Call for Proposals: Media Resource Centers for Local Outlets

This initiative focuses on improving economic sustainability and competitiveness of independent media by addressing persistent challenges faced by small, local, and emerging media actors, such as limited access to specialized expertise, insufficient financial and business management capacities, marketing and audience development gaps, and lack of advanced digital and technological services. The program’s specific objectives include improving access to professional services for small media outlets, strengthening business, financial, and organizational capacities, enhancing journalistic quality and impact, promoting innovation and collaboration through shared service models, increasing long-term economic sustainability and competitiveness, and supporting reliable information delivery to local communities. Priority areas for support through the Media Resource Centers include business development and organizational management, marketing, audience development, and branding, digital transformation and technological services, editorial and journalistic support, and training, capacity building, and knowledge sharing.

Media Resource Centers are envisioned as hubs offering cost-effective, high-quality services tailored to the needs of small and local media organizations. They will provide assistance with business planning, revenue diversification, financial management, fundraising, governance, branding, audience research, marketing, website development, digital tools, cybersecurity, editorial mentoring, fact-checking, investigative journalism support, and other relevant professional services. These centers aim to enhance operational efficiency, content quality, reach, innovation, and sustainability of participating media outlets. Applicants may include media organizations, media support organizations, private companies, NGOs, start-ups, or consortiums with relevant expertise, while public broadcasters and state-controlled entities are not eligible as lead applicants. Partnerships with academic institutions, technology providers, business entities, CSOs, or consulting organizations are encouraged to maximize the impact of these centers.

Up to 15 grants will be awarded under this program, with each grant ranging from 10,000 to 80,000 EUR and a duration of up to 2 years. By fostering shared service models and providing small and local media outlets with access to professional support, this program seeks to strengthen independent journalism, enhance the resilience of media organizations, and contribute to democratic development in the Western Balkans.

For more information, visit GIZ.