Are you interested in shining a light on the social and structural factors that shape health outcomes in your community? Do you have a story to tell about how poverty, inequality, access to healthcare, or living conditions impact people’s health?

Health-e News invites community journalists and grassroots activists to join our 2025 Social Determinants of Health Project, where you’ll gain the tools and support to make a real impact through storytelling.

What the Project Offers

• You’ll learn to write compelling stories and produce impactful videos that amplify the voices of your community
• You’ll learn how to use storytelling as a tool for change by addressing issues like housing, unemployment, gender-based violence, access to healthcare, and more.
• Your work will be published on Health-e News and its platforms, reaching policymakers, NGOs, and communities across South Africa.
• A stipend for each story produced

Who Should Apply?

• Community journalists with experience or a keen interest in health reporting.
• Grassroots activists actively involved in community initiatives, advocacy, or activism related to social and health justice.

You don’t need to be a seasoned journalist to apply! If you’re passionate, motivated, and eager to learn, we want to hear from you.

Commitment

• Participation in training workshops (virtual and in-person).
• Regular reporting and content creation between March 2025 and December 2025.
• Collaboration with other fellows and Health-e News staff.

Application Requirements

Personal Statement (250–400 words):

Tell us about yourself, your community work, or your journalism experience.

Why do you want to be part of this project?

What stories do you want to tell about factors contributing to poor health in your community?

Work Sample

For journalists: Submit 3 published writing and/or video samples. 

For activists: Share writing samples, and/or a short description of a project or campaign you’ve been involved in (with photos or a link, if available).

Deadline

Applications close on Friday February 7 2025. Please submit your application by noon latest. 

How to Apply

Send your application to editor@health-e.org.za with the subject line: “Community Journalist/Activist Application – Social Determinants of Health Project”.

We’d particularly like to hear from applicants in rural areas, and from the Western Cape, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, KwaZulu Natal, Mpumalanga, North-West and the Free State.

We highly encourage young black womxn*, LGBTIAQ+ and gender non-conforming people to apply.