Environmental Storytelling in Times of Conflict – Ukraine, Odesa - Free workshop x Grant

A free hybrid workshop for Ukrainian or Ukraine-based photographers designed to support visual storytellers working on the environmental consequences of war in Ukraine. 1500€ Production Grant for one participant.

Environmental Storytelling in Times of Conflict – Ukraine, Odesa -  Free workshop x Grant

Are you a Ukrainian or Ukraine-based photographer or photojournalist exploring themes of conflict, the environment, or their intersection? Are you documenting the environmental impact of war in Ukraine and seeking to refine your approach and develop a cohesive, multilayered project?

Apply to this free hybrid workshop designed to support visual storytellers working on the environmental consequences of war in Ukraine. Learn alongside experts and professionals while gaining the skills, tools, network, and confidence to advance your work and bring these stories to international audiences.

Where: Online + Odesa (Ukraine)
When: June–November (online) · 3 days in September (Odesa)
Language: English
Application fee: Free

This workshop is organised by Inland with the support of  Journalismfund Europe.

For questions: contact@inlandstories.com

About the workshop 

The war in Ukraine has caused profound and underreported environmental damage, from polluted water sources and destroyed farmland to risks affecting energy infrastructure and ecosystems. These impacts are reshaping landscapes and communities, yet remain largely absent from mainstream conflict coverage. 

This 7-month hybrid program supports photographers and visual journalists in documenting these issues with depth and rigor, while connecting their work to broader European and global environmental debates. 

Open to 10-12 mid-career Ukrainian or Ukraine-based documentary photographers and photojournalists, the workshop combines online lectures, self-paced learning, in-person lab and personal mentorship. Through autonomous process and collective framework, participants will develop a strong investigative visual project, ready to be pitched or published. 

What You’ll learn

Participants will: 

• Develop a solid methodology and produce a cohesive body of work

• Strengthen investigative, creative and storytelling approaches 

• Learn how to effectively pitch their projects. 

With focus on :

• Environmental and conflict reporting (pollution, ecosystems, energy, agriculture…)

• Investigative and research methods, data verification

• Combining photography with journalism (data, testimony, science)

• Visual storytelling and editing skills

• Refining your presentation and pitch

• Expanding stories beyond press: exhibitions, books, multimedia
  

  What You’ll Gain

• Learn alongside international experts in environmental and visual reporting, leading editors and Inland photographers. 

• In-depth guidance and feedback, through collective sessions and one-to-one mentorship

• Develop a ready-to-pitch or ready-to-publish project, with guidance on how to present your work to international media, festivals and institutions.

• Join a community of visual storytellers and connect  with a solid network of peers. 

Grant Opportunity - One participant will receive a €1,500 production grant to further develop their project, with additional mentorship.

Structure & Timeline

• Phase 1 - Build Your Foundation  (Online – self-paced | June 2026)
  Start at your own pace with recorded lectures and materials from international experts. Dive into storytelling, investigative journalism, editing, and environmental reporting.

• Phase 2 - Lectures and project development  (Online – live sessions | June 2026)
  Join three live sessions with editors and experts on publishing, pitching, investigative tools and data use.  Begin shaping or refining your project through group discussions, and get paired with Inland photographers.

• Phase 3-  In-person lab (Odesa, Ukraine | 11-13 September 2026)
  Take part in an intensive In-person workshop with lectures from local experts, editing sessions and collaborative feedback sessions. Focus on sequencing, storytelling and pitching projects to professionals.

• Phase 4 - Refine & Pitch  (Online | September–November 2026)
  Continue developing your project with dedicated one-on-one mentoring from Inland mentors. Refine your story and pitch, with guidance tailored to your project’s stage and direction before final presentation. 

Between each phase, participants will have the necessary time to delve more into their creative process and research to develop further their project. 

Mentors & Experts 

Dr. Doug Weir (Conflict and Environment Observatory founder)

Pauline Eiferman (Director of Photography, Le Monde)

Arianna Rinaldo (independent curator and editor)

Irynka Hromotska (Kyiv Independent newspaper photo editor)

Katerina Radchenko (curator, researcher)

Roman Pilipey (Chief photographer for AFP in Ukraine)

Patrik Wack 

Matjaz Tancic 

Tjorven Bruyneel 

Polly Tootal 

Who Should Apply

This workshop is designed for early- to mid-career Ukrainian and Ukraine-based photographers and photojournalists who:

• Have an ongoing project or are developing a project related to the environmental consequences of war in Ukraine

• Have experience in documentary or journalistic storytelling

• Want to strengthen their investigative and storytelling skills and reach international audiences

• Are able to participate in all phases of the workshop
  
  Applicants must submit an ongoing project or a strong project pitch they wish to develop during the programme.

How to Apply

• Submit up to 15 images from your ongoing project or from a previous documentary project so we can judge your storytelling skills

• Include a short project description (max. 500 words, in English) of your ongoing project or project pitch

• Include a short bio (max. 300 words) AND a detailed CV
  

Deadline: 10 May 2026
Participants announced: 15 May 2026 

Practical Information

• The workshop is free of charge

• Inland will provide accommodation in Odesa 

• Participants are responsible for their own transportation costs

• The working language is English

• The in-person workshop will take place in Odesa, Ukraine

• Participants are expected to attend all phases of the programme

• This workshop is made possible thanks to the support of JournalismfundEurope
  
  Terms & Conditions 

•  Originality – All submitted photographs, texts, and materials must be your original work and must not include AI-generated content.

• - Usage Rights – You grant permission for your submitted work to be used for promotional purposes related to the workshop and public screenings.

• - Participation – If selected, you agree to fully participate in both online and in-person sessions, following the schedule and guidelines.

• - Recording Consent – The workshop sessions will be recorded and made publicly available. By participating, you consent to being recorded.

• - Professional Conduct – Participants must maintain a professional and respectful attitude when engaging with mentors, speakers, and fellow participants.

• - Technical Issues – Inland Photographers and its partners are not responsible for technical issues that may affect participation.

• - Age Requirement – Participants must be 18 years or older by 30 April 2026.

• - Copyright – Photographers retain full copyright of all submitted images. However, Inland House Workshop and its partners may use the images for promotion via print, web, or projection.

• - Grant — the recipient of the Grant will be selected and announced in November 2026.

• - Travel — The organization of the workshop is not responsible for the travel of the workshop's participants. The participants will cover their own travel expenses.

• - Disqualification – Any violation of these terms may result in disqualification from the workshop.