transform daily behaviours, build trust, create visibility, and distribute climate understanding through culture - turning climate from a distant issue into an everyday experience.
If yes, then this grant is for you. It's an opportunity to think big and experiment with innovation around climate news narratives and to put audience needs first, to deliver value in the idea, and develop groundbreaking product solutions.
Think about solutions like; climate-positive urban mobility apps, climate education grounded in culture, indigenous land and biodiversity monitoring platforms, sustainable fashion traceability platforms, or climate storytelling powered by technology. Also, consider how your solution links to the Sustainable Development Goals, especially; SDG2 Zero Hunger, SDG4 Quality Education, SDG11 Sustainable Cities And Communities, SDG13 Climate Action.
“Climate is part of our everyday life, we just don’t stop to connect the dots. Climate Culture Journalism is a movement that enables people to see the connection, to be part of the solution. If you have an idea that challenges how climate news is researched, created, delivered, experienced, or acted upon, and helps move the discourse forward, we want to hear from you.” - Shereen Daver, Sr. Director Growth and Innovation, Syli.
If you have any questions you can book a discovery call with the team.
Together, let’s create the future of climate culture solutions.
Ready to shake up climate journalism? This grant offers to fuel bold, game-changing news products and services that put audiences first and redefine the media landscape.
Be part of redefining the media ecosystem.
This grant is designed to support innovations with a real-life social impact for the climate. We are looking for solutions with deep ties to community and culture which harness the power of tech, media and storytelling.
This grant is open to journalists, media outlets and storytellers globally. Freelancers must be part of a news organisation.
No, you don’t need to be a cXc member. However, if you aren't you will be screened for membership and this will be granted if your pitch is successful.
The selected pitches will be awarded $10,000 USD and will be paid by climateXchange in an up-front lump sum. The grant may be used for product development costs associated with ideation, research, prototyping, testing, and launching your innovation. The grant will be paid in GBP the equivalent of $10,000 USD.
One ticket (per pitch) will be given to attend WAN IFRA's Digital Media Asia in Manila for the 2-day conference where you will present your pitch. Travel and accommodation to DMA is NOT covered; you must be able to cover this cost and present your pitch in person at the Pitch Stage on April 28, 2026. We are unable to facilitate virtual pitches.
We will ask for light-touch general and financial reporting at the end of the project – templates will be provided. We also want to see your commitment to demonstrating long term impact and we will ask for reporting beyond the end date of this project.
Submit an online application detailing applicant information, the overall pitch idea, the impact and relevance of the innovation, budget breakdown, and anything additional you would like us to know. You must also share with us a 5-slide pitch deck using this template, also found in the application form. You must save your own copy of the template, and share a link to your deck via the application form when promoted. If you are shortlisted, this deck will form the basis of your presentation on the pitch stage.
You can also contact emma@syli.org.uk or schedule a discovery call to discuss your application further.
Please note that due to the volume of applications cXc will not be able to offer direct feedback to unsuccessful applicants.
Culture-first: The product should transform climate from a siloed issue into a cultural force that is part of the media and climate ecosystem.
Innovation: The product should drive innovation interest amongst climate journalists or storytellers in the market or regionally. The approach will innovate processes and create a climate innovation-based culture for an audience, organisation or community.
Impact: The product should move the climate conversations, solutions and adaptations forward in the local market. There must be a direct contribution made to changing the climate storytelling and communication ecosystem. Other markets could learn from the product and the knowledge from this innovation is transferable.
Scale: The product should be scalable in local or regional markets and has growth potential.
Financial Sustainability: The product should have the possibility of generating a financially sustainable business model and could be replicated across regions or other markets.
Applicants will fully own their ideas. cXc has no rights over the intellectual property. We ask the methodology and learning to be open source; however, all copyright and IP of the innovation and research is yours.
We recognise that climate change is not just a scientific or political issue, it’s a cultural one. We encourage projects that shape climate culture by making climate news and information more relatable, inspiring action, or connecting with communities through storytelling, art, or innovative community engagement strategies.
The shortlisted applicants selected to present on the pitch stage will be informed by 31 March 2026. The final winner will be announced shortly after the pitch stage, at the DMA conference on 28 April 2026.
For any questions, please reach out to emma@syli.org.uk.
climateXchange is the flagship initiative of Syli, our parent company—a non-profit dedicated to mission driven journalism. With a vision of a world where everyone has access to equitable, trustworthy and accurate information we are on a mission to create a healthier, more sustainable media ecosystem for better informed global audiences.
