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Improving Workers Rights, Strengthening Independent Media, and Expanding Civic Participation

Organisation: U.S. Department of State

Status: Closed

Type:
  • Grant
Theme:
  • Freedom of expression

Funding Size: $1,250,000 to $1,500,000

Deadline: 24/04/2023

  • 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.
  • Type of funding: Programmatic
  • Target countries: Pakistan
  • Application language: English

The U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor (DRL) is accepting proposals for an open competition entitled “Improving Workers Rights, Strengthening Independent Media, and Expanding Civic Participation in Pakistan” for organizations interested in submitting applications.

U.S. human rights and democracy assistance will contribute to a stable Pakistan by promoting governance based on democratic principles and respect for human rights.  It will also provide for the protection of, and advocacy for, the rights of the most vulnerable, including youth, women, and religious and ethnic minorities, as well as mitigate the impact of conflict on Pakistani communities.

With the above in mind, DRL invites organizations to submit proposals for programs in the three areas including:

  • Strengthening Free and Independent Media
    1. DRL’s goal is an informed citizenry in Pakistan, that enjoys freedom of the press and the safety of journalists. Programs should seek to achieve the objective that independent media entities operate effectively and professionally to inform citizens.
    2. In doing so, programs should seek to achieve the following outcomes:
      1. Independent media entities report with transparency and objectivity;
      2. Counter disinformation;
      3. Maintain independence;
      4. Build sustainability; and
      5. Reduce self-censorship, particularly on sensitive topics such as religious tolerance, gender, conflict, and governance.
    3. In addition, programs should work with media outlets, journalists, and other platforms to adopt secure practices to ensure that they can operate sustainably, safely, and independently.  Target independent media entities will promote human rights, gender equality, rule of law, democratic processes, and government accountability, and will empower women, religious minorities, sexual and gender minorities, and/or people with disabilities.
    4. Though the program can be nationwide, it should focus on areas of particular concern for independent media reporting such as Newly Merged Tribal Districts, Balochistan, Interior Sindh, and/or South Punjab as well as impoverished and/or rural areas.  Programming should also prioritize media entities that include Urdu and local language journalism to strengthen reporting to local communities.

See here to learn more and apply.

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