Promoting media literacy and accurate information in Kosovo
Deadline for submission: 8 June 2020
Duration of each project: Up to 6 months (Projects need to be completed by January 2021)
Size of individual grants: 3.000 GBP (paid in local currency) plus requested input and assistance from consultants who are experts in content creation, if needed.
General information
Albany Associates (www.albanyassociates.com), Mediacentar Sarajevo (https://media.ba), and News Agency KosovaLive (www.kosovalive.org) along with regional media development organisations, are implementing a project called “Promoting Media Information Literacy and Strengthening Independent Media in the Western Balkans”. The project’s primary goals are to build the capacity of media professionals and journalism students in verification, fact-checking, content production and other reporting competencies; and to enhance public service broadcasters’ understanding of media and information literacy (MIL) and to improve their ability to deliver MIL campaigns to the public. The project is being implemented in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. Under this call published by News Agency KosovaLive, only media outlets registered in Kosovo are eligible to apply. A maximum of two awards will be made.
Objectives of the call
In order to support quality journalism and improve media literacy among audiences in the region, Albany Associates and News Agency KosovaLive (www.kosovalive.org) are seeking applications for content production grants, with the following specific objectives (applicants can choose between the two, or combine them):
1. Providing audiences in Kosovo access to high quality, innovative media content that will help them to better understand the role of media and the importance of professional and independent journalism.
2. Helping audiences safely and responsibly navigate information concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, thus increasing critical thinking and reducing the harmful effects of mis/disinformation around the topic.
Who is eligible to apply?
Media outlets (print, TV, radio, online media) satisfying following criteria:
– Registered in Kosovo, proven by registration document
– Have at least two years of experience operating as a media outlet in Kosovo, proven by registration document
– Have the ability to reach audiences, proven by data demonstrating the outlet’s web site statistics, circulation, reach, etc.
– Have the ability to produce media content, proven by samples that have been published/aired/posted
Applications not meeting the above criteria will not be considered.
Each media outlet can only submit one application.
Co-productions are also allowed, with one applicant stated as the lead, and others as co-applicant(s). In the case of co-production, all eligibility criteria apply to both the lead applicant and co-applicant(s).
Please note that this project tries to ensure that support initiatives such as this are not duplicated and overly concentrated within any one media outlet. As such, media outlets receiving support under other FCO-funded efforts may ultimately not be selected to receive funds under this call.
What content forms and topics will be supported?
Although media outlets can propose content on any medium, preference will be given to multimedia content with the potential to be further promoted and distributed via social media platforms.
Proposed topics should stem from the specific objectives of the call identified above and may include, but are not limited to, the following examples:
– The role of media and journalism in safeguarding freedom of speech;
– Criteria to assess quality and credible journalism, critically assessing media content both online and offline;
– Online safety and data protection;
– Transparency of media financing and media ownership;
– Recognising inaccurate information in the media;
– Providing accurate information to counter misleading or false information concerning the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic;
– Helping audiences recognise trustworthy sources of information on the COVID-19 pandemic over misleading and false information; and/or
– Providing fact-based reporting on such topics as challenges to local economies, respect for human rights, marginalised and/or vulnerable groups, education or media freedom in the light of the COVID -19 pandemic.
Eligibility of costs
The following costs related to content production will be considered eligible:
– Salaries and accompanying fringe benefits
– Production-related costs such as travel, equipment and similar expenses.
How to apply?
Application form and budget template
Applications must be submitted in English, using both the application form and budget template.
Supporting documents
Each application must be accompanied by:
– Scanned copy of the organisation’s registration document (for lead applicant and any co-applicants).
– Samples of previous production demonstrating ability to produce media content, preferably with links to previously published content (for lead applicant and any co-applicants).
– Completed budget form that can be downloaded here
When and how to send the application
All applications must be received by 8 June 2020. Applications received after the deadline will not be considered. Applications must be submitted via email to grants@kosovalive.org with “Call for Content Production Grants” in the subject line.
Questions
Any questions about this call should be submitted by email on or before 1 June 2020 to grants@kosovalive.org with “Call for Content Production Grants” in the subject line.
Assessment and selection of applications
All applications will be assessed by a selection committee assembled from local and regional media development organisations based on the following criteria:
– Relevance of the proposed content against the objective of the call (maximum 20 points)
– Quality of the proposed content, approach to the proposed topic, originality of the proposal, (maximum 40 points)
– Estimated project reach, proposed content distribution and promotion plan (maximum 10 points)
– Capacity of the organisation to implement the proposed project, applicant’s technical abilities and experience in content production, commitment of the applicant to professional journalism, experience of the proposed production team (maximum 20 points)
– Efficiency of proposed costs, value for money (maximum 10 points)
The Project “Promoting Media Literature and Strengthening” is funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office through the British Embassy in Pristina and Albany Associates.
The contents of this publication are the sole responsibility of KosovaLive and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.
