Deadline: 14-Feb-22
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a pilot project to strengthen investigative journalism in Malta and Cyprus to uncover crime and corruption.
To ensure effective and democratic governance and empower justice systems to fight corruption, it is important that journalists have the capacity to uncover illicit activity and the resources to disseminate their reporting to a broad audience.
To support investigative journalism on the topic of crime and corruption, the U.S. Department of State has allocated $1,000,000 in FY 2020 International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INCLE) funds to this grant opportunity. Foreign assistance will support work in Cyprus, Malta, and other locations as needed to provide journalists with investigative capacity building assistance. Assistance provided through this program will help keep the public informed of possible corruption, bolstering democracy and enhancing transparency. This project may serve as a pilot for future programming in other countries in the region.
Project Goal(s)
Investigative journalists and outlets in Cyprus and Malta can uncover crime and corruption in the region and globally and report the information in easy-to-understand formats and to multiple audiences. Investigative journalism units work on long-term investigative reporting and utilize links to international and regional networks and a range of open-source data to enhance their reporting. Investigative journalists in Cyprus and Malta take necessary precautions to protect their electronic, data, and personal security. They serve as a resource for investigating and corroborating information requested by journalists outside of the region, including on issues related to property and assets maintained by foreign persons. In turn, investigative journalists and criminal justice sector officials in Cyprus and Malta have open lines of communication and officials are aware of relevant information uncovered by journalists.
Project Objectives
- Investigative journalists and media houses in Cyprus and Malta possess the skills and access to information necessary to uncover suspected crime and corruption in their countries, the region, and potentially globally.
- Investigative journalists in Malta and Cyprus possess strong connections with regional and international networks and maintain regular contact.
- Criminal justice sector officials in Cyprus and Malta readily use open-source information and journalism products to develop leads and conduct research on complex crimes. Officials are aware of relevant information produced by investigative journalists and other media sources and regularly use the information to improve their understanding of criminal activity and emerging challenges.
- Investigative journalists in Cyprus and Malta can communicate their findings in an easy-to-understand manner utilizing contemporary media and long-form journalism.
Funding Information
- Length of performance period: 24 months
- Number of awards anticipated: One (1) award
- Award amounts: $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Total available funding: $1,000,000
Participants and Audiences
- Investigative Journalists in Cyprus and Malta
- Criminal justice sector officials in Cyprus and Malta
- Foreign criminal justice sector officials and government regulators Regulatory officials in Cyprus and Malta
- Civil society in Cyprus and Malta
- Non-resident journalists and Civil society in Cyprus and Malta
- Independent subject matter experts Citizens of Cyprus and Malta
Eligibility Criteria
The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S.-based non-profit/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- U.S.-based educational institutions subject to section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. tax code;
- Foreign-based non-profits/non-governmental organizations (NGOs);
- Foreign-based educational institutions
For more information, visit Grants.gov.
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=337010