Apply Now: International Fund for Independent Media Proposals

The International Fund – Strengthening What Works: Investing in the Future of Public Interest Media in Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine provides two-year grants to independent media organizations to strengthen financial sustainability, organizational resilience, and public interest journalism. With average grants of approximately USD 200,000, the programme supports proven business models, revenue diversification, innovation, and long-term operational stability for media organizations.

International Fund Grants for Independent Media in Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine

What is the International Fund Grant Programme?

The International Fund’s Strengthening What Works: Investing in the Future of Public Interest Media in Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine is a funding initiative that supports independent media organizations working to deliver high-quality public interest journalism.

The programme helps media organizations strengthen their financial sustainability, improve operational resilience, diversify revenue streams, and adapt to changing audience needs. It builds on previous donor investments by supporting organizations with proven business models while encouraging innovation and long-term organizational development.

The initiative recognizes that independent journalism plays a vital role in combating disinformation, promoting democratic values, and ensuring access to reliable information.

Funding Overview

Selected organizations will receive grants covering a two-year implementation period.

Funding details include:

Average grant amount: Approximately USD 200,000
Grant duration: 2 years
Grant size is based on:
- Organizational size.
- Operational capacity.
- Demonstrated financial need.

To remain eligible:

The International Fund’s annual contribution must not exceed 30% of the organization’s average annual turnover.

Applicants are encouraged to request funding that aligns with their financial capacity and long-term sustainability strategy.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

Strengthen financially sustainable media organizations.
Improve organizational resilience.
Support public interest journalism.
Consolidate successful business models.
Encourage innovative revenue strategies.
Diversify income sources.
Strengthen organizational capacity.
Adapt to changing audience behaviors.
Promote long-term financial sustainability.
Protect independent journalism in challenging environments.

Priority Funding Areas

The programme supports projects that strengthen independent media through several strategic areas.

Financial Sustainability

Eligible activities include:

Improving long-term financial planning.
Strengthening revenue generation.
Increasing financial stability.
Building sustainable media operations.

Business Model Development

Funding supports:

Expansion of proven business models.
Scaling successful operational approaches.
Improving commercial sustainability.
Developing diversified income strategies.

Innovation

Projects may include:

Testing new business models.
Developing innovative audience engagement strategies.
Exploring digital revenue opportunities.
Piloting sustainable operational approaches.

Public Interest Journalism

The programme prioritizes organizations that:

Produce independent journalism.
Serve underserved communities.
Counter misinformation and disinformation.
Promote reliable public information.
Strengthen democratic participation.

Organizational Capacity

Funding may support:

Institutional strengthening.
Operational improvements.
Staff capacity development.
Organizational resilience planning.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include independent media organizations operating in:

Ukraine.
Moldova.
Armenia.

Organizations should:

Demonstrate financial improvement following the 2025 funding crisis.
Continue facing financial sustainability challenges.
Produce public interest journalism.
Show commitment to long-term organizational resilience.
Demonstrate the ability to adapt to changing audience needs.

Who is Not Eligible?

Organizations may not qualify if they:

Operate outside Armenia, Moldova, or Ukraine.
Fail to meet the eligibility verification requirements.
Request funding exceeding the programme’s turnover limit.
Cannot demonstrate financial need or sustainability planning.
Submit incomplete applications or required documentation.

Why This Grant Matters

Independent media organizations face increasing financial pressures while serving an essential democratic function.

This programme helps organizations:

Maintain editorial independence.
Improve financial resilience.
Expand sustainable business operations.
Reduce dependence on donor funding.
Combat disinformation.
Serve vulnerable and underserved communities.
Strengthen access to trustworthy journalism.
Build long-term organizational stability.

How to Apply

Applicants should complete the following process:

Step 1: Submit the Eligibility Verification Form

Organizations first submit an Eligibility Verification Form to confirm they meet the programme requirements.

Step 2: Receive the Full Application

Eligible organizations are invited to complete the full funding application.

Step 3: Prepare the Proposal

Applicants develop a detailed two-year operational plan that explains:

Organizational objectives.
Financial sustainability strategy.
Revenue diversification plans.
Organizational development activities.
Expected outcomes.

Step 4: Submit Supporting Documents

Organizations submit all required financial and organizational documentation.

Step 5: Eligibility Review

The International Fund reviews applications to verify eligibility and completeness.

Step 6: Independent Expert Evaluation

An independent panel of media experts evaluates eligible proposals.

Selection Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

Contribution to public interest journalism.
Service to underserved communities.
Ability to counter disinformation and foreign influence.
Quality of the two-year operational plan.
Organizational capacity.
Financial sustainability.
Revenue stabilization and diversification.
Long-term resilience.
Operational strengths.
Overall feasibility of the proposed activities.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Present a realistic two-year sustainability strategy.
Demonstrate proven operational success.
Show measurable financial improvements.
Explain revenue diversification plans clearly.
Highlight audience engagement strategies.
Provide strong financial documentation.
Demonstrate measurable organizational impact.
Show how funding will reduce long-term financial dependence.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

Requesting funding beyond the allowable turnover threshold.
Submitting incomplete financial documentation.
Providing weak sustainability plans.
Failing to explain revenue diversification.
Ignoring audience engagement strategies.
Presenting unrealistic operational goals.
Missing required application documents.
Submitting applications after the deadline.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the International Fund grant programme?

It is a two-year funding programme supporting independent media organizations in Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine to strengthen financial sustainability, organizational resilience, and public interest journalism.

2. Who can apply?

Independent media organizations operating in Ukraine, Moldova, or Armenia that meet the programme’s eligibility requirements may apply.

3. How much funding is available?

Average grants are expected to be approximately USD 200,000, with final award amounts based on organizational size, capacity, and financial need.

4. How long do funded projects last?

Each grant supports activities over a two-year period.

5. How does the application process work?

Applicants first submit an Eligibility Verification Form. Eligible organizations then receive access to the full application, which is reviewed by the International Fund and evaluated by an independent panel of media experts.

6. What evaluation criteria are used?

Applications are assessed based on public interest journalism, organizational capacity, financial sustainability, revenue diversification, operational planning, resilience, and the ability to serve communities vulnerable to disinformation.

7. Why is this programme important?

The programme strengthens independent journalism by helping media organizations build sustainable business models, improve financial resilience, reduce dependence on donor funding, and continue delivering reliable information to communities facing misinformation and other challenges.

Conclusion

The International Fund’s Strengthening What Works: Investing in the Future of Public Interest Media in Armenia, Moldova, and Ukraine provides critical support for independent media organizations seeking long-term financial sustainability and operational resilience. Through two-year grants averaging approximately USD 200,000, the programme enables media organizations to strengthen proven business models, diversify revenue sources, enhance organizational capacity, and continue delivering trusted public interest journalism. Eligible organizations with a clear sustainability strategy and a strong commitment to serving their communities are encouraged to apply.