The USAID has issued a request for applications for the Mozambique Media Strengthening Program (MSP) aimed at supporting the professionalization of journalists and empowerment of independent media in Mozambique, working both with individual journalists and media organizations in the capital, Maputo, as well as with local media outlets and community radio stations located throughout the country.
The goals of the MSP are to improve the quality of information provided to citizens by state and non-state media and to enhance the capacities and financial viability of non-state, or independent, media organizations in Mozambique.
Program Objectives
There are three principle objectives of the Media Strengthening Program:
1) To strengthen the ability of the Mozambican media sector to provide high quality information to citizens so as to further development objectives in the country;
2) To improve the quality of oversight of and debate about government actions, and;
3) To promote a free, open, diverse, and self-sustaining media operating environment.
These objectives will be addressed through the following five program components:
1) Provide professional capacity building and training for Mozambique’s news media personnel (journalists and editorial/management staff) in, among other topics, quality content generation and writing, editorial writing, fair reporting, ethical standards, use of new technologies, and investigative journalism;
2) Provide technical assistance on business management/organizational capacity to increase the long term financial viability of the non-state media sector;
3) Improve the quality of the education of future journalists at the School of Communication and Arts of Eduardo Mondlane University (UEM);
4) Assist community radio stations to improve the quality of their reporting and programming, and;
5) Enable media and civil society organizations to more effectively shape the media operating environment through the reform of policies and passage of laws affecting the media sector.
Funding Size
Subject to the availability of funds, USAID intends to provide up to $10,000,000 to be allocated over the five year period of this project.
Eligibility
Qualified applicants may be U.S. or non-U.S. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), private voluntary organizations (PVOs), for-profit companies willing to forego profit, and Public International Organizations. Faith-based and community organizations that fit the criteria above are also eligible to apply. In support of the Agency’s interest in fostering a larger assistance base and expanding the number and sustainability of development partners, USAID encourages applications from potential new partners.
Last date for submission of applications is November 14, 2011
For more information and details, please visit this link and search by Funding Opportunity Number RFA6561100002
