OPEN CALL Visual Journalism Program for Native American Storytellers      OPEN CALL Visual Journalism Program for Native American Storytellers     
The preserved letter of Mohammad Chowdhury Alam, written to his wife from jail in 1992 after he was arrested in political cases, is seen in this photograph taken on June 5, 2025. Alam was forcibly taken on the evening of June 25, 2010, when several men in plain clothes pulled him into a white microbus in Dhaka; he has remained missing since. The letter is kept by his family as one of the last personal traces of his life and memory. © Mosfiqur Rahman Johan.
mentorship for the next generation of visual journalists
An Afghan girl sits in front of a bakery in the crowd with Afghan women waiting to receive bread in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 31, 2022. © Ali Khara.
Connecting Emerging Talent with World-Class Photographers
On Victory Day in May 2008, young men in the Pankisi Gorge of Georgia gather to participate in war games using toy guns. Pankisi has no jobs for the young men, and without money, they cannot leave the area. In any case, the Georgian government has not yet provided them with any legal status, so it is impossible for them to search for jobs in the city. © Daro Sulakauri / VII Mentor Program.
supporting new voices from the majority world
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vii mentor program

Launched by VII Photo Agency in 2008 and now managed by The VII Foundation, the VII Mentor Program provides a structured professional environment for emerging talents in the industry, with a focus on those from the Majority World and underrepresented communities.

This first-of-its-kind, 12-month program pairs selected visual journalists with the foundation’s experienced contributing photographers. Through monthly meetings and frequent contact with mentors, mentees are encouraged to conceive a new long-term project, refine an existing one, or leverage a completed project for new outcomes.

2026

Our open call for application once again received an astounding number of entries, requiring careful review through several selection rounds. In addition to choosing five participants through our open call, we also partnered with Ian Parry Grant to invite the winner, Omar Ashtwy, to be a part of our program. He has been paired with Ali Arkady, himself a former VII Mentee.

The 2026-2027 mentees are:

As part of our commitment to advance education into practice, turn advocacy into policy change, and evolve reporting into public engagement, we chose participants who focus on community stories — be they from a small enclave or populous city — and who are rooted in these communities. Many of them come from environments that are extremely challenging for journalists. They will be supported and mentored by Ali Arkady, Anush Babajanyan, Philip Blenkinsop, Rena Effendi, Ed Kashi and Finbarr O’Reilly.

2026-2027 cohort

A displaced Palestinian girl looks at a partially destroyed tower block housing displaced families in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, on June 14, 2025. © Omar Ashtwy.
A displaced Palestinian girl looks at a partially destroyed tower block housing displaced families in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, on June 14, 2025. © Omar Ashtwy.
Omar Ashtwy  →
Palestine
© Svet Jacqueline.
© Svet Jacqueline.
Svet Jacqueline  →
Ukraine
An Afghan girl sits in front of a bakery in the crowd with Afghan women waiting to receive bread in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 31, 2022. © Ali Khara.
An Afghan girl sits in front of a bakery in the crowd with Afghan women waiting to receive bread in Kabul, Afghanistan, January 31, 2022. © Ali Khara.
Ali Khara  →
Iran
Young Gnawa men stand in their village of Khamlia, a community shaped by centuries of trans-Saharan movement. Descendants of people brought north across the desert through forced migration and exile, they live with histories of movement that continue to shape identity, belonging, and daily life today. Khamlia, Moroccan Sahara, Morocco, 2025. © Maroussia Mbaye.
Young Gnawa men stand in their village of Khamlia, a community shaped by centuries of trans-Saharan movement. Descendants of people brought north across the desert through forced migration and exile, they live with histories of movement that continue to shape identity, belonging, and daily life today. Khamlia, Moroccan Sahara, Morocco, 2025. © Maroussia Mbaye.
Maroussia Mbaye  →
Senegal, West Africa
On the evening of April 4, 2013, Marufa Islam Ruma’s husband, Mofizul Islam Rashed, was abducted by men claiming to be from the Detective Branch (DB) of Bangladesh Police from a tea stall near their home. Witnesses reported that Rashed was taken away in a gray microbus. Marufa initially believed the arrest was related to his opposition party affiliation, but law enforcement denied detaining him when she visited police and RAB offices. On April 8, 2013, the family filed a missing persons report, but police refused to acknowledge the abduction in the general diary. Photographed in savar on June 5, 2024. © Mosfiqur Rahman Johan.
On the evening of April 4, 2013, Marufa Islam Ruma’s husband, Mofizul Islam Rashed, was abducted by men claiming to be from the Detective Branch (DB) of Bangladesh Police from a tea stall near their home. Witnesses reported that Rashed was taken away in a gray microbus. Marufa initially believed the arrest was related to his opposition party affiliation, but law enforcement denied detaining him when she visited police and RAB offices. On April 8, 2013, the family filed a missing persons report, but police refused to acknowledge the abduction in the general diary. Photographed in savar on June 5, 2024. © Mosfiqur Rahman Johan.
Mosfiqur Rahman Johan  →
Bangladesh
I called home project, 2022-2023. Ukrainian teenagers celebrate a birthday along the banks of the Oder River in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, summer 2022. Many Ukrainian families arrived in the city after fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. © Tanya Sharapova.
I called home project, 2022-2023. Ukrainian teenagers celebrate a birthday along the banks of the Oder River in Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, summer 2022. Many Ukrainian families arrived in the city after fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine earlier that year. © Tanya Sharapova.
Tanya Sharapova  →
Berlin, Germany

