Many congratulations to Clea Rekhou (
@cleaphotography ) the
@vital.impacts recipient of our 2026 Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim Environmental Photography Fellowship (
@hindououmar ). Clea, an Algerian-French photographer, is documenting innovative agricultural practices that transform arid Saharan landscapes into fertile oases.
Since 2023, Clea has been exploring the Gourara and Touat regions of Algeria, uncovering a part of her heritage that is little known and rarely seen. Through the collective efforts of local communities, dry desert land blossoms into oases that cool the soil, reduce water loss, prevent erosion, and maximize productivity—an advanced form of agroecology practiced long before the term existed. As Clea reflects, “Ancestral practices, often overlooked or undervalued, are in fact a living archive of ingenuity and resilience.”
These life-sustaining systems are increasingly threatened by climate change, modern drilling techniques, and rural exodus. “Recording them now is crucial,” says Clea, “for the communities who want to pass this heritage on to younger generations, and for the wider world seeking models of resilience and sustainability.”
At Vital Impacts, we believe storytelling plays a critical role in protecting people, cultures, and ecosystems. At a time when environmental journalism is increasingly underfunded and frontline communities are often unheard, we exist to build meaningful partnerships that support long-term, community-rooted work.
We are so grateful to our esteemed judges,
@alessiaglaviano ,
@azubogu ,
@evgenia_arbugaeva ,
@kfmoran and
@patkanephoto .
Follow along as we share our 2026 fellowship winners and mentees, and learn more about the grants and mentorships supporting their work at the link in our profile.
Endless gratitude to our judges:
@alessiaglaviano ,
@azubogu ,
@patkanephoto ,
@evgenia_arbugaeva , and
@kfmoran .
