NOFO: Capacitating Investigative Journalism in Botswana

Capacitate training cohort participants in developing and writing/producing, and publishing well-researched investigative news stories that serve the public interest, and develop newsroom financial and management capacity that supports a robust, ethical, and sustainable independent news media environment in Botswana.

Objectives

• The news media plays a vital role in any healthy democratic society, informing the public about key issues, enriching civil discourse in, and serving as a watchdog against corruption and other abuses. The objective of this funding opportunity is to capacitate Botswana’s journalists and news media organizations to further these core functions and directly leverage that capacity into practice.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $100,000
• Award amounts: $100,000
• Length of performance period: 12 months
• Number of awards anticipated: 1 award

Eligible Activities

• The proposed project includes the following activities:
  • Capacitate training to established Botswana-based journalists and newsroom editors on investigative reporting techniques and best practices to include data journalism and research, developing and pitching stories, ethics, legal considerations, and case studies of successful public interest investigative reporting projects in Africa and globally.
  • Support outstanding training program participants with mentorship and resources to develop, report, pitch, write, and publish investigative stories that serve the public interest and comport with the media’s traditional watchdog role.
  • Facilitate training workshops for editors and senior news media business managers on newsroom management and business-side industry best practices.
  • Produce a report at the conclusion of the grant outlining the work done to fulfill these objectives and the impact of stories or organizational improvements associated with program activities.

Target Audiences 

• Established journalists
• Senior and mid-level newsroom managers and editors
• News organization business managers
• Local, regional, and international trainers and subject-matter experts
• Relevant civil society institutions

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations are eligible to apply:
  • U.S.–based and non-U.S. based not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations.
  • U.S.–based and non-U.S. based public and private educational institutions.
  • Individuals.
  • U.S.–based and non-U.S. based Public International Organizations.
  • U.S. based and non U.S. based for profit organizations.

For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Botswana.