Deadline: 3 January 2020
Freedom House is currently accepting applications for funding and support from local, registered non-governmental organizations and coalitions based in the Republic of Moldova, the Eastern Partnership Region, and the European Union that seek to raise awareness about press freedom, freedom of expression, and independent media in the Republic of Moldova, including among the public, marginalized communities, government, local authorities, and other sectors.
This activity is part of the USAID and UK aid-funded project, “Media Enabling Democracy, Inclusion and Accountability in Moldova” (MEDIA-M) and implemented by Internews in Moldova, which aims to promote the development of an independent, professional media, and to create a media sector that is more resilient to political and financial pressures.
Objectives
The “Media Freedom Matters” grants program will serve the following objectives:
- To provide financial support to longer-term advocacy initiatives, public campaigns, and other activities that seek to raise public awareness about freedom of expression and press freedom among the general public in the Republic of Moldova;
- To provide essential technical support, assistance, and tools to new initiatives or campaigns in order to leverage their impact to strengthen public trust in independent Moldovan media and fact-based journalism in the age of disinformation;
- To bolster broader regional efforts to encourage Moldovan citizens’ active engagement with media, and advocate for a government that is accountable, ensuring equal and impartial access to media distribution services in Moldova.
Award Information
- Freedom House will select up to two (2) advocacy initiatives for up to $10,000 in funding each.
- The selection decisions will be made by January 31, 2020. Freedom House intends to fund projects beginning in March 2020.
Thematic Areas
Applications will be considered in the following thematic areas:
- Raise awareness about freedom of expression/free press among the general public in the Republic of Moldova;
- Strengthen public trust in independent Moldovan media in the age of disinformation;
- Promote fact-based journalism and opinion exchange;
- Encourage citizens’ active engagement with the media in Moldova;
- Target the government to ensure its commitment to a free press in the Republic of Moldova.
Initiatives aimed at strengthening the role of media in advancing accountability for corruption, human rights abuses, or other violations that are focused on using, developing, or supporting domestic approaches and processes are encouraged.
Priority will be given to Moldovan regional- and local-level initiatives and campaigns, especially those that focus on Russian-speaking communities within the Republic of Moldova. Applications to this announcement should demonstrate an understanding of main organizational and/or campaign needs and a desire to address them with the support of Freedom House.
Priority will be given to organizations and initiatives that see themselves as media freedom or support organizations, or agents of transparency, accountability, and democratic development. In addition, priority will be given to those initiatives addressing local- or regional-level freedom of expression or press freedom issues.
Eligibility Criteria
Only non-commercial organizations, associations, initiatives, and foundations active in the Republic of Moldova, the European Union, or the Eastern Partnership are eligible for participation in this program. Individuals and government, quasi-government, or commercial agencies and bodies are not eligible for funding.
Evaluation Criteria
Applicants have broad latitude to design projects under this call, but applications will also be evaluated on the following criteria:
- Clear vision – does the applicant clearly articulate an advocacy or outreach goal, target groups, and the tools for their initiative?
- Innovativeness – does the applicant propose innovative approaches, including through the use of technology, to distribute its content, engage the public, raise awareness, or advocate for greater respect for freedom of expression and press freedom in the Republic of Moldova?
- Partnerships and engagement – does the applicant plan to develop strategic partnerships with the media, civil society organizations, the human rights community, or government agencies?
- Audience and reach – does the applicant have a regional or local focus, as well as a clear idea of its current and/or desired audience and how to engage and serve the needs of that audience?
- Non-discrimination and human rights – does the applicant take into account how nationality, ethnicity, language, gender identity, sexual orientation, physical/mental abilities and other distinguishing human characteristics are portrayed in the media and articulate strategies for supporting non-discrimination and inclusiveness? Does the project reach marginalized communities or populations? Does their project demonstrate a commitment to and emphasis on human rights?
- Organizational development readiness – does the application clearly demonstrate the capacity to implement the proposed initiative?
For more information, visit https://freedomhouse.org/program/moldova-media-freedom-matters