Why Media Fellowships Matter

Author: Nidhi Jamwal Title: A Journalist who Reports on Climate, Environment, and Rural Issues Ref: LinkedIn Post

Jun 14, 2025

Loretta Andrade

First an Animal & Wildlife Goodwill Ambassador & then a Corporate Professional, N/A

Liked by Flavia Manieri

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Why Media Fellowships Matter | Nidhi Jamwal

Why Media Fellowships Matter It’s been 25 years of environmental journalism, but there is one thing that excites me even now — media fellowships. I value fellowships over awards as the former provide umpteen opportunities to unlearn and learn at an organic pace. There are mentors to guide you, and there is financial support to visit remote corners of the country to meet people, spend time listening to them and thereby learning from them. In a podcast-driven world, this form of off-camera, on-the-field listening and learning is fast disappearing Why am I writing all this? Last nine months have been full of new learnings for me, as I got selected for the Promise of Commons media fellowship by Foundation For Ecological Security (FES). I have just completed all the six stories of the fellowship. And in the course of my travels, I realised how little I know about our common pool resources or “commons”. This fellowship has enriched me in multiple ways. Thank you, FES. India has centuries long tradition of management of natural resources as a “common” that belongs to everyone as against the culture of “private properties”. Our rivers, ponds, grasslands, pastures, mountains, aquifers, sacred forests — they have always belonged to the communities, who managed them with utmost care and camaraderie. Travel to rural India or visit a forest village and there are chances you will get to see this form of community management of jal, jungle, jameen. But in a world increasingly getting overpowered by greed and personal fame and gains, “commons” are fast disappearing. It is estimated that in India, approximately 350 million people depend on these commons for fodder, fuel, forest produce, fish, food and more. In the course of the fellowship, I learnt that the future of our planet is tied to the health of our commons. I am sharing links to my 6 fellowshio stories, in case you wish to read them. I am thankful to Mongabay India, Down To Earth, and Kashmir Times for publishing my stories. 1. https://lnkd.in/dR4YDJFW 2. https://lnkd.in/d8v6C2WB 3. https://lnkd.in/d7pJKHEt 4. https://lnkd.in/diJzhgpC 5. https://lnkd.in/d_KcExG5 6. https://lnkd.in/dxNb5RhK Unsolicited advice to young journalists — focus more on fellowships than awards. #commons #PromiseOfCommons #CommunityStewardship #CommonPoolResources #MediaFellowship #EnvironmentalJournalism

PS: This article is being reposted on WildHub with the kind consent and approval of Ms. Nidhi Jamwal, the author, who is a journalist friend of mine,, with whom I had the privilege of working on a short-term project "The Golden Hour" on World Snake Day - July 16, 2022.

Why Media Fellowships Matter

It’s been 25 years of environmental journalism, but there is one thing that excites me even now — media fellowships.

I value fellowships over awards as the former provide umpteen opportunities to unlearn and learn at an organic pace. There are mentors to guide you, and there is financial support to visit remote corners of the country to meet people, spend time listening to them and thereby learning from them. In a podcast-driven world, this form of off-camera, on-the-field listening and learning is fast disappearing

Why am I writing all this? Last nine months have been full of new learnings for me, as I got selected for the Promise of Commons media fellowship by Foundation For Ecological Security (FES). I have just completed all the six stories of the fellowship. And in the course of my travels, I realised how little I know about our common pool resources or “commons”. This fellowship has enriched me in multiple ways. Thank you, FES.

India has centuries long tradition of management of natural resources as a “common” that belongs to everyone as against the culture of “private properties”. Our rivers, ponds, grasslands, pastures, mountains, aquifers, sacred forests — they have always belonged to the communities, who managed them with utmost care and camaraderie. Travel to rural India or visit a forest village and there are chances you will get to see this form of community management of jal, jungle, jameen.

But in a world increasingly getting overpowered by greed and personal fame and gains, “commons” are fast disappearing.

It is estimated that in India, approximately 350 million people depend on these commons for fodder, fuel, forest produce, fish, food and more. In the course of the fellowship, I learnt that the future of our planet is tied to the health of our commons.

I am sharing links to my 6 fellowshio stories, in case you wish to read them. I am thankful to Mongabay India, Down To Earth, and Kashmir Times for publishing my stories.

Unsolicited advice to young journalists — focus more on fellowships than awards.

#commons #PromiseOfCommons #CommunityStewardship #CommonPoolResources #MediaFellowship #EnvironmentalJournalism

LinkedIn Post: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/nidhi-jamwal-bbb481a_commons-promiseofcommons-communitystewardship-activity-7339187281590738944-e99B?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAABy27BMB7-7uOH4o1slr60mj83JZFfbjXAU

Loretta Andrade (She/Her)

First an Animal & Wildlife Goodwill Ambassador & then a Corporate Professional, N/A

I have always believed that kindness should extend to every living being. My love for animals and nature is not just a passion. It is a part of who I am. I care deeply about Animal Rights, Welfare, and Wildlife Conservation, and I do whatever I can to make this world a gentler and safer place for them. Whether it is raising awareness or supporting meaningful causes, I try to play my part with heart and purpose.

Professionally, I have grown as an Executive Assistant and Administrative Specialist with hands-on experience across different sectors and cultures. Over the years, I have worked closely with senior leadership teams in Technology, Business, and Higher Education, always striving to be dependable, professional, and calm under pressure. I have earned an Advanced Certificate in Executive Assistance from BMTG UK Ltd which reflects my dedication to this profession.

I have also completed several training programs focused on workplace excellence and strong organizational skills. These skills help me adapt to change and keep things running smoothly in today’s fast-paced world. My work often involves managing international travel, planning both virtual and on-site events, and handling communication, immigration, and hospitality tasks. I approach each of these with care and a personal touch.

I also write professionally, preparing internal communications and business correspondence with clarity and precision. This has helped me build a reputation for being trustworthy, effective, and committed to high standards.

What truly keeps me going is my willingness to learn and grow. I believe that every day is an opportunity to do better, not just at work, but in how we treat others, especially those who do not have a voice. This journey of compassion, hard work, and lifelong learning is what I carry forward, wherever I go and whatever I do.