2024-2025 cohort

Oh Mysterious Nile. © Roger Anis / VII Mentor Program.
Oh Mysterious Nile. © Roger Anis / VII Mentor Program.
Roger Anis  →
Cairo, Egypt
Women get ready for folklore dance performance during annual meeting of Bessarabian Bulgarians in Stoyanovka, Moldova, on July 27, 2019. © Mihaela Aroyo / VII Mentor Program.
Women get ready for folklore dance performance during annual meeting of Bessarabian Bulgarians in Stoyanovka, Moldova, on July 27, 2019. © Mihaela Aroyo / VII Mentor Program.
Mihaela Aroyo  →
Varna, Bulgaria
In a photo captured on November 9, 2021, Jean recounts the daunting transition as the orphanage closed its doors, leaving him without familial ties. Amidst uncertainty, a nearby family offered him a lifeline, bridging the gap between solitude and belonging. Overcoming initial challenges, Jean found solace and acceptance within their home, guided by the mother's unwavering belief in his place within their family. Despite early struggles and misunderstandings, Jean's bond with the children blossomed, evolving into a sibling-like camaraderie that transcended differences. Through patience, tolerance, and forgiveness, Jean learned invaluable lessons in love and family dynamics, witnessing the parents' unconditional care and nurturing. As time passed, Jean became an integral part of their lives, even standing as a brother during moments of grief and loss. Reflecting on his journey, Jean's heart is filled with gratitude for the love and acceptance he found, transforming strangers into cherished family members who embraced him as their own. © Bizi / VII Mentor Program.
In a photo captured on November 9, 2021, Jean recounts the daunting transition as the orphanage closed its doors, leaving him without familial ties. Amidst uncertainty, a nearby family offered him a lifeline, bridging the gap between solitude and belonging. Overcoming initial challenges, Jean found solace and acceptance within their home, guided by the mother's unwavering belief in his place within their family. Despite early struggles and misunderstandings, Jean's bond with the children blossomed, evolving into a sibling-like camaraderie that transcended differences. Through patience, tolerance, and forgiveness, Jean learned invaluable lessons in love and family dynamics, witnessing the parents' unconditional care and nurturing. As time passed, Jean became an integral part of their lives, even standing as a brother during moments of grief and loss. Reflecting on his journey, Jean's heart is filled with gratitude for the love and acceptance he found, transforming strangers into cherished family members who embraced him as their own. © Bizi / VII Mentor Program.
Jean Bizimana  →
Kigali, Rwanda
A self-portrait of the photographer standing and holding a bouquet of cotton flowers while covered by a veil in their grandmother’s old kitchen at their family’s home in El Mehalla El Kobra, Egypt, on Jan. 20, 2021. © Amina Kadous / VII Mentor Program.
A self-portrait of the photographer standing and holding a bouquet of cotton flowers while covered by a veil in their grandmother’s old kitchen at their family’s home in El Mehalla El Kobra, Egypt, on Jan. 20, 2021. © Amina Kadous / VII Mentor Program.
Amina Kadous  →
Cairo, Egypt
© Jędrzej Nowicki / VII Mentor Program.
© Jędrzej Nowicki / VII Mentor Program.
Jędrzej Nowicki  →
Kyiv, Ukraine
On Victory Day in May 2008, young men in the Pankisi Gorge of Georgia gather to participate in war games using toy guns. Pankisi has no jobs for the young men, and without money, they cannot leave the area. In any case, the Georgian government has not yet provided them with any legal status, so it is impossible for them to search for jobs in the city. © Daro Sulakauri / VII Mentor Program.
On Victory Day in May 2008, young men in the Pankisi Gorge of Georgia gather to participate in war games using toy guns. Pankisi has no jobs for the young men, and without money, they cannot leave the area. In any case, the Georgian government has not yet provided them with any legal status, so it is impossible for them to search for jobs in the city. © Daro Sulakauri / VII Mentor Program.
Daro Sulakauri  →
Tbilisi, Georgia

2023-2024 cohort

A man trying to revive Dariush Shukri, a 22-year-old man who was caught in an avalanche on a path in Koolbari. Efforts to revive him did not work. In the winter, avalanches are one of the main causes of death in Koolbari. © Ebrahim Alipoor for the VII Mentor Program.
A man trying to revive Dariush Shukri, a 22-year-old man who was caught in an avalanche on a path in Koolbari. Efforts to revive him did not work. In the winter, avalanches are one of the main causes of death in Koolbari. © Ebrahim Alipoor for the VII Mentor Program.
Ebrahim Alipoor  →
Kurdistan, Iran
View of a group of residents from the Wardian district going to the local party at Masr station, one of the main stations. It takes about 15 minutes to load the passengers. Alexandria, Egypt, April 2, 2019. © Fatma Fahmy for VII Mentor Program.
View of a group of residents from the Wardian district going to the local party at Masr station, one of the main stations. It takes about 15 minutes to load the passengers. Alexandria, Egypt, April 2, 2019. © Fatma Fahmy for VII Mentor Program.
Fatma Fahmy  →
Cairo, Egypt
Ina, from Ochamchire, looks through the window of her room at the former Soviet Sanatorium “Megobroba” in Tskaltubo, Georgia, on July 7, 2021. She fled to the Imereti region at age 18 during the 1992 war, was bride-kidnapped upon arrival, and raised three children alone. She is now awaiting an apartment. © Tako Robakidze for the VII Mentor Program.
Ina, from Ochamchire, looks through the window of her room at the former Soviet Sanatorium “Megobroba” in Tskaltubo, Georgia, on July 7, 2021. She fled to the Imereti region at age 18 during the 1992 war, was bride-kidnapped upon arrival, and raised three children alone. She is now awaiting an apartment. © Tako Robakidze for the VII Mentor Program.
Tako Robakidze  →
Tbilisi, Georgia
Folk holiday Malanka celebration in Bukovyna, Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine, 2015. © Oleksandr Rupeta for the VII Mentor Program.
Folk holiday Malanka celebration in Bukovyna, Carpathian Mountains, Ukraine, 2015. © Oleksandr Rupeta for the VII Mentor Program.
Oleksandr Rupeta  →
Ukraine
In the summer of 1998, India conducted a series of underground nuclear test codenamed Operation Shakti, which involved five nuclear bomb detonations. Khaju Khan, a shepherd, was out in the desert pastures with his flock on that day. “I saw a gigantic cloud of dust coming from the Pokhran firing range. At first I believed it to be a storm till I returned to Chacha village which had a large number of army deployed to evacuate the villagers,” shared Khaju Khan. © Chinky Shukla for the VII Mentor Program.
In the summer of 1998, India conducted a series of underground nuclear test codenamed Operation Shakti, which involved five nuclear bomb detonations. Khaju Khan, a shepherd, was out in the desert pastures with his flock on that day. “I saw a gigantic cloud of dust coming from the Pokhran firing range. At first I believed it to be a storm till I returned to Chacha village which had a large number of army deployed to evacuate the villagers,” shared Khaju Khan. © Chinky Shukla for the VII Mentor Program.
Chinky Shukla  →
New Delhi, India
The place on the river Janja where I learned to swim. My journey along its course is part of a continuing project that explores, depicts and exposes the complex cultural, physical, economic and ecological situation along this relatively small river long 53 kilometers. © Mitar Simikic for the VII Mentor Program.
The place on the river Janja where I learned to swim. My journey along its course is part of a continuing project that explores, depicts and exposes the complex cultural, physical, economic and ecological situation along this relatively small river long 53 kilometers. © Mitar Simikic for the VII Mentor Program.
Mitar Simikic  →
Bosnia-Herzegovina
A Ukrainian internally displaced person (IDP) who escaped from Irpin, a Kyiv suburb heavily affected by fighting and shelling, arrives with her dog and family at a location before the destroyed bridge leading into the city. The scene was captured in the third week of the Russian invasion on March 12, 2022. © Byron Smith for the VII Mentor Program.
A Ukrainian internally displaced person (IDP) who escaped from Irpin, a Kyiv suburb heavily affected by fighting and shelling, arrives with her dog and family at a location before the destroyed bridge leading into the city. The scene was captured in the third week of the Russian invasion on March 12, 2022. © Byron Smith for the VII Mentor Program.
Byron Smith  →
Athens, Greece

