Apply Now: Small Grant for Media Organisations (Malaysia)

The Small Grant for Media Organisations provides up to USD 35,000 to support independent journalism on business, human rights, and environmental (BHR+E) issues in Malaysia. Funded through UNDP, the grant supports media-focused civil society organizations producing innovative, data-driven storytelling that promotes corporate accountability, environmental protection, and implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.

Small Grant for Media Organisations

The Small Grant for Media Organisations supports media initiatives that strengthen public awareness and dialogue on business, human rights, and environmental (BHR+E) issues in Malaysia.

The program funds high-quality journalism projects that use innovative storytelling techniques to examine corporate accountability, environmental and climate issues, and the experiences of affected communities while encouraging youth engagement and gender-responsive reporting.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Increase youth engagement on business, human rights, and environmental issues.
Support the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Strengthen the capacity of media professionals to report on business, human rights, and environmental rights.
Promote gender-responsive journalism.
Encourage dialogue between media professionals and young people through regional and national discussions.
Improve public understanding of corporate accountability and environmental sustainability.

Funding Priorities

Projects should focus on producing a three-part data storytelling series covering business, human rights, and environmental issues.

Priority topics include:

Corporate accountability for environmental protection.
Climate change and business impacts.
Successful business and human rights (BHR+E) initiatives.
Policies supporting responsible business practices.
Community-led environmental actions.
Experiences of underrepresented communities affected by environmental and climate challenges.
Topics aligned with Malaysia’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025–2030).

Eligible Storytelling Formats

Applicants are encouraged to use innovative media approaches, including:

Long-form journalism.
Visual storytelling.
Data-driven journalism.
Short documentaries.
Video series.
Multimedia reporting.
Interactive digital storytelling.

Each proposal should include a clear dissemination strategy to maximize audience reach and engagement.

Grant Amount

The program provides:

Up to USD 35,000.

Funding will be awarded to one eligible civil society organization.

Eligible Applicants

Applications are open to:

Registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Malaysia.
Independent media-focused civil society organizations registered in Malaysia.

Applicants must:

Be registered in Malaysia.
Have been active for at least three years.
Promote independent and quality journalism.

Partnership Opportunities

Unregistered media collectives and informal groups may also participate by partnering with an eligible registered organization.

The registered partner must:

Act as the lead applicant.
Receive and administer the grant.
Be responsible for project implementation and reporting.

Experience Requirements

Applicants must demonstrate experience in producing high-quality journalism.

Applications should include:

At least three examples of similar journalism projects completed during the past three years.
Evidence of experience covering environmental, social, or human rights issues.

Proposal Requirements

Proposals should:

Focus on human rights and environmental issues related to corporate accountability.
Address climate change or business-related environmental impacts.
Reflect local or regional priorities.
Promote constructive advocacy on business, human rights, and the environment.

Applicants must also submit:

Storyboard

A detailed storyboard outlining:

Proposed reporting topics.
Preliminary information sources.
Research methodology.
Planned storytelling approach.

The storyboard must be reviewed and approved by the UNDP project team before production begins.

Risk Assessment

Applicants must provide a risk assessment covering:

Political risks.
Legal risks.
Safety risks.
Risk mitigation measures.

Program Benefits

The Small Grant for Media Organisations helps to:

Strengthen investigative and data-driven journalism.
Increase awareness of business and human rights issues.
Promote environmental accountability.
Amplify the voices of underrepresented communities.
Encourage youth participation in public dialogue.
Support innovative and impactful storytelling.
Advance responsible business practices through public engagement.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can improve their chances of success by:

Demonstrating strong journalism experience.
Presenting a compelling data storytelling concept.
Showing relevance to Malaysia’s business and human rights priorities.
Including innovative multimedia storytelling methods.
Providing a detailed dissemination plan.
Preparing a comprehensive storyboard.
Identifying reporting risks and appropriate mitigation measures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the Small Grant for Media Organisations?

Registered Malaysian non-governmental organizations and independent media-focused civil society organizations with at least three years of experience may apply. Unregistered media collectives may participate by partnering with an eligible registered organization.

How much funding is available?

The program provides up to USD 35,000 to one eligible organization.

What types of projects are supported?

The grant supports a three-part data storytelling series on business, human rights, environmental protection, climate change, corporate accountability, and related issues using innovative journalism formats.

What journalism formats are eligible?

Eligible formats include long-form journalism, visual storytelling, data-driven reporting, short documentaries, video series, multimedia projects, and other innovative digital storytelling approaches.

What supporting documents are required?

Applicants must submit a detailed storyboard outlining the proposed topics, sources, and methodology, along with a risk assessment identifying political, legal, and safety considerations and proposed mitigation measures.

What experience must applicants demonstrate?

Applicants must provide at least three examples of similar high-quality journalism projects completed within the past three years, demonstrating experience in reporting on environmental, social, or human rights issues.

Conclusion

The Small Grant for Media Organisations offers up to USD 35,000 to strengthen independent journalism on business, human rights, and environmental issues in Malaysia. By supporting innovative, data-driven storytelling, the program aims to increase public awareness of corporate accountability, amplify the voices of affected communities, encourage youth engagement, and promote implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and Malaysia’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights (2025–2030).