The VII Foundation Expands Global Journalism Initiatives with New Programs and Opportunities
An Afghan girl sits in front of a bakery in the crowd with Afghan women waiting to receive bread in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 31, 2022. © Ali Khara.
The VII Foundation has announced a series of upcoming initiatives, reinforcing its commitment to supporting and developing the next generation of visual journalists from across the world. These efforts span mentorship programs, exhibitions, fellowships, and global collaborations, all centred on strengthening storytelling and amplifying underrepresented voices.
A key highlight is the introduction of the 2026–2027 cohort of the VII Mentor Program, the foundation’s flagship educational initiative. Designed to provide one-on-one mentorship from experienced visual journalists, the program continues to attract strong global interest, with applications undergoing multiple rounds of selection. This year’s cohort includes participants from Palestine, Ukraine, Iran, Senegal, Bangladesh, and Germany, reflecting a diverse range of perspectives and lived experiences.
The selected mentees bring a focus on community-centred storytelling, often working in regions facing conflict or social challenges. Their work explores themes such as war, displacement, identity, and human rights, demonstrating the role of journalism in documenting lived realities. Through mentorship by established professionals, participants will further develop their practice while contributing to meaningful public engagement.
Alongside mentorship, the foundation has released its 2025 Annual Report, highlighting progress in delivering tuition-free training programs for freelance journalists across the majority world. Over the past year, these initiatives have supported emerging reporters in producing work that engages with complex global issues and sparks public dialogue. The report also underscores ongoing efforts to address challenges to press freedom and ensure the safety of journalists working in vulnerable environments.
The foundation’s work also extends into the cultural sphere through a series of photography exhibitions presented as part of Francophonie Days 2026. Hosted at the Museum of Contemporary Art of Republika Srpska in Banja Luka, the exhibitions feature internationally recognised photographers and explore themes of memory, heritage, and transformation. These showcases highlight photography’s enduring ability to document cultural narratives and historical change.
Further opportunities for emerging journalists are available through the Dispatches in Exile – Goldziher Fellowship. This four-month paid mentorship program is aimed at Palestinian journalists living outside their homeland, offering editorial guidance, financial support, and a platform to publish stories focused on displacement and identity.
Looking ahead, the foundation will also participate in the Festival de la Camargue, where its Nature Through Her Eyes initiative will feature prominently. The program will spotlight the work of women photographers and filmmakers, alongside film screenings, exhibitions, and panel discussions that explore environmental storytelling and the relationship between nature and visual media.
In addition to these programs, the foundation continues to promote knowledge-sharing through workshops and publications. Recent activities include an online session on open-source intelligence in investigative journalism and the publication of articles addressing contemporary challenges faced by journalists, particularly in conflict zones.
Collectively, these initiatives reflect a broader mission to strengthen journalism through education, mentorship, and global collaboration. By supporting reporters working within their own communities, The VII Foundation continues to contribute to a more informed and inclusive media landscape, where diverse perspectives are documented and shared.
Learn more here: https://theviifoundation.org/educate/community/