Expertise France, the European Union, and partner organisations have officially launched a media initiative aimed at building journalist capacity to report on climate, environmental, and economic issues with greater depth and accuracy across Sri Lanka.
A coordinated media development initiative has been formally established in Sri Lanka through agreements signed between Expertise France, Canal France International (CFI), and the Sri Lanka Press Institute (SLPI), with backing from the European Union's Green Recovery Facility programme. The "Media Capacity Building Programme for the Promotion of the Green Transition" seeks to equip journalists with skills to report on climate finance, green investment, sustainable development, biodiversity, and the economic dimensions of environmental transition.
Traditionally, environmental journalism in Sri Lanka has concentrated on coverage of natural disasters and immediate impacts. The programme aims to broaden this focus by enabling reporters to investigate complex policy and financial issues underpinning the green transition. Journalists will receive training in technical and investigative skills to produce evidence-based reporting on topics including public policy analysis and the tracking of green investments and climate finance flows.
The initiative is structured around several key components. It will provide intensive trilingual foundation training to 60 journalists working across Sinhala, Tamil, and English-language media. Six intensive "Story Labs" will offer direct editorial mentoring to support journalists in investigating and publishing data-driven stories. Youth outreach activities will engage journalism students and emerging practitioners, while a networking event will bring together journalists, experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to share learning and develop future story ideas. Implementation is led by Expertise France in partnership with CFI, SLPI, and Sri Lanka's Ministry of Mass Media.
The programme emphasises translating technical financial and governance concepts into accessible narratives for public understanding, with particular attention to how green policies affect household livelihoods and energy costs. It also commits to mainstreaming "just transition" perspectives and gender equity, ensuring that women and vulnerable populations have their voices represented in national environmental discourse. Interested journalists are expected to apply through official calls announced via SLPI social media channels and relevant media networks.