Editor’s note: we are republishing an announcement from The Fix’s partners, the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom. Read the Ukrainian-language version of this announcement here.

As part of its Voices of Ukraine Programme, ECPMF offers a total of 100.000 EUR in grants to support regional, local, and hyperlocal media outlets* located near Ukraine’s frontlines by providing grants for training programs that enhance journalistic quality and resilience. You can submit your proposals between 16 and 29 September 2024.

*Note: the grant can also be used for training individual members of the editorial team (for example, an SMM course for a social media specialist).

Voices of Ukraine is the European Centre for Press and Media Freedom’s (ECPMF) programme to support Ukrainian journalists, offering assistance in eight areas and implemented in collaboration with six other organisations. They provide emergency grants for media and journalists, short-term and long-term residencies, equipment support, insurance for journalists on the front lines, special support for female journalists, as well as training grants and publication support. Over 6 months in 2024, they were able to support more than 1,000 Ukrainian journalists.

Training grants by the ECPMF are implemented within the framework of the Voices of Ukraine support programme. The programme is part of the Hannah Arendt Initiative and is funded by the German Federal Foreign Office.

Apply

Who can apply

Regional, local, and hyperlocal media outlets located in regions close to the eastern, southern, and northern frontlines within Ukraine.
Applicant media outlets must have a significant influence in their local communities.
Priority will be given to outlets that focus on:
- Coverage of the ongoing war.
- Counteracting Russian propaganda and disinformation.

Eligible activities for funding

The training programmes must take place before 15 December 2024.
The training programmes must target primarily media workers affiliated with the applying media outlet. The eligible topics include but are not limited to:
- Mental health
- Physical safety
- Digital security
- Journalistic and editorial skills enhancement
- Capacity building aimed at improving journalistic quality and the overall strength of the outlet

Grant amount

Up to €5,000 per training program

Application submission

The application process runs through 16 September to 29 September 2024.
Applicants must submit a proposal form outlines
- Basic information about the applying outlet
- The purpose of the grant outlining the clear objectives of the training and its expected impact.
- The relevance of the planned training to the challenges of reporting from the frontline regions.
- Detailed budget, including a breakdown of costs for the proposed training.

Selection process

Following and initial screening process for the overall eligibility of applicants and evaluation process will be conducted by ECPMF with the assistance of the Voices of Ukraine Programme partners according to the following criteria:

Relevance to Frontline Challenges (high importance): How well the proposal addresses the specific needs of frontline journalists.
Feasibility (high importance): Practicality and realism of the proposed budget and implementation plan.
Impact Potential (medium importance): The potential of the training to improve journalistic quality and resilience.
Sustainability (low importance): Long-term benefits of the proposed training to ensure lasting impact.
Community reach (low importance): Overall influence of the applying media outlet in the immediate local community
Compliance with the Ukrainian media law

Communication of results

Successful applicants will be notified within 10 days after the proposal deadline.

Disbursement of funds

Memorandum of Understanding (MoU):
- Selected applicants will sign an MoU that outlines the terms and conditions of the grant, including reporting requirements.
Payment Schedule:
- The grant amount will be disbursed in two instalments:
  - First Instalment: 50% of the total grant within 2 weeks upon signing the MoU.
  - Second Instalment: 50% of the total grant within 2 weeks upon successful completion of the training and submission of the pre-report.

Reporting requirements

Final Report: A comprehensive report detailing the training outcomes, financial expenditure, and impact is to be submitted to ECPMF until 15 January 2025.

Link to apply

Source of the cover photo: https://www.rawpixel.com/image/6918379, under CC0 1.0 Universal license

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