Call for concepts for media production on gender topics

International Media Support (IMS) under the Moldova Media Information Integrity and Democracy (M-MIIND) programme is inviting relevant independent media to an open call for concept notes for media production on gender topics.

The M-MIIND programme addresses the need of the Moldovan population to have access to independent information and make informed decisions on issues of public interest. Resilience-building grants will support independent media in addressing the information needs of vulnerable audiences, enhancing Moldova's democratic dialogue on women and LGBTQIA+ issues, and strengthening the capacity of media, CSOs, women journalists, and human rights defenders to combat gendered disinformation and promote gender equality. Overall, the principles of proportionality, sound financial management, equal treatment, non-discrimination, and transparency guided the grant scheme mechanism. 

Concept notes can be submitted by January 26th EOD via e-mail.

For any enquiries, do not hesitate to contact us at ani@mediasupport.org or aleb@mediasupport.org

Selection Process Overview 

1. Format 

Independent media are invited to submit their resilience building ideas in form of one page concept notes using a format that will highlight the best the proposed project.
 

2. Budget 

Budget requests may range from a floor of €10,000 to a ceiling of €20,0000. The period of performance is between March 1st and June 30th (4 months).  

3. Timeline 

As the project ideas are submitted as concept notes, the steps in this process are as follows: 

1. Submission of the concept notes by January 26th, 2025, EOD.
2. February 24th - Final results
3. 1st of March beginning of implementation of the projects. 
    

4. Eligibility Criteria: 

In order to be eligible for a grant, the applicant must: 

• Be an independent media or media development organization with a registered seat in Moldova. 

• Be able to demonstrate adherence to core journalism principles: fact-based, accurate, independent, fair, impartial, accountable  

• Have specific experience on production of media content.  

• Have a publicly accessible code of ethics describing the principles above or have co-signed the deontological code of journalists.  

• Provide information and encourage information exchange and debate on public interest issues and respect the right to reply for people being criticised.  

• Provide transparency on media ownership 

5. Type of activities: 

Activities within the proposed concepts may include:  

• Staffing costs directly related to the implementation of the proposed activities  

• Costs directly related to the production of fact-based content of public interest 

• Investing in technical tools and development directly related to the fulfilment of content strategies and efforts countering of disinformation  

• Support for editorial innovation and audience engagement actions.  

• Costs for technical support to the programme management and administration. 

6. Selection Criteria: 

The selection criteria help to evaluate the applicant and are used to verify: 

• Urgency and relevance of the action to the country-specific context. 

• Realistic social change through content, addressing vulnerabilities and enhancing Moldova's democratic dialogue on women and LGBTQIA+ issues, with clear links between activities and expected outcomes. 

• Clear focus on reaching vulnerable or marginalized audiences. Target audience must be well-defined. 

• Proposals must demonstrate a commitment to gender equality and inclusion. Media outlets are expected to ensure equal portrayal of women and men in their content. Additionally, for shows or podcasts, co-hosts should represent both genders. Proposals should clearly outline strategies to produce content that is gender-sensitive and inclusive. 

• Strong and realistic digital/content dissemination strategies to ensure effective reach to target audiences. 

• Artistic merits of the content, fact-based yet creative and engaging, attractive to target audiences. 

• Team Composition: The proposal must identify specific members of the production/development teams responsible for content creation. At least one team member should be designated to oversee the gender and inclusion component throughout the production process. 

• Integration of a human rights-based approach, including gender aspects and inclusion. 

• Applicant’s capacity to manage similar projects, with a focus on commitment, relevance, cost-efficiency, risk analysis, and feasibility. 

• Organizational programmatic, financial, and administrative capacity, with transparent staffing and content production costs. 

The Moldova Media Information Integrity and Democracy (M-MIIND) programme is made possible with the generous support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The contents of this call for concept notes are the sole responsibility of International Media Support and can in no way be taken to reflect the views of the Government of Norway or Denmark.