Deadline: 15 May 2020
The U.S. Consulate General Lahore is committed to supporting efforts which empower journalists in Pakistan to perform their important work to the highest professional standards, as befitting the media’s role in bolstering Pakistan’s democracy. Traditional and new/digital media face challenges in producing impactful content in Punjab, the largest media market in Pakistan. The quality of their work often sets a standard for nationwide media. The U.S. Mission seeks to support a higher-quality media environment, to raise journalistic standards and respect for freedom of press in Pakistan.
They seek proposals which further the professional development of Pakistan’s journalists by training journalists/reporters on monetizing and expanding their skills through new media/visual production training. The training will also promote entrepreneurship, giving participating journalists the skills and confidence to develop new digital platforms for independent media. The project will also help create an atmosphere in which USG messaging can be made more effective. The training will be arranged for both traditional and new/digital media personnel in Lahore through a series of workshops aimed at deepening their digital and visual storytelling skills. The proposal must include a detailed breakdown of topics to be covered during two (2) two-day workshops to be held in summer 2020.
Objectives
As part of the funding, the grantee should solicit American experts working in traditional and new/digital media who can train journalists on how specific topics are dealt with using impactful visuals, which can both contextualize the issue and also get the audience to think about solutions as a community. The workshops should include a field project with the participants to gain a practical understanding of visual storytelling. Topics to be covered by the program should include elements of the following: introduction to visual production for broadcast, script writing and voice recording, group sharing and feedback in a story circle, image preparation and storyboarding, video editing: transitions, effects, music and titles and/or developing a brand and audience. The program should build the capacity of media professionals to create and distribute content that will increase their marketing skills and help them attract advertisers, making them less reliant on government funding and advertising, and contributing to a free press ecosystem. The focus would be on one of Pakistan’s major cities, Lahore. The primary objectives are:
- To increase the technical capacity of Pakistan’s media professionals in visual production for broadcast, script writing, storyboarding, voice recording, video editing, or other skills as identified.
- To increase Pakistan’s media professional’ capability to seek and secure advertising and other market-funded funding sources.
Participants and Audiences
Participants will include working traditional and digital media practitioners, working with a media house or independently.
Funding Information
- award floor: $20,000
- award ceiling: $25,000
- All award activities should be completed within six months from the award start date
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligibility is open to international non-profit organizations. Organizations may sub-award or sub-contract with other entities, but only one non-profit organization can be the prime recipient of the award.
- Pakistan government entities are not eligible to apply.
- For-profit entities are not eligible to be the prime recipient of an award under this NOFO. When sub-awarding or sub-contracting with other entities, the responsibilities of each entity must be clearly defined in the proposal. The applicants must submit proof of their non-profit status with their proposal submission (e.g. proof of 501(c) (3) status, Pakistan NGO license). Applications that do not include proof of non-profit status will not be considered for an award. Individuals are not eligible for an award under this NOFO.
- U.S.-based or registered organizations should provide proof of registration to operate in Pakistan or have a documented agreement with a partner organization registered to operate in Pakistan.
Please ensure:
- The application satisfies all requirements listed in this funding opportunity.
- The proposal clearly addresses the goals and objectives of this funding opportunity.
- All documents are in English.
- All budgets are in U.S. dollars.
- All pages are numbered.
- All documents are formatted to 8 ½ x 11 paper.
- All Microsoft Word documents are single-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font, with a minimum of 1-inch margins.
- All applicant authorized signatures are provided where indicated on the various, required forms
For more information, visit https://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=325892