Youth and Media for Responsible Business Practices Small Grants for Media Organisation in Malaysia

Deadline: 27-May-25

The United Nations Development Programme is inviting media-focused civil society organizations to submit proposals for a small grant that aims to advance issue-based reporting by producing high-quality communications content on critical issues related to corporate accountability to the environment and/or climate change.

Funding Information

Under the small grants programme, UNDP will contribute up to 20,000 USD to one CSO.

Priority Areas

Produce a 3-part data storytelling series that highlight critical human or environmental issues covering corporate accountability to the environment and/or climate change in Malaysia, with a focus on successful BHR+E initiatives, policies, or community-led actions;
Highlight the perspectives of underrepresented communities disproportionately affected by climate/environmental-linked challenges caused by impacts of businesses, featuring local experiences, and incorporating cultural and gender-sensitive approaches;
Employing new innovative media approaches to storytelling in media outputs, such as long-form “scrollytelling”, visual storytelling (e.g. mini documentary/video series), and/or data-driven journalism/storytelling to mobilize public awareness and action.

Eligibility Criteria

Only non-governmental and independent media-focused civil society organisations registered in Malaysia, active for at least the last 3 years, which promote independent, and quality journalism can apply for this grant.
Unregistered media collectives or informal groups may also apply, provided they do so in partnership with an eligible registered organization that will serve as the lead applicant and grant recipient.
Demonstrated experience in producing high-quality, in-depth journalism pieces related to environmental or social issues.
Able to produce a list of similar projects/samples (minimum of 3) executed over the past three years by the organisation.
Proposals should be focus on humans or environmental issues related to corporate accountability to the environment and/or climate change and relevant to the local or regional context.
Proposals should promote positive advocacy approaches to B+HR and the environment.
To ensure alignments with the grant’s objectives, proposals must include a detailed storyboard outlining their proposed topics, sources, and methodology for review and approval by the UNDP project team before production begins. Proposals must also include a risk assessment addressing potential political, legal, or safety concerns related to their reporting, along with mitigation measures.