STRENGTHENING INDEPENDENT MEDIA IN BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA PROJECT

CALL FOR PROPOSALS 
Investigative Reporting Grants

October 2011

Internews Network’s Strengthening Independent Media (SIM) in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Project will consider proposals from freelance journalists, independent TV stations and
production companies, print and online media that will work to improve the media sector in BiH through the objectives and criteria described below. Through Investigative Reporting Grants, Internews will support Building the Quality of Investigative Reporting to serve the overall following objectives of this 5-year project:

•  Promote national cohesion and inter-ethnic trust 
•  Create a more supportive environment for the work of journalists throughout BiH 
•  Provide reliable information to BiH citizens through both traditional and alternative
sources of information 
•  Strengthen the ability of people to hold the government accountable.

GRANT SIZE

This first round grant pool of $100,000 will be divided among successful
applicants.

Expected grants size range – $5,000-15,000.

No grant is to exceed $25,000.

Description

In partnership with Mediacentar Sarajevo (MCS), Internews seeks investigative story projects that will build on the quality and popularity of investigative journalism in BiH, increase compelling reporting and improve content. Eligible applicants: freelance/individual journalists; or a journalist-editor team from print or online media outlets, independent TV stations, or production companies.  Successful applicants will be provided with investigative journalism expertise and support as well as technical assistance by MCS during the course of implementation.

Grant Criteria

1.  Public interest and service
Investigative story projects that bring important and useful information to the public are strongly encouraged. Stories may focus on government responsibility and transparency (at all levels of power – state, entity, canton and municipality in BiH), on socially-important issues and services, etc.

2.  Partnerships
Initiatives should include some kind of partnership – for research, production, implementation and/or publication of the story project. Partnerships can be based on common issues of interest - between media and civil society, traditional and alternative media, etc.,  Applicant should include a support letter from the partner, and articulate how this partnership will contribute to the goals.

3.  Multimedia outreach
Increasing audience reach using different tools and web-based concepts is encouraged: having a multimedia approach suitable for distribution through all types of communication channels, making existing content available to a greater number of citizens, especially the younger population.

4.  Professional standards and ethics 
All projects must demonstrate the highest standards of journalism – objectivity, truthfulness, accuracy, balance, impartiality, fairness , ethics – to improve the quality of the media environment in BiH and the quality of information for the public. Proposals may include costs for pre-publication legal screening.

5.  Project impact 
Please show WHY your project important and HOW it satisfies the program goals. What do you expect to achieve? How will you measure your progress and achievements?

6.  Clear and transparent budget 
Project budgets should be transparent and describe major expense categories that show clear cost effectiveness and suggested cost share of at least 15 percent. [Cost share:  the resources you contribute to the project: from another non-USG source (such as EU money), or in-kind, such as equipment, production, and/or labor costs that you donate to implement the project.]

Proposal Instructions

All proposals can be submitted in English, or B/H/S with minimum executive summary in English.

I.  Cover Page – 1 page in 11 pt. type:
A.  Project Title 
B.  Brief Project Description: In one paragraph, clearly and concisely summarize your project.
C.  Organization or individual: Name and contact information.
D.  Project Coordinator and key staff: Name(s) and contact information.
E.  Duration of the Project (up to 12 months)
F.  Amount Requested in USD

II. Program Description – 5 pages maximum in 11 pt. type: 
A.  Description of major project goal(s) and objectives connected to the SIM objectives.
B.  Activities that are based on achieving the objectives
C.  Expected results and impact that are connected to activities
D.  Monitoring and evaluation tools and indicators – how will you measure your progress?
E.  Timeline 
F.  Partner(s)  - with letter or memo of support attached

III. Budget– 1 page in Excel format – must use attached template – and 1 page budget narrative in a Word document that explains the proposed costs.
The one-page budget description in the attached format should describe major expense categories that show clear cost effectiveness and suggested cost share of 15 percent.  An accompanying Word document should describe the justification for each cost.

IV. Capacity and Previous Experience, if applicable – no more than one page in 11 pt. type:
A.  Business or project management experience
B.  Previous grants received

Submission and Review Procedure

Deadline: Oct. 31, 2011*

 
•  Proposals should be sent electronically to internewsbh@internews.org. 
•  Proposals will be reviewed by a Grant Selection Committee and scored. 
•  Review of proposals will start after each deadline. First round winners will be announced up to one month after the deadline.
•  Internews may contact your organization if questions arise during the scoring/selection process.
•  Internews will contact your organization with the results of your application.

*Please note: Depending on the number of proposals received, Internews may launch a second competition in November if there is funding available. Once available funding is used up, Internews will post an announcement on the project website and/or contact your organization directly. Proposals will be considered when the next tranche is obligated to Internews.

PROPOSALS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED.