Bureau of DRL: Seeking Applications for Quality Infotainment in Eurasia Program

Deadline: 22 July 2016

The United States Department of State Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is seeking applications for projects from eligible organisations to fund a program entitled “Quality Infotainment in Eurasia” with an aim to that expand the reach of objective information available through local and regional media in Eurasia and help fill the gap in quality entertaining, yet informative programming.

DRL prefers innovative and creative approaches rather than projects that simply duplicate or add to efforts by other entities. This does not exclude projects that clearly build off existing successful projects in a new and innovative way from consideration. It also strives to ensure its projects advance the rights and uphold the dignity of the most vulnerable or at-risk populations.

Funding Information: Subject to the availability of funding, DRL anticipates having approximately $2,100,000 available to support approximately one successful application.

Project Priorities

Projects should encourage the production of innovative, locally-relevant television and mobile programming through infotainment formats to cover issues and trends in the Eurasia region.
Activities could include fellowships and mentorships for local and regional TV producers and journalists; grants competition for production of infotainment and documentary programs, as well as mobile games, and applications; and work with regional and local media to develop distribution networks for the content created.
The program should actively reach out to sections of society which are crucial in the process of change: journalists, bloggers and online activists; selected professional groups, such as critical filmmakers and artists; and also opinion makers, researchers, and thinkers.
Special efforts should be made to address younger generations in the region, including those whose opinions have been shaped in the post-USSR context, and building regional networks and supporting regional collaboration.
The program should emphasize innovative content formats, including cutting-edge documentary and satire, which are largely absent from the television programming offered to Russian-language audiences.
Projects should have the potential to have an immediate impact leading to long-term sustainable reforms, and should have potential for continued funding beyond DRL resources.

Eligibility Criteria

DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/non-government organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses.
DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
For-profit entities should be aware that its application may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process and that the Department of State generally prohibits profit under its assistance awards to for-profit or commercial organizations.
Applicants must have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in country partners, entities and relevant stakeholders including industry and NGOs and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects.
DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs head-quartered in the geographic regions/countries.
DRL reserves the right to request additional background information on applicants that do not have previous experience administering federal grant awards, and these applicants may be subject to limited funding on a pilot basis.
DRL is committed to an anti-discrimination policy in all of its projects and activities.
DRL welcomes applications irrespective of an applicant’s race, ethnicity, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other status.
DRL encourages applications from organizations working with the most at risk and vulnerable communities, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, members of ethnic or religious minority groups, and LGBTI persons.