Media Professionalization and Partnerships Program

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A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION The Public Diplomacy (PD) Section at the U.S. Embassy in Harare announces an open competition for media NGOs and institutions to submit applications to carry out low-cost initiatives that leverage partnerships with American journalism and experts to strengthen the capacity of Zimbabwe media and public in one of three categories outlined in the Program Objectives below. Please carefully follow all instructions below. Program Objectives: 1. Media Literacy to Combat Disinformation: The program will work to increase public resilience to disinformation and misinformation campaigns. Successful proposals will include ideas to increase public understanding of, and to push back against, disinformation and misinformation activities. Activities and work funded with this award may include (but should not be limited to): ·      Public debates and moderated discussions. ·      Digital engagements. ·      Creating digital content such as videos and short films. ·      Developing educational materials. We encourage new and creative approaches that utilize digital technology, social media, and other innovative means. Successful proposals will emphasize the ability to deliver clear messages to selected audiences: Women, youth, policy makers, opinion leaders and other clearly defined sectors. The PD Section will favorably note proposals that aim to establish partnerships with American universities or colleges to include media literacy or consumption as parts of existing curricula or to otherwise augment relevant discussions at college education level. A program goal should be to encourage fact-checking and responsible media consumption using learned skills or available resources and platforms. 2. Media Sustainability: PD Section will accept proposals from organizations that seek to assist emerging news organizations- online and offline- develop and adopt business or strategies and diversify revenue to ensure their survival in challenging economic times. Initiatives should help news outlets harness the power of digital tools as well as community resources to create sustainable media businesses that provide news and information in the public interest. The ultimate goal being to increase the flow of reliable news & information to the Zimbabwean publics. 3. Media Innovation and Professionalization: PD Section will accept proposals from organizations that seek to support exposure, collaboration among professionals among journalism community in new ways of gathering information, tell stories and engage audiences in the areas of health, human rights, agriculture/ STEM, and Peace and Conflict resolution. Programs should enhance news coverage and enable these organizations to embrace or expand ways of gathering and disseminating information as well as connect more deeply with their audiences. Program Goals The goal of this program is to strengthen ties between the United States and Zimbabwe’s journalism and media institutions to: 1. Support independent news and information media outlets (broadcast, online, print) that are committed to factual, objective and thorough reporting of identified issues including but not limited to Health, Human Rights, STEM fields in Agriculture, and Peace and Conflict resolution. 2. Support innovative approaches to using technology, including alternative delivery platforms, to more effectively inform Zimbabwean audiences. Key outcomes include, but not limited to, the ability of news outlets to cover or investigate previously challenging assignments, reach more audiences, and journalists are better informed on selected subjects; expand access to local and international sources of information. 3. Develop the institutional capacity, competitiveness, and sustainability of independent media outlets through ethical and innovative approaches to generating income and professional partnerships. 4. Increase public resilience to disinformation and misinformation campaigns through expanding or increasing outlets for sharing verified information to the public. NOTE: For program proposals that include elements of in-person travel between Zimbabwe and the United States, or other international locations, travel should not be planned until January 2022 at the earliest. All program proposals, including those with exchange components, should include flexibility in planning to adjust given the constantly evolving global and local restrictions related to COVID-19. All program proposals must strengthen ties and build relationships between the United States and Zimbabwe and must have a strong, central, American element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s (separate and beyond any involvement with the U.S. Mission or its American Corners or U.S. government exchange program alumni), and have as a primary goal the promotion of increased understanding of U.S. values, perspectives, and policies and relationship building between Americans and Zimbabweans. Participants and Audiences: Proposals must engage with Zimbabwean media institutions or media workers as well as audiences. Disinformation programs can target women, youth, policy makers, opinion leaders and other clearly defined sectors. B. FEDERAL AWARD INFORMATION Length of performance period: up to 12 months Number of awards anticipated: 3 awards Award amounts: US$25,000.00 Total available funding: US$75,000.00 Type of Funding: Public Diplomacy Funds – Smith Mundt Anticipated program start date: August 15, 2021 This notice is subject to availability of funding. Funding Instrument Type: Grant Program Performance Period : Proposed programs should be completed in 12 months or less.

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