Deadline: 17-Jul-24
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that support the sustainability of independent media in Ukraine.
DRL aims to support Ukraine’s independent local/regional media outlets to replenish their workforce and prepare a new cadre of media professionals and support staff such as sales and grant managers. As the media industry has shifted to address new wartime realities, the sector needs to revamp its sustainability models to survive during the war period and thrive once the war concludes.
Objectives
- To address some of the current operational challenges faced by local/regional independent media outlets in Ukraine, DRL’s project should pursue objectives that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- local/regional media outlets increase their human resource capacity and skills to withstand market challenges; and
- regional and/or local media outlets are better equipped, including financially and technologically, to survive in the current wartime environment.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Floor: $740,009 FY23 AEECA Supplemental
- Total Funding Ceiling: $740,009 FY23 AEECA Supplemental
- Period of Performance: 12-36 months
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
Project Activities
- Project activities may include, but are not limited to:
- providing journalism training and tailored skills building opportunities to local media professionals and support staff, particularly new professionals;
- supporting existing networks and developing new connections between established, urban media outlets and smaller local/regional media entities;
- offering stipends, paid internships, and mentorship to individuals interested in entering the media profession;
- rendering digital and physical security training and resources, as well as psychosocial support to regional and/or local journalists;
- maintaining or expanding existing media networks by developing new connections between media and civil society groups to inform each other’s work and collaborate on initiatives of mutual interest;
- introducing media outlets to new tools and strategies, including SMM and SEO, to better understand media audiences; and
- creating small grants programs to cover journalist salaries, content production, travel, equipment/technology, and/or other needs on an interim basis.
Ineligible Activities
- Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
- The provision of humanitarian assistance;
- English language instruction;
- Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
- Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
- External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
- Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
- Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity building for local civil society;
- Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
- Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.
Eligibility Criteria
- DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental 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 some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
- Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR).
Languages
- All documents are in English and all costs are in U.S. Dollars. If an original document within the application is in another language, an English translation must be provided. If any document is provided in both English and a foreign language, the English language version is the controlling version.
For more information, visit Grants.gov.