Application Deadline: 6 October 2024 (midnight)
Applications are now open for the 2024 Free Press Unlimited Media Innovation Fund. Independent media in the Maghreb region face significant challenges, including repression, lack of diversity and economic viability. These challenges hamper their ability to provide reliable and inclusive information, which is essential for a democratic and informed society. Despite these difficulties, the media must also respond to changing public expectations and adapt to new information and communication technologies. In this ever-changing environment, it is crucial to find innovative ways to build audience loyalty and interaction, and to ensure quality information.
In this context, Al Khatt and Free Press Unlimited, with the support of the European Union, are launching a grant programme to support innovative media initiatives that encourage the creation of audience-based media solutions. This includes supporting projects that use new technologies and social media to effectively reach and engage audiences. These solutions should also aim to strengthen the diversity of media voices, promote access to information and encourage citizen participation. The overall aim of the project is to stimulate innovation in media and journalism to build audience loyalty and interaction.
Grant Details
Amount available: Maximum €20,000 per project. Please note that this budget must comply with the following rules:
- Number of projects funded: 4 innovative projects.
- EUR 249/month (maximum 8 months, i.e. EUR 1992) for the entire duration of the project must be included as a monthly subscription to the audience analysis tool ¨Indepth¨. The selected organisations will be trained by the Al Khatt Association in the use of this tool.
- The grant awarded must be co-financed. The amount of the grant may not exceed 70% of the total cost of the project, the remaining 30% being financed by other means (external or own resources). For example, to receive a grant of €20,000, the applicant must submit a project for a total amount of €28,570.
- Duration: Maximum 8 months.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible beneficiaries:
- Media start-ups, journalism incubators, innovative media initiatives, non-profit and for-profit media organisations.
- Multi-country initiatives (between target countries) and/or joint applications from different actors (media, technology, business) are strongly encouraged.
- Applicants must provide clearly defined and realistic indicators of success. It is essential that projects demonstrate a tangible impact on target audiences. Although projects may be experimental, they must be measurable and have clearly defined objectives.
Eligibility criteria:
- Applicants must operate in Algeria, Tunisia or Libya but may be based outside these three countries.
- Applicants must not be affiliated to a political party.
- Previous experience in media projects is an asset.
Types of Activities eligible for funding
- Technical innovations in newsrooms.
- Development of innovative multimedia formats.
- Activities to strengthen public engagement.
Eligible costs that may be covered by the grant
- Direct expenditure (salaries).
- Purchase or hire of equipment.
- Software licences, data visualisation and publication resources, hosting/streaming server costs, etc.
- Direct costs for: a) knowledge exchange/peer learning visits; and/or b) networking activities, including travel and accommodation costs, per diems, travel insurance, visa costs, etc.
- Access to specialised databases or specific publications/networks.
- Consultancy fees.
- Subscription fees for the Indepth tool (paid directly by FPU).
Application Timeline:
The selected projects will benefit from:
- October – November 2024: Project selection, contractualisation.
- December 2024: Coaching on project design methodologies (3 days).
- December and January 2024: Training and coaching on the adapted business model and online follow-up with practical exercises.
- January and February 2024: One-to-one mentoring sessions and regular feedback.
- February and March 2024: Mid-term follow-up sessions.
- Throughout the project: Opportunities for exchange, networking and collaboration.
Submission Criteria
- Interested applicants are invited to send their application (in French or Arabic) by 6 October 2024 (midnight) to the following e-mail address: [email protected].
- The subject of the e-mail must include the words “Innovation Grant” and the three required documents (proposal, activity plan and budget) and any other information must be attached.
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the Free Press Unlimited Media Innovation Fund