NOFO: Bolstering Regional and Local Independent Media

Media outlets, NGOs, and journalists throughout the EAP region operate in increasingly restrictive and often hostile environments. Across the region, there are examples of a tightening in control over information, limiting of public discourse, and deteriorating protection of fundamental freedoms. Governments used legal frameworks to silence voices critical of government decisions and actions as well as restrict freedom of expression. In 2024, Reporters Without Borders noted that the Asia-Pacific region is the second most difficult in the world for practicing journalism.

Journalists in the region are regularly subject to harassment and intimidation, physical and digital threats, arbitrary detention, criminal charges, and in some cases torture or death. The EAP region is home to some of the world’s biggest jailers of journalists, with some governments pursuing policies of the mass imprisonment of media personnel. Civil society, journalists, and human rights defenders have reported increasing digital threats to independent journalists and media outlets. Across the region, governments and malign actors deploy censorship and surveillance technologies to suppress journalist and activists’ dissent. Mis and disinformation along with hate speech further undermine the media environment and access to quality information.

All programs should aim to have impact that leads to reforms.  DRL’s funding should avoid duplicating past efforts by supporting new and creative approaches or improve upon or expand existing successful projects in a new and complementary way.

DRL is committed to advancing equity and support for underserved and underrepresented communities. In accordance with the Executive Order on Advancing Racial Equity and Underserved Communities, programs should implement strategies for integration and inclusion of individuals/organizations/beneficiaries that can bring perspectives based on their religion, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, sex characteristics, national origin, age, genetic information, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, political affiliation, or veteran’s status.  Programs should be demand-driven and locally led to the extent possible.

Funding Information

• For projects of $250,000 or less, DRL expects to provide a fixed amount (fixed price) award.
  • Total Funding Ceiling: $150,000
  • Total Funding Floor: $100,000
  • Anticipated Number of Awards: 2 – 3
  • Period of Performance: 18-24 months

Project Activities

• Illustrative project activities could include but are not limited to:
  • Support independent media outlets, media-focused NGOs, and journalists to produce timely objective, independent reporting on the region’s political, economic, and social developments;
  • Strengthen journalists’ ability to identify and dispel mis- and disinformation as well as hate speech narratives;
  • Assist existing efforts by media outlets, media-focused NGOs and journalists that utilize online platforms and/or tech tools to share credible information with domestic and/or regional audiences;
  • Develop viable funding diversification strategies to ensure media outlets can sustain independence in the face of increasing repression; and/or
  • Provide digital and physical security training and resources, as well as psychosocial support and legal aid to journalists and media outlets and NGOs.

Ineligible Activities

• Activities that are not typically allowed include, but are not limited to:
  • The provision of humanitarian assistance;
  • English language instruction;
  • Development of high-tech computer or communications software and/or hardware;
  • Purely academic exchanges or fellowships;
  • External exchanges or fellowships lasting longer than six months;
  • Off-shore activities that are not clearly linked to in-country initiatives and impact or are not necessary per security concerns;
  • Theoretical explorations of human rights or democracy issues, including projects aimed primarily at research and evaluation that do not incorporate training or capacity-building for local civil society;
  • Micro-loans or similar small business development initiatives;
  • Initiatives directed towards a diaspora community rather than current residents of targeted countries.

Eligibility Criteria

• 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.
• Applications submitted by for-profit entities may be subject to additional review following the panel selection process. Additionally, the Department of State prohibits profit to for-profit or commercial organizations under its assistance awards. Profit is defined as any amount in excess of allowable direct and indirect costs. The allowability of costs incurred by commercial organizations is determined in accordance with the provisions of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) at 48 CFR 30, Cost Accounting Standards Administration, and 48 CFR 31 Contract Cost Principles and Procedures.
• Applicants should have existing, or the capacity to develop, active partnerships with thematic or in-country partners, entities, and relevant stakeholders, including private sector partners and NGOs, and have demonstrable experience in administering successful and preferably similar projects. DRL encourages applications from foreign-based NGOs headquartered in the geographic regions/countries relevant to this NOFO.

For more information, visit DRL.