www.ircwash.org/news/young-wash-storytel...-schouten-award-2022

Application deadline: 6th of May 2022

Do you believe in the power of stories to inspire positive change? IRC is looking to support young communicators (age range 18-35) through the Ton Schouten Award for WASH Storytelling. Submit your applications or nominations by 7 May, 2021. To learn more and register  go to the IRC website . 

IRC has been organising the award since 2017, in memory of Ton who worked with IRC for 17 years and was a passionate WASH storyteller, film-maker and a mentor to those he worked with. The Ton Schouten Award for WASH Storytelling aims to combine all these elements by targeting a specific group of young communicators (age range 18-35) within the WASH sector in low and middle income countries. 

In times of COVID-19, the way and the intensity in which we communicate has changed and telling stories and driving positive change through them is more important than ever. IRC is looking to support young communicators through the Ton Schouten Award for WASH Storytelling to do this. 

The awardee will receive a cash prize of €2,500 to support them in pursuing their development in communications, to be invested for example, in new processing software, audio-visual materials, courses, new initiatives etc. They will also receive expert mentoring support from IRC during the year, and, where applicable, be invited to spend time with IRC staff in the most convenient location. 

Find out more about the award details, eligibility requirements and application details here in English and  French languages. 

IRC is looking to support young communicators (age range 18 - 35) through the Ton Schouten Award for WASH Storytelling. Submit your applications or nominations by 8 May, 2020. To learn more and register go to the IRC website . Pour le texte en français cliquez ici .

Are you or do you know a storyteller with a natural spark?
Submit your nominations for IRC's Ton Schouten Award for water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) storytelling by the 2nd of May, 2019.

Since 2017, IRC has been organising the award, in memory of Ton and with the aim to find and support exceptional young communicators in WASH. Now in its third year, the award will be handed out once again on the 2nd of June, Ton's birthday.

During the year in which the awardee is a beneficiary of the Ton Schouten Award he or she will be asked to remain true to his legacy of being a leading communicator in the WASH sector and deliver the following:

- At least two pieces of communications produced about WASH during the year. This can be a blog, a video, cartoon, poster, podcast. It should, however, be of a publishable standard. (IRC will support with some expert assistance if required.)
- Ideally attend at least one event towards the end of the year of the award to speak about the award and what they have been able to achieve with it. Appropriate events can be identified in conjunction with the awardee.
- A final piece of communication summing up the year as awardee and any effect it has had on the career/work
- The awardee will receive a cash prize of €2,500 to support them in pursuing their development in communications, to be invested for example, in new processing software, audiovisual materials, courses etc. They will also receive expert mentoring support from IRC during the year, and, where applicable, be invited to spend time with IRC staff in the most convenient location.

We're looking for those who have a rare talent, a natural spark, and to whom this award will be a stepping stone to further developing their career in communicating around WASH issues.

Applications are open for young professionals (over the age of 18 and under 35), who:
1. are working in the field of communication within the WASH sector in low and middle income countries,
2. are dedicated to storytelling within the WASH sector, and
3. have a portfolio of WASH related communication products (e.g. blog, a video, cartoon, poster, podcast).

Submit your application by the 2nd of May 2019 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with the following information:

1. Name of the nominee
2. Country of the nominee
3. Language(s) of the nominee
4. Relationship with IRC (if any) - Current IRC staff members and their families are not eligible to apply
5. Name of the nominator
6. Communications portfolio: Notable WASH related communications highlights – links to online media / scans of print articles
7. If nominated: A short paragraph on why you think this person is a deserving winner and how the prize would help this person's development as a WASH storyteller
8. If individual applicant: A short motivation statement including why you think you are a deserving winner and how the prize would help your development as a WASH storyteller

Whether a person was nominated or applies individually will not have any influence on the application outcomes.

For more information check the IRC website: www.ircwash.org/news/2019-ton-schouten-award-now-open-entries