UNESCO, the UN Secretariat, and the Government of Brazil have announced the first group of high-scoring projects selected under the Global Fund for Information Integrity on Climate Change. The projects are now being contacted to finalize grant agreements, marking a key milestone in the global fight against climate disinformation—one of the major barriers to science-based climate action.
Launched on 5 June 2025, the Fund’s Call for Partnerships received 447 proposals from nearly 100 countries in just one month, highlighting the urgent global demand for accurate climate information. “The impressive response demonstrates both the urgency and creativity of organizations worldwide in countering disinformation on climate change,” said Tawfik Jelassi, UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information.
The Fund offers financial support to local, national, regional, and international not-for-profit organizations advancing research, investigative journalism, and strategic communications to strengthen information integrity on climate change. Out of the 447 proposals submitted, 319 met eligibility criteria, with nearly two-thirds coming from the Global South—particularly Africa (23%), Asia-Pacific (18%), and Latin America and the Caribbean (26%). This strong engagement reflects both the depth of expertise and the acute need for resources in regions most affected by climate impacts and information disorder.
“Supporting these organizations fosters healthy information ecosystems,” said Melissa Fleming, UN Under-Secretary-General for Global Communications. “When the public has the facts, people will be motivated to act.” The current pool of eligible proposals requires nearly USD 38 million, but initial funding of USD 1 million from the Government of Brazil is enabling the first set of projects to launch.
João Brant, Secretary for Digital Policies at Brazil’s Social Communication Secretariat, emphasized the Fund’s potential: “Each new contribution unlocks powerful work on the ground—investigations, campaigns, and research that directly combat climate disinformation.” The Fund remains open to proposals through May 2027, with rigorous evaluation ensuring alignment and impact.
UNESCO is calling on governments, philanthropic foundations, and private donors to scale the Initiative and support additional field-ready projects. The organization also invites more Member States to affirm their commitment to accurate, evidence-based public discourse as a foundation for global climate action. “Information integrity is not a side issue—it’s central to the success of climate action,” said Jelassi.
The first phase of selected projects includes initiatives such as Advancing Information Integrity on Extreme Weather and Climate-related Events, Fake News Fighters, Nepal Climate Information Integrity Initiative, Strengthening Media Capacities to Combat Climate Misinformation and Disinformation, Telling Climate Truths in Asia Pacific, and The Toxic Ten and Climate Capture across Africa, among others.
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