In early 2007 Ecostorm launched an innovative, worldwide programme of work dedicated to training activists and journalists working in the ethical sphere. Our unique and pioneering approach sees individuals and small groups receive intensive, professional training and instruction in investigative research and video filming techniques, enabling them to incorporate these newly learned skills into their wider campaigning and reporting activities.
By equipping campaigners and journalists with the skills and confidence to safely undertake investigations as part of their work, and use the results to press for positive change, Ecostorm believes the chances of successfully exposing and confronting environmental crime – and abuses against people and animals – are greatly increased.
So far we’ve trained activists in five countries – Indonesia, South Korea, Croatia, Spain and Poland. Ecostorm is now expanding its capacity building programme and seeking fresh partnerships and funding to carry out this vital work, particularly to enable us to respond directly to requests for investigative training from small or unfunded organisations and activists in the developing world.
What we offer
All of our training and capacity building is tailored specifically to the needs of individual participants, and takes into consideration every aspect of their situation and needs, including safety and legal issues. Through a unique mixture of classroom-style teaching and on-the-job practical instruction, Ecostorm offers training in the following fields (not an exhaustive list):
- Video and stills photography, including filming for campaigns and broadcast
- Covert filming, including using hidden cameras
- Planning, editing and production of campaign films
- Investigative journalism and research techniques
- Planning, undertaking and managing undercover investigations
- Safety and security for investigators
- Compiling information and visual evidence
- Preparing investigative material for public release
