Deadline: 10-Jan-23
The USAID Civil Society and Media Activity (CSM) has announced the call for proposals from qualified media-related civil society organizations (CSOs) to submit concept notes for the Media Fellowship Challenge Fund.
The Challenge Fund is funded by USAID/Nepal through Civil Society and Media (CSM)-STAND-LWA, with The Asia Foundation as lead implementer. The Challenge Fund opportunities are intended to complement the Government of Nepal’s (GON) efforts and private sector innovations that strengthen inclusive governance and democratic principles.
Objectives of the Challenge Fund
- This Challenge Fund is an opportunity to design and deliver Media Fellowships for new and emerging journalists from women, youth, and marginalized communities who want to pursue or advance their careers in media/journalism in Lumbini and Madhesh provinces.
- The key goal is to expand the space for media to promote public interest in and support CSOs led by and for women, youth, and marginalized communities. The objectives of the Media Fellowship Challenge Fund are to increase the participation, skills, and networks of WYM groups so that they can set their own narratives in the media ecosystem and have accurate and high-quality WYM stories and reports published in mainstream, local and nontraditional media.
- The Challenge Fund seeks to provide the following opportunities and activities:
- Better representation of WYM issues and interest in mainstream media
- Highlight the issues related to accountable, responsive, and inclusive governance in the interest of WYM
- Encourage the advancement of alternative media to improve the availability of credible and diverse narratives of WYM issues
- Support independent journalists from WYM communities and encourage young and emerging journalists to pursue careers in journalism and media
- Improve access to skill-building opportunities through 6 to 12-month fellowships (including stipends) for women, youth, or individuals from marginalized backgrounds.
- Build a network of journalists from WYM communities from Kathmandu and Madhesh, and Lumbini provinces
- Improve the media spaces to make them more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible
- Improve access to skills for high-quality and responsible journalism
Funding Information
- Applicants can apply for grants from NPR 15,00,000 to NPR 12,865,000 (not exceeding USD 100,000).
- The Asia Foundation will grant awards to multiple applicants, one of whose focus should be education-related journalism. The Asia Foundation has no preference for funding level and will evaluate applications on the merit of the program with no prejudice against levels of funding sought.
- Duration: The grant implementation period should be at least eight months and not longer than 14 months. The implementation period is to be driven by the logic of the program and no other consideration.
Eligibility Criteria
- Grants will be open to civil society organizations registered in Nepal and led by Nepali citizens. Local organizations registered in Madhesh and Lumbini are encouraged to apply. Organizations should clearly mention the province they will work in.
- At least one grant will be awarded to Madhesh Province and Lumbini Province, with each grant expected to support at least 10 to 20 fellows.
- The organizations should support fellows in each province (Lumbini and Madhesh) who are upcoming or already working journalists or media/journalism students and want to deepen their skills in media/journalism for six months to one year.
- The fellowship should be provided to individuals who identify as women, youth, or belonging to marginalized communities and plan to advance their career in media/journalism on the issues of women, youth, and marginalized groups.
- The fellowship should be for individuals living in Madhesh and Lumbini provinces, and fellowship activities should also take place in these two provinces.
- Media-related CSOs or CSOs run by women, youth, and marginalized communities are highly encouraged to apply.
- Organizations should have a track record in working in media/journalism (not limited to print media) and should be inclusive in their approaches.
- Applications may be submitted in English or Nepali.
Ineligible
The Media Fellowship Challenge Fund cannot be used for the following:
- Construction: This award does not allow for construction activities or costs.
- Pre-award costs: Pre-award costs are not an allowable expense for this funding opportunity.
- Program activities: Activities that are not typically funded include, but are not limited to:
- Profit-generating projects o Scholarships to support educational opportunities or study for individuals
- Paying to complete activities begun with other funds;
- Financial support for fundraising or fund development projects
- Projects that are inherently political in nature or that contain the appearance of partisanship/support to an individual or single party
- Political party and lobbying activities
- Projects that support specific religious activities
- Microloans/microfinance projects, distribution of seed money for enterprises, and legal/land rights-focused programs.
For more information, visit USAID.