2022-2023 cohort

Haleema, a disabled Kashmiri woman stands near the window of a mosque in old city Srinagar.The two decades of Kashmir conflict has left almost a 100,000 people dead. Most of them bread-earning young men who left behind their mothers, wives, sisters, and children. Thousands of women live in extreme poverty and depression. There are around 800,000 people in Kashmir who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and most include women who witnessed someone dying in their immediate or extended families
Haleema, a disabled Kashmiri woman stands near the window of a mosque in old city Srinagar.The two decades of Kashmir conflict has left almost a 100,000 people dead. Most of them bread-earning young men who left behind their mothers, wives, sisters, and children. Thousands of women live in extreme poverty and depression. There are around 800,000 people in Kashmir who suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and most include women who witnessed someone dying in their immediate or extended families
sharafat Ali  →
Kashmir, India
Photo by Juan Pablo Ampudia / VII Mentor Program. A girl plays with soap bubbles outside her hut in a Quilombo, a remote settlement originally founded as a refuge for runaway slaves and their descendants, near Cachoeira, Brazil, on February 19, 2017.
Photo by Juan Pablo Ampudia / VII Mentor Program. A girl plays with soap bubbles outside her hut in a Quilombo, a remote settlement originally founded as a refuge for runaway slaves and their descendants, near Cachoeira, Brazil, on February 19, 2017.
Juan Pablo Ampudia  →
Mexico City, Mexico
083-D _ Belonging-00277736 1
Debsuddha  →
Kolkata, India
KD_7 web
Kimberly dela Cruz  →
Manila, Philippines
grace-ekpu-portfolio-web
Grace Ekpu  →
Lagos, Nigeria
harib webb
Nada Harib  →
Tripoli, Iran
"The Human Cost of COVID-19." © Josh Irawandi.
"The Human Cost of COVID-19." © Josh Irawandi.
Joshua Irwandi   →
Jakarta, Indonesia
22.08.2015. Gevgelija, Macedonia (North Macedonia today). A refugee from Syria stares through barbed wire during a heavy downpour on no man's land between Greece and Macedonia. Thousands of refugees have been trapped for days and weeks in the open, exposed to extreme weather conditions, while waiting for a chance to continue their journey to Western Europe. ©Marko Risovic for the VII Mentor Program
22.08.2015. Gevgelija, Macedonia (North Macedonia today). A refugee from Syria stares through barbed wire during a heavy downpour on no man's land between Greece and Macedonia. Thousands of refugees have been trapped for days and weeks in the open, exposed to extreme weather conditions, while waiting for a chance to continue their journey to Western Europe. ©Marko Risovic for the VII Mentor Program
Marko Risovic  →
Belgrade, Serbia
Farshid_01
Farshid Tighehsaz  →
Tabriz, Iran

