Call for Partnerships for the Global Media Defence Fund

• Eligibility: A UNESCO Implementation Partner is an entity with a not-for-profit status to which UNESCO has entrusted partially or fully the implementation of programmes or projects specified in a signed document, along with the assumption of full responsibility and accountability for the effective use of resources and the delivery of outputs as set forth in such a document
• Type of funding: Programmatic
• Target countries: Global
• Application language: English, French, Spanish

UNESCO is seeking partnerships with specialized not-for-profit organizations working on the ground to support the undertaking or upscaling of projects that bolster journalists’ legal protection and/or enhance media freedom by advancing at least one of the following outputs:

• Output 1- Foster international legal cooperation, as well as the sharing and implementation of good practices to promote the defense of journalists under attack, with a triple focus on ensuring journalists are better able to protect themselves, addressing impunity for attacks against journalists, and ensuring journalists are able to access legal assistance.
• Output 2 – Reinforce the operationalization of national protection mechanisms and peer support networks, including by supporting governments and other institutions to develop national frameworks, action plans, and legislation relevant to the safety of journalists and the issue of impunity, to ensure journalists’ rapid access to specialized legal assistance, bolster their defense and enhance their safety, taking into account the gendered nature of the threats against them.
• Output 3 – Support 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 enhancing the safety of those conducting this line of work.
• Output 4– Enhance structures for fostering strategic litigation in order to protect national environments where the legal frameworks are conducive to an independent, free, and pluralistic media ecosystem.

Funding Information

• Proposals amounts should range from a minimum of USD 15,000 to a maximum of USD 35,000 for direct interventions in one or more activities/geographical areas.

See here to learn more and apply.

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