The role of media and journalism is not confined to news
organisations, broadcasting companies or governments—within Africa, a
large and growing community media sector is linked to enterprises, civil
society, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) that focus on issues of transparency, accountability and
governance.
The Bloomberg Media Initiative Africa (BMIA) and the Ford Foundation
have partnered to establish a Community Media Fund (CMF) to enhance
citizens’ access to relevant information that enables the public to
support policies and practices that drive inclusive economic and human
development locally, regionally and nationally. The CMF’s will make
disbursements to grantees in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa.
What are we looking for?
The CMF seeks to award grants to key civil society organizations,
community media and non-governmental organisations in Kenya, Nigeria and
South Africa to strengthen citizen journalism, enhance the financial
literacy of citizens, improve their access to relevant data and build
the capacity of community media to improve governance and accountability
through analysis and reporting.
Concept notes from eligible organizations who are implementing
interventions in the following thematic areas are currently being
accepted:
- Producing and disseminating media content on their host communities; and or
- Focusing on transparency and accountability, financial Journalism, financial literacy, greater access to data, social justice, or investigative reporting.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible grant applicants must:
- Be an Africa-focused and headquartered:
- Civil society organisation (CSO)/non-governmental organisation (NGO) supporting community media; or
- Media training institution; or
- Community media outlet, including an outlet affiliated with educational institutions; or
- Network of community media; or
- CSO/NGO supporting initiatives that increase the visibility of emerging non-traditional reporters; or a
- CSO/NGO focusing on transparency, accountability and financial literacy at the community level.
- Be registered in good standing in accordance with the relevant laws of Kenya or Nigeria or South Africa.
- Be directly responsible for the preparation, implementation and management of the proposed project.
- Have prior experience carrying out activities in priority areas of this RFP, specifically:
- producing and disseminating media content on their host communities; and/or
- focusing on transparency and accountability, financial Journalism, financial literacy, greater access to data, social justice, or investigative reporting.
- Must have a bank account and be willing to open a separate account for the grant. and
- Must have certified financial audit reports.
For more details on eligibility and application requirements for the CMF call for concept notes please download the full CMF Request for Proposals (RFP) document from the right sidebar.
What do we offer?
The CMF will have two rounds of a call for proposals. This is the
first round. The second round will be in 2018. The minimum grant amount
is $10,000 USD. The CMF will award grants for a minimum duration of six months and a maximum of 12 months.