Leica Women Foto Project cohort

©Brooklynn Kascel for the VII Mentor Program
©Brooklynn Kascel for the VII Mentor Program
Brooklynn T. Kascel  →
Minneapolis, USA
©Jackie Molloy for the VII Mentor Program
©Jackie Molloy for the VII Mentor Program
Jackie Molloy  →
New York City, USA
Natalia Neuhaus/VII Mentor Program. “I am a very creative woman who is confident and uninhibited with a sweet and compassionate soul.”
Natalia Neuhaus/VII Mentor Program. “I am a very creative woman who is confident and uninhibited with a sweet and compassionate soul.”
Natalia Neuhaus  →
New York City, USA

2008-2023 cohort

Agnes Dherbeys (2008-2011),
Benedicte Kurzen (2008-2010),
Adam Ferguson (2009-2010),
Anastasia Taylor-Lind (2009-2011),
Don McNeill Healy (2009-2011),
Giulio di Sturco (2009-2011),
Erin Trieb (2010-2013),
Giovanni Cocco (2010-2013),
Ilana Panich-Linsman (2010-2011),
Peter DiCampo (2010-2011),
Tanyth Berkeley (2010-2011),
Amanda Rivkin (2011-2013),
Chi Yin Sim (2011-2013),
Jost Franko (2011-2013),
Laura El Tantawy (2011-2013),
Mikolaj Nowacki (2011-2013),
Nafis Ahmed (2011-2013),
Arthur Bondar (2014-2016),
Cristobal Olivares (2014-2016),
Maika Elan (2014-2016),
Poulomi Basu (2014-2016),
Arnau Bach (2016-2018),
Esa Ylijaasko (2016-2018),
Luisa Dörr (2016-2018),
Mojgan Ghanbari (2016-2018),
Chris Lee (2018-2020),
Esther Ruth Mbabazi (2018-2020),
Fabiola Ferrero (2018-2020),
Hector Guerrero (2018-2020),
Line Ørnes Søndergaard (2018-2020),
Mathias Svold (2018-2020),
Sharon Castellanos (2018-2020),
Valentina Sinis (2018-2020),
Forough Alaei (2019-2022),
Fred Ramos (2019-2022),
Nolan Ryan Trowe (2019-2022),
Prin Rodriguez (2019-2022),
Swarat Ghosh (2019-2022),
Taha Ahmad (2019-2022),
Zinyange Auntony (2019-2022),
Debsuddha (2021-2023),
Farshid Tighehsaz (2021-2023),
Grace Ekpu (2021-2023),
Joshua Irwandi (2021-2023),
Juan Pablo Ampudia (2021-2023),
Kimberly dela Cruz (2021-2023),
Marko Risovic (2021-2023),
M’hammed Kilito (2021-2023)*,
Nada Harib (2021-2023),
Sharafat Ali (2021-2023),
Brooklyn Kascel (Leica Women Foto Project x VII Mentor Program 2022-2023),
Jackie Molloy (Leica Women Foto Project x VII Mentor Program 2022-2023),
Natalie Neuhaus (Leica Women Foto Project x VII Mentor Program 2022-2023).

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