2. Background Transnational issues in sub-Saharan African countries, such as cross-border trade, migration, and security threats, pose significant challenges that affect the region's stability and development. These complex issues often have far-reaching consequences, impacting economic growth, social cohesion, and political stability. As such, independent public-interest journalism has a role to play by accurately reporting on and producing accessible content to publics in order to hold those in power accountable. Part of that high quality reporting is to have access to Civil society actors in this space who are able to communicate their work so media can ensure they capture all community voices and frontline issues. 3. Training and Mentoring Accordingly, Thomson Reuters Foundation (TRF), the corporate foundation of Thomson Reuters, is delivering a communications training and mentoring programme that addresses the needs of CSOs in Kenya, Tanzania and Zimbabwe as well as journalism training for journalists to strengthen the work of both groups and lead to more informed audiences. The four-day training course will be delivered through TRF’s Dual Track approach; representatives of CSOs and journalists will take part in simultaneous training courses (tracks) led by our leading team of experienced professional trainers. The training will equip CSOs working on these topics on how to effectively engage the media to raise awareness and garner action from policy makers on these issues. 3. The Programme This programme offers long-term, targeted support to CSOs to drive real change in attitudes, practices, and policy on several transnational issues through the following stages: 1. 2. Onboarding onto the programme through one-to-one conversations with TRF staff. Participation in TRF’s dual-track training course either in Harare, Zimbabwe, Nairobi, Kenya and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania between February and March 2025. 3. The opportunity to access direct one-to-one mentorship, working directly with a TRF mentor to pursue an agreed communications objective. Places on the mentoring scheme will be awarded through a competitive proposal review process on the topic of transnational issues. 4. The opportunity to access pro bono legal support through signing up to TRF’s TrustLaw network – the world’s largest pro-bono legal service. 5. Participation in an alumni network of CSOs and journalists, with opportunities to engage in other relevant TRF programmes as they are rolled out. 4. Expected Programme Outcomes CSO participants will be able to develop clear and compelling messaging and communicate about the work they do – and why it is important. Participants will be better equipped to engage with the media through planned and unplanned interactions with journalists. CSOs will also be introduced to digital and multimedia tools, communications tactics and content creation techniques. 5. The Dual-Track Training Course Participation in the Dual-Track Training course is the third stage of the programme, and requires your inperson participation for four days between February-March 2025 Training Course Format: Course Dates: TBC in February-March 2025 (in person) Course Location: In Country 3