NOFO: Cambodia Media Development Activity

USAID Cambodia seeks to partner with relevant stakeholders to strengthen and expand the diversity of trustworthy news and information sources available to Cambodians so that they can be better equipped to participate in civic life. The Cambodia Media Development (CMD) activity will accomplish this by building the variety, capacity, and durability of platforms for gathering and disseminating news and information nationwide and by developing the skills of journalists at all stages of their careers and in the varied roles required by evolving media sectors. The activity envisions a strong commitment to the safety and well-being of participants and advancing the resilience and cohesion of independent media in a complex operating environment. Over the course of activities, Cambodians will gain access to higher quality information from media invested in promoting transparency, accountability, and the public interest.

USAID expects CMD activity to take a comprehensive, systematic, and innovative approach to addressing the multiple challenges facing independent media. The activity should bring together lines of effort that reinforce each other over the duration of the program. A creative approach will be responsive to locally driven strategies and priorities and inventive in advancing the overall objectives in the context of current and potential obstacles.

Objectives

• The CMD activity will focus on three lines of effort– institutionalization, innovation, and resilience – integrated as a comprehensive, systematic strategy to strengthen the Cambodian media sector. This will lead to more diverse, trustworthy sources of news and information for communities, providing the basis for greater civic engagement and government accountability. Applicants should demonstrate a detailed understanding of the current Cambodian information ecosystem and existing capacities in the media sector in formulating an approach that demonstrates an appropriate mix of ambition, experimentation, and realism.
  • Objective 1: Institutionalization. Strengthen independent platforms for gathering and disseminating trustworthy news and information to Cambodian audiences. 
    • Through activities under this objective, the capacity of selected existing organizations and initiatives supplying independent information to Cambodian audiences will be strengthened. The approach should support professional journalists, including reporters, editors, and managers, and could also integrate the participation of “citizen journalists.’’ Routes to developing the next generation of media workers should be considered.
    • The following approaches are among those that may be considered to advance this objective. This list is neither required nor exhaustive.
      • Supplying core support for nationwide and/or sub-national media entities.
      • Providing organizational management capacity building.
      • Systematizing the development and contributions of “citizen journalists’’
      • Structuring fellowship, mentoring, and/or professional coaching programs for ongoing learning opportunities.
      • Offering learning and networking opportunities outside of Cambodia and/or fostering links to regional and global independent media communities.
      • Creating or formalizing regional or national journalistic initiatives and/or networks. භ Providing internship systems or other entry professional entry points to the journalism field for a new generation of independent media workers.
    • Illustrative Expected Results:
      • Multidimensional support strengthens independent media platforms, including newsroom governance and/or leadership structures, serving national level and sub national audiences.
      • Media professionals at all stages of their careers are able to access capacity building opportunities, providing the independent media sector with an expanded talent pool.
  • Objective 2: Innovation. Expand the means and methods used to bring Cambodians reliable, independent news and information. 
    • Through activities under this objective, new approaches to gathering, presenting, disseminating, and sustaining trustworthy news and information will be integrated into the CMD activity. Cambodia’s digital capacity and the wide uptake of social media as well as trends in visual and auditory storytelling offer opportunities for broadening the aperture on how Cambodians might access news and information. Expanding the range of platforms and the routes for sustaining new and existing ones is another arena for consideration.
    • The following approaches are among those that may be considered to advance this objective. This list is neither required nor exhaustive.
      • Creating news and information exchanges, distributed media models, or other content sharing initiatives.
      • Fostering in-country and potentially cross-border journalism collaborations that deepen and amplify the reach of reporting, including with civil society organizations.
      • Offering capacity building and support for new storytelling techniques including podcasting.
      • Leveraging the reach of social media influencers in sharing public interest information.
      • Expanding digital channels for gathering and sharing news and information.
      • Incubating new news initiatives and media adjacent tools.
      • Building use of databases, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and other capabilities to improve newsgathering.
      • Developing expertise in media business strategies and exploring models such as micro[1]funding and membership or subscription models to build outlets’ viability. Participation in the Media Viability Accelerator could be considered here.
    • Illustrative Expected Results:
      • Innovative methods for gathering, presenting, and disseminating news and information are utilized to improve the quality and quantity of information available to Cambodian audiences.
      • Independent media entities initiate use of business models and revenue-diversification strategies that build the sustainability of the sector.
  • Objective 3: Resilience. Build the cohesion, security, and durability of Cambodia’s independent media sector. 
    • Through activities under this objective, the media community will build cohesion and strategic capacity to improve its resilience in the context of current and potential challenges, including increased restrictions on independent media activity and constraints on free expression more broadly. To strengthen the sector, practitioners will be encouraged to broaden their shared understanding of the roles, rights and responsibilities of media working in the public interest.
    • The following approaches are among those that may be considered to advance this objective. This list is neither required nor exhaustive.
      • Supporting professional cohesion within the sector through joint activities, potentially including advocacy for media freedom, professional self-regulation, and engagement with government.
      • Upgrading digital and physical security practices by journalists and media entities.
      • Building and sustaining Cambodian capacity to provide expertise on digital security for media practitioners and outlets.
      • Instituting psychosocial support systems for journalists.
      • Providing legal support for journalists and media outlets, including through participation in Reporters Shield.
      • Expanding understanding of media literacy and accessibility through programming in educational or community settings.
      • Developing a constituency for public interest media through outreach to media audiences including trust-building and other community engagement activities.
    • Illustrative Expected Results:
      • The resilience of the independent media sector is strengthened through expanded solidarity, professionalism, and collective actions.
      • Increased public media literacy, including understanding the roles, rights, responsibilities, and impact (i.e., watchdog role) of independent media and how to be an informed media consumer.
      • Independent journalists and media entities have access to and employ digital, physical and legal safety practices.

Theory of Change

• The underlying theory of change for the CMD activity posits that, If:
  • Capacity of media platforms and journalists to gather and disseminate trustworthy information to Cambodian audiences is strengthened; and
  • Availability of reliable, independent news and information through innovative means and methods expands; and
  • Security, cohesion, and durability of Cambodia’s independent media sector improves;

Funding Information

• Subject to funding availability and at the discretion of the Agency, USAID intends to provide up to approximately $7,000,000.00 in total USAID funding over a five (5) year period as a result of this NOFO. USAID intends to award one (1) Cooperative Agreement; however, USAID reserves the right to make no awards at all.

Geographic Focus

• This activity is expected to have a nationwide scope although applicants may consider presenting an approach that focuses on specific regions over the course of the program. Clear rationale for any geographic strategy should be presented in the context of demonstrating the applicant’s understanding of the conditions, challenges, and opportunities evident in Cambodia’s information ecosystem.
• USAID will consider integration of limited activities outside of Cambodia. This approach may include opportunities for Cambodian journalists to undertake cross-border reporting projects, to publish on regional platforms, to participate in learning opportunities abroad, and/or to join in global professional networks. If a hybrid approach is proposed, applicants should make a clear link to how activities that occur outside of the country will benefit audiences inside Cambodia.
• Throughout, the priority is broadening access to independent media content in the Khmer language, either as produced originally or in translation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligibility for this NOFO is not restricted. All U.S. and non-U.S. public, private, for-profit, and non-profit organizations, as well as educational organizations, and non-governmental organizations are eligible to submit an application. Further, the organization must be a legally recognized organizational entity in the country where it operates.
• USAID welcomes applications from organizations that have not previously received financial assistance from USAID.
• Faith-based organizations are eligible to apply for federal financial assistance on the same basis as any other organization and are subject to the protections and requirements of Federal law.

For more information, visit Grants.gov.