Up to $50,000 available for New Media in Kazakhstan

Up to $50,000 available for New Media in Kazakhstan

Deadline: 14-Mar-25

The U.S. Mission to Kazakhstan’s Public Diplomacy Section announces an open competition for assistance awards aimed at supporting Kazakhstan’s emerging independent digital content creators.

The U.S. government supports Kazakhstan’s efforts to strengthen its media environment, including promoting Kazakh language and media.  This support underscores the U.S. commitment to advancing bilateral relations and fostering democratic values and freedoms.

The U.S. Mission has a history of supporting Kazakhstan’s online content creators through initiatives in animation skills, data journalism, digital literacy, and more. These programs highlighted the need for continued professional development in the following areas:

• Content credibility (fact-checking, analytical and research skills);
• Technical proficiency (digital tools and platforms); and
• Financial sustainability (monetization and fund-raising strategies).

Project Goal

• To increase access to high-quality and credible online information for Kazakh audiences through support for new media professionals and content creators.

Project Objectives

• Objective 1:  Equip at least ten reporting-focused digital content creators from different regions and areas of expertise with fact-checking, research and analytical skills by delivering three to five trainings, with at least half of the trainings conducted in Kazakh.  By the end of the program, 80 percent of participants will apply their newly acquired skills to produce at least two original pieces of content within their respective fields of expertise, with at least 70 percent receiving a score of “high quality” based on pre-defined evaluation criteria on fact-checking, research, and analytical skills.
• Objective 2:  Improve the ability of at least 20 participants to apply innovative digital tools and AI applications for creating engaging content by conducting at least five hands-on training sessions.  By the end of the program, at least 80 percent of participants demonstrate use of at least three new digital or AI tools, as verified through pre- and post-practical assessments.
• Objective 3:  Equip at least 20 new media representatives (content creators, citizen journalists, and activists) with tailored monetization and fundraising strategies, including crowdfunding, corporate sponsorship, and others to monetize their content.
• Objective 4:  Establish a collaborative professional network among project participants to foster collaboration, peer learning, and mutual support by organizing at least two joint group activities and initiating at least new three collaborative projects (jointly produced content, joint initiatives, etc.) within six months of the program’s launch.  These projects will provide participants with opportunities to apply their skills, learn from each other, and build professional networks.

Funding Information

• Total available funding: $145,000 pending availability of funds
• Award amounts: Awards may range from a minimum of $20,000 to a maximum of $50,000 (approximately)

Project Audience(s)

• New media representatives, including:
  • Reporting-focused digital and social media content creators (podcasters, Youtubers, animators etc.) in various fields of expertise;
  • Independent citizen journalists; and
  • Community activists.
• Special priority will be to the proposals targeting the Kazakh-language new media.

Eligibility Criteria

• The following organizations and individuals are eligible to apply:  
  • Not-for-profit organization from both the United States and Kazakhstan, with experience in digital media capacity building and training.
  • Public and private institutions from the United States and Kazakhstan that specialize in digital journalism education, media and PR studies, or professional development.
  • Individual content creators and journalists producing digital educational and informative content.
  • For-profit organizations or small businesses from the United States and Kazakhstan focused on developing innovative technologies or platforms to support online content creation and distribution.

Ineligibility Criteria

• This opportunity will not support:
  • Projects relating to partisan political activity;
  • Charitable or development activities; including direct social services such as medical, psychological, and/or humanitarian support
  • Construction projects;
  • Projects that support specific religious activities;
  • Fund-raising campaigns;
  • Lobbying for specific legislation or programs
  • Scientific research or surveys;

For more information, visit Grants.gov.