The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Media Awards recognise and celebrate the vital role of journalism in promoting regional integration, peace, and development across the IGAD region.
These awards aim to honour exceptional media work that fosters informed public discourse and a deeper understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing the region.
As part of IGAD’s Communication Strategy and Institutional Strengthening Action Programme (ISAP), this initiative underscores the importance of the media as partners in shaping narratives that matter.
Mission
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Promote quality journalism
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Foster regional integration
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Recognize excellence in media
Award Categories
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Best News Story: Celebrating impactful news coverage on regional integration and development.
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Best Feature Story: Honouring in-depth reporting that explores critical regional issues and challenges.
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Best Investigative Report: Recognising groundbreaking investigative journalism that shines a light on pressing regional concerns.
These categories cover a broad range of media, including print, radio, television, digital platforms, photography, indigenous language reporting, and influencer content.
Eligibility
To qualify, entrants must:
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Be media professionals from IGAD member states (full list available here)
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Have published or broadcast work relevant to the theme of regional integration and development between April 1, 2024, and July 30, 2025
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Include freelance journalists, independent media professionals, mainstream, digital, or multimedia journalists, foreign correspondents, and content creators with a focus on the IGAD region
Judging Criteria
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Relevance to the theme of regional integration and development
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Demonstrated potential impact on public awareness and discourse
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Quality of writing, research, and storytelling
Award Guidelines
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All submissions must be original and clearly attributed; plagiarism will lead to disqualification
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Each participant may submit only one entry
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Entries not in English must include translations or transcripts
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Joint or team submissions must list all contributing authors
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Entries behind paywalls or restricted access must be submitted as readable PDFs
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By entering, participants grant IGAD the right to use their work for promotional, training, and advocacy purposes, with proper attribution
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The judges’ decisions are final and not subject to appeal
How to Submit
Begin the submission process here and check for IGAD member states.
Deadline
Entries must be submitted by July 30, 2025.
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Media Awards celebrate the crucial role of journalism in fostering regional integration, peace, and development within the IGAD region. These awards aim to honor outstanding media work that enhances informed public discourse and offers a deeper understanding of the region's challenges and opportunities as part of IGAD's Communication Strategy and Institutional Strengthening Action Programme (ISAP).
The awards focus on promoting quality journalism, encouraging regional integration, and recognizing media excellence. Categories include Best News Story, Best Feature Story, and Best Investigative Report, which highlight impactful, in-depth, and investigative pieces related to regional concerns. The awards consider a wide array of media types, including print, radio, television, digital platforms, and others.
Eligible participants must be media professionals from IGAD member states and have published work on regional integration and development from April 1, 2024, to July 30, 2025. Judging criteria include relevance to regional themes, potential impact, and the quality of writing. Award guidelines specify originality, submission rules, and IGAD's right to use entries for promotional purposes. Submissions open at the designated website, with a deadline of July 30, 2025.
