Call for Applications: “We’re talking about it! Tunisia 360°”

Eligible media can also benefit from access to online courses on how to strengthen media’s business models and improve journalistic skills as well as from being part of a large media network in Tunisia.

Objectives

• The objective of this call for projects is to produce innovative and quality content on socio-economic themes, in order to reduce these disparities and strengthen public dialogue.

Themes 

• Tunisian media have a key role to play in addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges, such as economic stagnation or social inequalities, by providing reliable information that is tailored to the public’s needs. However, two studies reveal a significant gap between the expectations of the Tunisian population and the media offering in terms of socio-economic themes and formats:
  • Sectoral imbalance: Sectors such as energy and environment are over-represented, while key sectors such as industry, services, the informal economy and migration are under-represented.
  • Lack of investigative journalism: Reporting is often limited to official statements, without in-depth analysis.
  • Weak regional coverage: Regional topics and local voices are rarely addressed, often via press release reprints.
  • Under-representation of SMEs: Despite their key role in the Tunisian economy, small and medium-sized enterprises do not receive the attention they deserve.
  • Lack of contextualization of crises: Migrations and economic crises are often treated in a dramatic manner, without in-depth analysis.
  • Dominant traditional formats: There is a lack of innovative formats adapted to modern media consumption habits.

Funding Information

• A grant of between €25,000 and €60,000 (including tax) per medium for the duration of the project max. 18 months.
• One-off coaching or training aimed at improving the quality of productions (based on an in-depth analysis of one of your productions by a local expert).
• Access to online training courses.
• Access to their large network of experts and media via platforms or events.

Eligible Costs

• Eligible costs are (but are not limited to): human resources, equipment, software, licenses, travel expenses, per diem, mobilization of experts or trainers, graphic design, communication and promotion costs, airtime, printing and translation costs. It is mandatory to include in the budget proposal the travel of 2 people from your project team to Greater Tunis for 3 nights (transport, per diem, hotel).
• For equipment purchases, services or freelancers, please set prices by requesting 3 comparative quotes from different service providers. Personnel costs must be based on existing or recently expired employment contracts. Justifiable benefits and taxes are also eligible.
• They reserve the right to request financial supporting documents for certain budget lines before the start of the project and, if selected, after the activities have been carried out. This may include: Employment contracts, rental contracts, 3 quotes for a service or equipment, bank statements, etc.
• Budget ceilings:
  • Purchase of equipment: max. 10 – 20% of the total budget for small equipment.
  • Transportation costs without the need for supporting documents:
    • Private car: max. 0.600 TND / km o Rental car: max 110 – 150 TND / day depending on the season.
    • Car with driver: max 1.500 TND / km.
• The estimated km must be explained (purpose of the trips, how many trips from where to where, with which vehicle and how many people) in the budget.
• Catering costs without the need for supporting documents:
  • Coffee break: max. 15 – 25 TND / person depending on the region.
  • Lunch or dinner: max 40 – 60 TND / person depending on region.
• Catering costs should be explained: How many people, what meals, what event, etc.

Eligible Activities

• The production and dissemination of media formats or the implementation of awareness campaigns based on media productions – in Arabic, French or minority languages – which provide the Tunisian population with quality information on socio-economic subjects.
• Preference will be given to
  • Media productions or awareness campaigns based on productions media that promote public engagement.
  • Topics and formats that address gaps identified in the above studies.
  • Productions or campaigns that target the rural population and/or communities marginalized, women and/or young people.
• All activities leading to the previous actions, such as capacity building measures, round tables, workshops, consultations, studies, media monitoring, development of IT or other digital tools etc. are also supported.

 Eligibility Criteria

• You are a Tunisian media.
• Based and registered in Tunisia.
• For profit or not for profit.
• With proven experience in creating and publishing quality professional content, preferably on socio-economic topics (eg podcasts, talk shows, documentaries, etc.)
• With experience in managing projects and grants of a comparable.
• Budget-
  • Either up to 50% of the budget requested for a single project, or up to 80% of the budget requested for several grants managed simultaneously.

Selection Criteria

• Consistency with the objective of the call for proposals, relevance of the proposed topics, contribution of the candidate to quality journalism, level of innovation, level of interaction with the public, positive impact on rural communities, consideration of environmental concerns, respect for human rights and gender equality, competence of staff to achieve the objectives, feasibility of the proposed actions and proposed timetable, value for money.
• The selection committee will evaluate the proposal based on the above criteria and a comprehensive and fair ranking system. The projects with the highest number of points will be shortlisted.

For more information, visit DW Akademie.