Media Educational Exchange Program

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I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARYThe Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia is pleased to announce an open competition for a Media Educational Exchanges Program. U.S. non-profit/non-governmental organizations may submit proposals to manage a three-year project to support the professional development of Georgian journalists through professional study and reporting tours, and internships at U.S. media outlets. PAS will award $600,000 for the three-year long project. II. BACKGROUNDGeorgia is a transitional democracy undergoing major political, social and economic reforms. Media has the responsibility not only to keep pace with these rapid and sometimes painful changes, but also to report on and analyze these changes in a highly professional manner.Journalists and independent media play a critical role in ensuring the free flow of information necessary to develop and maintain democratic systems. The Media Educational Exchanges Program is designed as a training opportunity to enable Georgian journalists and media practitioners to play an important role in setting the standards and providing the skills necessary to develop and maintain free media. The Media Educational Exchanges Program will provide funding for three years to enable a U.S. institution to organize multiple professional study and reporting tours, and short-term internships for Georgian print and broadcast journalists. These programs will develop the journalists’ professional skills and teach them about the rights and responsibilities of a free press in a new democracy. Participants will explore operational and business practices, media trends, journalistic standards, media institutions, and media advocacy in the U.S. The applicant should work closely with PAS throughout the grant period to identify Georgian participants. Pending the availability of funds, the project will award $600,000 to defray the costs of two-week study and/or reporting tours for practitioners (up to 20 participants per year), and four- to six-week internships (up to 5 per year). Applicants should include provisions that will be made for non-English speaking participants.Funding Priorities The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia seeks to fund a creative non-profit/non-governmental organization with prior experience in similar projects. In-kind financial contributions will be favorably considered.

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