Request for Applications (RFA) for USAID Media Program

Request for Applications (RFA) for USAID Media Program

I. SUMMARY:

The USAID Media Program is a five-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by the International Research and Exchange Board (IREX).  The USAID Media Program supports a vibrant, resilient, networked media sector that provides Georgia’s citizens and diverse communities with the civically relevant, fact-based independent information they need to build a more just, prosperous, and inclusive society.

 

II. PURPOSE:

To promote informed citizenship and bolster independent journalism, the USAID Georgia Media Program, implemented by IREX, invites applications from media outlets. We seek proposals for effective approaches to produce fact-based, civically relevant reporting and investigative content through traditional and non-traditional media.

Applicants may apply to any of the following grant categories, either to one grant category or to multiple grant categories.

Grant applications for multiple categories must be tailored to each category. Multiple categories may be applied to. Applicants must submit a separate Attachment A. Application for Funding and Attachment B. Budget and Budget Narrative for each category you are applying to.

  1.  Public Interest Reporting: Applicants are expected to deliver comprehensive and sustained coverage of topics which are important and relevant to Georgian people, employing diverse storytelling formats and techniques. Media are encouraged to consider the latest public opinion poll findings of NDI and IRI which highlight issues citizens are concerned about. (Online media platforms only.)
  2.  Investigations: Applicants are expected to present impartial and comprehensible investigative pieces or a series in any format. The proposed topics may relate to current events in the country or enduring issues such as government accountability, justice, corruption, environment issues, local issues, etc. (All media platforms eligible.)
  3.  EU Integration: Applicants should propose impartial, fact-based coverage on Georgia’s progress towards EU candidate status and integration into the European community, including Georgia’s efforts to fulfill the nine recommendations set by the EU Commission for Georgia for the country to achieve candidate status, and the Government of Georgia’s Action Plan commitments to meet the recommendations. (All media platforms eligible.)

Please click here to download the Request for Application (RFA) and application.

 

III. LOCATION OF ACTIVITIES:

The geographic focus under consideration includes the following countries for regional activities: Georgia.

 

IV. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES:

  1. Preserve and strengthen an enabling environment that fosters press freedom and access to information.
  2. Increased business innovation and viability of media outlets   
  3. Increase the availability of civically relevant, fact-based, independent sources of information.

 

V. APPLICANTS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

The applicant / application must meet the following requirements:

  • Organizational applicants must be officially registered as a legal entity in Georgia and working in compliance with all applicable civil and fiscal regulations, including, but not limited to pertinent local laws and status.  In lieu of official registration, a Sub awardee may show proof of effort to secure registration, exemption from registration, or show cause why such registration is either not optional or practicable.
  • Meet the project objectives and principles.
  • Contain expected outcomes and results consistent with and linked to the project objectives.
  • Have produced a high-quality body of work that consistently demonstrates adherence to strong editorial principles of neutrality, impartiality, and robust fact-checking.
  • Be committed to upholding the principles of the Georgian Charter of Journalistic Ethics (GCJE), or similarly robust journalism principles.
  • The applicant is not a debarred organization or individual.
  • Located in Georgia.

Eligible Entities:  

  • Georgian Nongovernment Organizations
  • National and regional broadcast media 
  • National, regional, and local online media 
  • National, regional, and local print media

 

VI. Cost share Requirements:

Cost share is not required.

 

VII. Award Information

Subject to the availability of funds, the USAID Media Program expects to award the following:

  1. Up to 12 Fixed Amount Awards (FAA) sub-awards to eligible organizations under the Public Interest grant pool to cover topics that impact Georgian citizens' everyday lives. Applicants are expected to deliver comprehensive and sustained coverage of topics which are important and relevant to Georgian people, employing diverse storytelling formats and techniques. Media are encouraged to consider the latest public opinion poll findings of NDI and IRI which highlight issues citizens are concerned about. The total amount available for this activity is $110,000, with a ceiling of $15,000 per grant. The expected duration of IREX’s support or the period of performance is up to 10 months, with an anticipated start day of March 1, 2024.
  2. Up to 7 Fixed Amount Awards (FAA) sub-awards to eligible organizations under the Investigations grant pool to create impartial and comprehensible investigative pieces or a series in any format. The proposed topics may relate to current events in the country or enduring issues such as government accountability, justice, corruption, local issues, etc. The total amount available for this activity is $85,000, with a ceiling of $15,000 per grant. The expected duration of IREX’s support or the period of performance is up to 10 months, with an anticipated start day of March 1, 2024.
  3. Up to 5 Fixed Amount Awards (FAA) sub-awards to eligible organizations under the EU Integration grant pool to produce impartial, fact-based coverage of how Georgia is continuing to deepen its integration with the West – in particular coverage of Georgia’s efforts to fulfill the nine recommendations set by the EU Commission for Georgia for the country to achieve candidate status, and the Government of Georgia’s Action Plan commitments to meet the recommendations. Applicants are required to provide comprehensive and unbiased coverage, using a variety of storytelling formats and techniques. The produced content should highlight how the subject impacts the lives of Georgian citizens. (All media platforms eligible.) The total amount available for this activity is $50,000, with a ceiling of $10,000 per grant. The expected duration of IREX’s support or the period of performance is 10 months, with an anticipated start day of March 1, 2024.

Eligible organizations may apply to multiple categories but cannot submit more than one application per category.

The USAID Media Program reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications submitted.

The USAID Media Program reserves the right to request a pre-publication legal review of stories produced under the grant. This process will be confidential between the applicant and the legal expert and aims to help protect journalists from potential lawsuits or complaints by ensuring that applicants’ work is well-researched, fact-based, and complies with Georgian law.