As part of the Yaqeen: Media Viability Fund, IMS and Freedom Network are delighted to announce the call for proposals for Media Innovation Small Grants 2024.

Interested and eligible digital media organisations are invited to apply for the grants using the application form below by 10 June 2024 (11:59 PM Pakistan Standard Time).

Please read the instructions below carefully and use this Google form to apply: Application Form

The grants will be awarded to media outlets that pitch an innovative and feasible idea to improve their organisation’s viability.

Examples of ideas may include, but are not limited to:

• Audience-related projects: For example, conducting an audience research study for media organisation, or implementing an audience growth and development strategy.
• Business-related projects: For example, testing a new business model, or experimenting with a new revenue stream (such as subscriptions etc.).
• Building new products: For example, developing a news app, newsletter, or subscription-based service etc.

Applicants will have to demonstrate how their proposed idea will strengthen their media outlet’s business viability. Ideas that reflect diversity, equity and inclusion, especially with respect to gender and marginalised communities, will be encouraged.

Funds: Grants will be up to Rs. 370,000 each.

Duration: Four months

Selection & Eligibility Criteria:

• Media organisations must be based in Pakistan.
• Media organisations must produce public interest content, adhere to principles of ethical journalism and be non-partisan.
• Media organisations must be digital and demonstrate that they have been operational for at least the past two years.
• Media organisations must not be associated with legacy print or broadcast media houses.
• Applicants must complete the application form, including the media profile section, and submit it by the mentioned deadline.
• Applicants must submit a proposal for a specific project through the application form. The proposal must include a budget breakdown for expenses related to the project.
• Applicants must have a team of at least two individuals who will commit to grant activity and project completion, if selected.
• Applicants must be willing to share their organization’s audience-related statistics at the start and end of the project, if required.
• Proposals that identify a specific problem to solve, indicate an understanding of the audience, show value of the proposed project in terms of business viability, and communicate a vision for the news organisation’s growth and sustainability will be preferred.
• Media organisations can submit multiple proposals through separate applications but only one grant will be awarded per media organisation.

Timeline:

A jury of internally appointed experts will review the applications and select the media for the award of grants. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the selection and eligibility criteria mentioned above.

• Call for applications open: 20 May 2024
• Deadline for applications: 10 June 2024
• Selected media notified: 28 June
• Grant implementation: July to October 2024

Contact:

For more information, please contact: info@fnpk.org

Terms & Conditions

• Freedom Network reserves the right to award the grants and alter the final amounts of individual grants if needed. Its decisions will be considered final.
• Grant awards will be contingent upon agreements with selected media and any required changes in the proposed budgets.

Use this Google form to apply for the small grants: Application Form

To read more about the Yaqeen: Media Viability Fund, please read this post.