Notice of Funding Opportunity: Protecting Free Expression in Ethiopia

To respond to this challenge, DRL is seeking proposals to increase protection of and promote free expression in Ethiopia. DRL’s goal is that restrictions constraining freedom of expression and media are removed as well as that physical and online attacks on media actors are reduced. In support of this goal, programs should work towards the following programming objectives:

• Objective 1: Journalists are better able to operate. 
  • Despite advances in the legal framework for media freedom, the media continues to experience attacks on its ability to operate. Journalists are often detained without a court warrant and later released on bail, mostly without charges, after staying in custody for varying periods of time. Citizens have also experienced internet outages.  Activities under this objective should focus on facilitating constructive advocacy for a more open media environment.
  • Advocacy is most effective when it represents a large cross section of society, and not specific groups with little connection to the public. Therefore, activities to support this objective should focus on building necessary coalitions to advocate for and protect media actors as they express their opinions and report on sensitive topics. Interventions can include identifying shared reform priorities among citizens, journalists, the business community, labor unions, and other stakeholders; conducting advocacy campaigns and dialogue sessions around potential reforms; facilitating strategic litigation to advance free speech; providing technical assistance in drafting reforms; and providing technical assistance in implementing any new laws.
  • A core component of media resiliency is broader support among the public and likeminded stakeholders. As such, applicants may propose interventions designed to build linkages between the media and other stakeholders, including political actors, to facilitate issue-based political discourse and build a common understanding of the importance of free expression in the country.
• Objective 2:  Journalists are equipped to protect themselves – both physically and online.
  • Journalists in Ethiopia continue to face both online and offline harassment, including physical assault, burglary of offices, and hacking of computers. Applicants should design interventions around developing and advancing proactive, holistic approaches to safety and security support for journalists. Activities should focus on improving overall situational awareness and the basic digital hygiene of members of the press, including teaching digital literacy, if necessary, while ensuring they are able to recognize and plan for on and offline attacks. Proposed approaches should employ best practices in digital safety, including ensuring digital training uses a whole community approach, and as much as possible, conducted at the organizational level in a way that is not individual-staff-dependent. Activities should focus on behavior change and not one-off trainings on technology. Applicants may also propose emergency support mechanisms, such as offering a range of dedicated legal support services to journalists and media organizations.
  • Competitive proposals will demonstrate an understanding of Do No Harm principles how they will mitigate risk for project beneficiaries. Special consideration should be taken for journalists working in sensitive topics such as enforcement of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA); ongoing National Dialogue processes; transitional justice efforts; and regional tensions in Amhara, Oromia, and other conflict-affected areas.

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: $1,500,000
• Total Funding Ceiling: $1,500,000
• Anticipated Number of Awards: 1
• Period of Performance: 16-24 months
• Anticipated Time to Award, Pending Availability of Funds: 3-6 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).