Deadline: 2 February 2020

Do you have an initiative that stimulates independent and critical media, or one that sustains or promotes a strong, and just democratic state? Does your initiative match our pillars of truth-seeking, innovation in media, fundamental rights and liberties, vigorous democracy or commemoration and remembrance? If yes, then you are welcome to submit a project proposal.

The statutory objectives of the Democracy and Media Foundation are to counter all forms of totalitarianism in social and political life and to strive for a vigorous democracy and multifaceted, opinionating media.

These objectives shaped the foundation’s current mission: to invest in strong, critical media and a strong, just democratic state based on the rule of law. The Democracy and Media Foundation provides financial support to organizations, projects and other initiatives that promote this mission. The foundation can also provide (external) organizational advice and/or bring different initiatives together.

Core Values

At the core of the Democracy and Media Foundation are key values that form a guideline for the way in which the foundation aims to realize its objectives. These values are, in random order:

• individual freedom,
• justice
• equality
• plurality
• decisiveness
• openness
• integrity
• constructive criticism
• international perspective
• diversity and inclusiveness

Pillars

• Truth-seeking
• Media innovation
• Fundamental rights and freedoms
• Vigorous democracy
• Commemoration and remembrance

Type of Projects

Types of projects that the Democracy and Media Foundation supports include (but are not limited to):

• Media productions (long-form) journalistic articles, books, documentaries, podcasts and web or TV series)
• Digital journalistic platforms
• Strategic awareness campaigns
• Policy advocacy
• Strategic juridical litigation
• Cultural and art projects (installations, expositions, theater, etc.). These only qualify for funding by the Democracy and Media Foundation if they further the objectives of the foundation.
• Lectures and debates (as long as they are rooted in a broader adaptation strategy)
• Trainings/capacity building

Funding Information

• The average grant allotted within the general call for proposals is €15.000.
• Furthermore, applications within this call for applications are considered up to a maximum amount of €50.000 per project (year).

Geographical scope

The foundation prioritizes projects and organizations with clear added value in the Netherlands. Within the Netherlands, preference goes out to projects with an international or national outlook, as well as local initiatives that are part of a broader strategy for change. Projects taking place outside the Netherlands are granted support only rarely. The foundation limits its support to organizations located in the 47 member states of the Council of Europe. Priority is granted to projects in countries were freedom of press and/or the democratic state based on the rule of law is under pressure.

Eligibility Criteria

When evaluating the applications submitted in response to this call for proposals, the Democracy and Media Foundation will follow these guidelines:

• The Democracy and Media Foundation only supports projects and initiatives that:
  • meet a demonstrable need;
  • are embedded in a broader strategy for change;
  • are based on a clear and solid plan, and for which it is likely that (self-defined) goals will be reached.
• Applicants and/or initiatives that take an activating or mobilizing role are preferred;
• If the applicant is a corporation, the initiative must have a transparent governance structure with clearly separated functions;
• Initiatives by individuals are welcomed, provided that the applicant has a demonstrable track record in the field in which they are requesting subsidy;
• Each application should be accompanied by a clear and factual budget with a matching financing plan, including a realistic cost-benefit ratio.

For more information, visit https://www.stdem.org/en/call-for-proposals/