Grants Opportunity for Media Training for Journalists in the Pakistan

Deadline: 14-Mar-22

The United States Consulate General Peshawar announces this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for a project that focuses on journalism training in the Newly Merged Districts (NMDs) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The United States Consulate General Peshawar intends to support one (1) award as a result of this NOFO.

Background

Public awareness of national decisions and local, national, and international developments is a key component to a functioning democracy.
This awareness depends on well-trained journalists and their ability to report accurately on government and corporate actions. More specifically, journalists must be equipped to research and document factual, credible reporting that includes fact checking.
Credible and accurate reporting, in turn, enables citizens to be engaged on national, regional, and global issues and will support Pakistani democracy.

Project Goal

To improve the professional standards of journalists working in the NMD to provide accurate, fact-based reporting of local, regional, and international news and thereby foster and sustain a more democratic Pakistan.

Project Objectives

The successful grantee will plan and implement a series of structured engagements matching Pakistani and American journalists who are alumni of previous journalism exchange programs with selected journalists in the NMDs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The United States government will provide the grantee with contact details of exchange program alumni who have expressed interest in serving as mentors. Mentors, working in group sessions and through one-to-one interactions, will provide a new cohort of journalists in the NMDs with the skills to conduct investigations, identify reliable sources, and fact-check information.
These skills should be taught with an understanding of national, regional and global issues, including the ways in which they overlap.
This program should also cover best practices on establishing journalistic accuracy and credibility.
Mentors will provide participants with feedback on reportage, assessing the professional development of their proteges Successful training through this program should be innovative and strengthen each participant’s ability to report on national and regional topics, such as: development challenges in the region, environmental issues, corruption, regional security, and other pressing concerns.
This program should also help establish regional connections and create a sustainable network of journalists who can continue to learn from each other after the project concludes.

Funding Information

Funding Mechanism Type: Grant
Estimated Total Project Funding: $35,000
Estimated Award Ceiling: $35,000
Estimated Award Floor: $20,000
Length of Project Period: Six to eight months
Anticipated program start date: October 1, 2022

The Public Affairs Section reserves the right to award less or more than the funds described under circumstances deemed to be in the best interest of the U.S. government, pending the availability of funds and approval of the designated grants officer.

Project Audience(s)

25 to 30 new to mid-level professional journalists working in the NMDs of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan.
Those selected should have fewer than ten years professional experience. At least 50% of the participants must be women.

Eligibility Information

The following non-profit only organizations are eligible to apply: