Deadline: 8 April 2024
The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL) announces an open competition for organizations interested in submitting applications for projects that supports bolstering freedom of expression, safety of journalists, and resilience to disinformation globally.
Programs should enable journalists, media practitioners, and social communicators to work as safely and securely as possible, especially in dynamic environments, including those in active conflict and where there is closed or closing civic space, by providing targeted risk mitigation plans to individual journalists and/or media outlets who are under immediate threat or who anticipate future risks due to their work and require specific tools to increase their safety in digital, psychosocial, and/or physical domains. These plans should be provided on a rolling basis to vetted beneficiaries who have undergone previous safety trainings, and co-developed to address the specific risks and needs on a cases-by-case basis, informed by the specific operating environment. The risk mitigation plans should be technical assistance only and will not provide any direct financial assistance to individuals or organizations.
Where appropriate, competitive proposals may include:
- Opportunities for beneficiaries to apply their new knowledge and skills in practical efforts;
- Solicitation of feedback and suggestions from beneficiaries when developing activities in order to strengthen the sustainability of programs and participant ownership of project outcomes;
- Input from participants on sustainability plans and systematic review of the plans throughout the life of the project, with adjustments made as necessary;
- Inclusion of vulnerable populations;
- Joint identification and definition of key concepts with relevant stakeholders and stakeholder input into project activities;
- Systematic follow up with beneficiaries at specific intervals after the completion of activities to track how beneficiaries are retaining new knowledge as well as applying their new skills.
Funding Information
- Total Funding Floor: $750,000
- Total Funding Ceiling: $750,000
- Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
- Period of Performance: 18 months
Eligible Applicants
- DRL welcomes applications from U.S.-based and foreign-based non-profit organizations/nongovernmental organizations (NGO) and public international organizations; private, public, or state institutions of higher education; and for-profit organizations or businesses. DRL’s preference is to work with non-profit entities; however, there may be some occasions when a for-profit entity is best suited.
For more information, visit Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL).
