Deadline: 14 February 2020

The U.S. Embassy to Zambia Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Department of State has announced that funding is available through its Public Diplomacy Small Grants Program for investigative journalism reporting projects and specialized journalism training workshops.

The investigative journalism report projects will allow media outlets to access funding to support story projects which will be scrutinized by the grantee and a committee set up from the initial point to the end of the project.

All programs must include an American element, or connection with American expert/s, organization/s, or institution/s in a specific field that will promote increased understanding of U.S. policy and perspectives on democracy, good governance, and human rights. This notice of funding invites applications for eligible organizations to support investigative journalism reporting projects, and conduct specialized journalism training workshops.

Examples of PAS Small Grants Program for Investigative Journalism Project and Specialized Training include, but are not limited to:

• Coordination of investigative story projects as proposed by news outlets;
• Organize an event and venue with necessary logistics to showcase successful story projects;
• Logistical coordination for visiting U.S. Embassy media exchange programs such as trainings and story clinics conducted by visiting/speakers;
• Coordination of specialized media workshops for journalists;
• Coordination of press freedom and ethics discussions within the media and press clubs; and
• Coordination of journalism training workshops for journalism academia

Priorities

• Transparency and accountability in government service delivery increased through a strong and vibrant media;
• Strengthening Zambia’s media by providing journalists with specialized investigative and analytical skills;
• Strengthen journalism training in tertiary education institutions;
• Reinforcing journalism training to raise professional standards and strengthen the media; environment in Zambia;
• Strengthen governance and accountability by raising journalists’ awareness of public resource management through media workshops, discussion fora, and speaker programs; and
• Improve dialogue about press freedom and ethics

Funding Information

• Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $40,000
• Length of performance period: 12 months
• Number of awards anticipated: Up to four awards (dependent on funding availability)

Eligibility Criteria

• The Public Affairs Section encourages applications from within Zambia:
  • Registered not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations with programming experience;
  • Non-profit, non-government media organizations.
• For-profit or commercial entities are not eligible to apply.
• Participants and Audiences:
  • Journalists working in public and private media outlets;
  • Journalism trainers and experts;
  • Provincial Press Clubs; and
  • Journalism academia.

The Public Affairs Section cannot fund:

• Individuals;
• For-profit organizations or companies;
• Commercial or trade activities;
• Projects relating to partisan political activity;
• Humanitarian/social aid and charities or charitable activities;
• Construction projects;
• Projects that support specific religious activities;
• Fundraising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or projects Scientific research;
• Projects intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization;
• Professional development for individuals, including conferences and trips abroad;
• Projects that duplicate existing projects;
• Individuals or organizations from outside of Zambia; or
• Conferences

For more information, visit https://zm.usembassy.gov/pas_small_grants/