Deadline: 25-Sep-20
Europe Foundation continues to support civic monitoring and advocacy efforts for more accountable, transparent, and needs-based public policy making in Georgia. To this end, the Foundation initiated a program in support for watchdog journalism, which is designed to aid the journalists, media outlets, CSOs, and civic activists that strive to expose poor governance in Georgia
The legal aid grants awarded under this opportunity seek to develop the capacity of the selected institutions, so that they continue to work in this area without grant support from the Foundation. Consequently, this series of grants will offer training and mentorship opportunities from international partner institutions that have a track record of supporting medial legal defense, including on digital rights and online freedom of expression.
Goals & Objectives
The goal of the grant competition is to support the watchdog function of the Georgian media by providing legal assistance to journalists, media outlets, and civic activists in their efforts to expose corruption and poor governance in Georgian.
The primary objectives of the call are as follows:
- To provide legal advice and representation to journalists, media outlets, CSOs, and civic activists, including EPF grantees that face legal or administrative proceedings as a result of their investigative journalism work.
- To advise journalists, media organizations, and CSOs on various elements of constantly changing media law.
- To build the institutional and thematic capacities of the grantee institution, to encourage specialization in the media law and to foster an understanding of international standards regarding media freedoms.
Funding Information
Maximum grant award for each proposal is GEL 55,000. The minimum duration of the project is 12 month and maximum duration 16 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- Non-profit civil society organizations legally registered in Georgia are eligible to submit proposals for the call.
- Civil servants, members of the current parliament, staff of the public broadcaster, and/or leaders and members of political parties cannot participate in a grant project as a grant remunerated participant.
Selection Criteria
Grants will be awarded to projects demonstrating the following:
- Demonstrated understanding of legal assistance needs of journalists, media outlets, and CSOs engaged in investigative journalism work
- Qualified cadre of legal professionals retained to provide quality legal assistance to the target groups
- Proven record of providing legal services to various segments of Georgia’s population
- Innovative, results-oriented, and feasible action plans
- Well configured public awareness component, which will ensure that the public is fully aware of the pro bono legal assistance offered by the applicant.
For more information, visit http://www.epfound.ge/request-for-proposals-legal-aid-grants-to-support-investigative-journalists-and-media-outlets/