Request for Applications: Global Media Defence Fund

Objective

• The objective of this thematic Call for Partnerships is providing financial support to local, regional, and global projects that, in line with international standards, contribute to defending environmental journalism by bolstering the legal protection of environmental journalists and/or reducing impunity related to cases of violence, threats and attacks against them.

Funding Information

• Proposals amounts should range from a minimum of USD 15000 to a maximum of USD 50000 for direct interventions in one or more geographical areas/activities.
• Project duration will not exceed 18 months.

Eligible Costs

• Candidate partners must make sure every activity and cost item are included in the budget, including costs that will be part of their contribution to the project (see “Partner’s Contribution” above). Items that are not included in the approved budget will not be covered.
• Budgets should be prepared for each activity and further broken down by budget component or cost item. Budgets which do not have the necessary cost breakdown will not be accepted, nor will any cost items lacking the necessary breakdown (i.e. which do not explain how the funds will be spent, such as “Miscellaneous Expenses”).
• The budget financed by UNESCO/GMDF should only include direct costs relevant to the achievement of the project objectives. Direct costs are expenses necessary for the implementation of the proposed action, directly attributable to it, arising directly from its implementation, and charged proportionally to actual use under the project (direct budgeting based on activities).

Ineligible Costs

• Costs that are considered ineligible under this Call include, but are not limited to the following:
  • Core funding or recurrent costs of an organization (fixed staff salaries, rent, utilities, etc.);
  • Indirect, overhead or administrative costs;
  • Audit costs;
  • Bank fees;
  • Insurance costs;
  • Purchase of equipment, computers, printers, or any other electric device;
  • Costs incurred prior to the date of the corresponding Implementation Partners’ Agreement, or after it expires;
  • Costs deemed as non-essential to obtain expected results.

Eligible Beneficiaries

• Eligible proposals will be those focused on bolstering the legal protection of environmental journalists and/or reducing impunity related to cases of violence, threats and attacks against them in accordance with Outputs 2, 3 and/or 4 of the Global Media Defence Fund, and targeting journalists, lawyers, specialized not-for-profit entities and other relevant stakeholders as the direct and final beneficiaries.

Output

• The GMDF contributes to creating a free and safer environment for journalists to undertake their work through four key approaches or Outputs:
  • Output 1: Fostering international legal cooperation, as well as the sharing and implementation of good practices for promoting the defense of journalists under attack and  addressing impunity for attacks against them.
  • Output2: Reinforcing the operationalization of national safety mechanisms and peer support networks to ensure journalists’ rapid access to legal assistance, bolster their defense and enhance their safety, taking into account the gendered nature of the threats against them.
  • Output 3: Supporting investigative journalism that contributes to reduced impunity for crimes against journalists by holding the justice system accountable and by pursuing investigative work that risks being censored when journalists are attacked, imprisoned, or murdered; and enhances the safety of those conducting this line of work.
  • Output 4: Enhancing structures for fostering strategic litigation in order to protect national and regional environments where the legal frameworks are conducive to an independent, free, and plural media ecosystems.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidate implementation partners must comply with the following criteria:
  • Legal Status:
    • This Call for Partnerships is open to not-for-profit entities only (non-governmental organizations, foundations, professional associations, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations, among many others). As defined in the System of National Accounts elaborated by the United Nations Statistics Division, non-profit institutions are legal or social entities created for the purpose of producing goods and services whose status does not permit them to be a source of income, profit or other financial gain for the units that establish, control or finance them.
    • Candidate partners must have been active and registered as not-for-profit entities for at least two years.
    • Natural persons, private companies, unincorporated entities, and incorporated non-profit organizations with less than two years of activities as legally registered entities are not eligible for funding.
  • General Eligibility
    • Be able to make an effective contribution to the achievement of UNESCO’s objectives, in conformity with the principles proclaimed in UNESCO’s Constitution;
    • Display a commitment to defend and respect human rights, freedom of expression and gender equality;

For more information, visit UNESCO.