ProMedia/Serbia
Funded by USAID
ProMedia II Serbia
Request for Grant Applications
Specialized Reporting Projects
The ProMedia II Serbia program is pleased to announce an open competition for small grants to Serbian
media outlets and individual journalists for specialized reporting projects.
ABOUT THE PROMEDIA II SERBIA PROGRAM: IREX has supported independent media in Serbia since
1997. Through training, consulting, and small grants, IREX works to support the development of the skills
and capacity of independent Serbian media organizations and journalists. The goal is to enable them to
become self-sustaining and offer the citizens of Serbia balanced and comprehensive news and
information. IREX currently implements the ProMedia II Program in Serbia, funded by USAID. One
component of ProMedia II Serbia program is a small grants program to support specialized reporting
projects designed by media and individual journalists in Serbia.
Topics eligible for support – specialized reporting projects: Applications should propose reporting
projects that address one or more of the following topics. IREX encourages projects or activities that lead
to long-term, sustained reporting through a special series in print media, a series of news or public affairs
segments in broadcast media, or special resources available via the Internet. Projects that cover regions
typically underserved by media, including Sandzak and Southern Serbia are strongly encouraged.
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Politics and Elections: Coverage of the effects of the elections, particularly as relates to
cooperation with the ICTY, EU Integration, and Kosovo.
Health, education, Gender, Youth, and other social issues: The issues faced in Serbia in
citizens’ everyday lives.
Economy and Business: Issues as they relate to citizens’ lives or Serbia’s position in Europe.
Tolerance and Co-existence: Stories focusing on relations between groups and efforts to improve
relations.
Profiles of people who make a difference: Ordinary people doing extraordinary things to make a
difference in Serbia. Doctors, nurses, teachers, community leaders, charity workers or others who
have made contributions to the community.
Applicants should propose projects that educate and inform citizens on one of the topics listed above,
serve to promote wider community debate about the selected topic, and are sustainable past the end of the
grant period.
Eligibility:
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Media outlets legally organized under the laws of Serbia, including newspapers and magazines,
television stations, radio stations, Internet-based publications or websites, and news agencies. The
outlet must commit to publishing/broadcasting the supported project.
Individual journalists or groups of journalists. Journalists applying independently of a specific
media outlet must demonstrate a commitment from a media outlet or outlets to publish or
broadcast their work.
Funding limits:
As a general guideline, ProMedia II Serbia will award small grants up to $5,000 for print projects, up to
$5,000 for radio projects, and up to $20,000 for TV projects. Applicants may submit more than one
proposal.
Cost-Share: All applications must demonstrate at least 15% “cost-share.” Cost-share is either a cash or
“in-kind” contribution to the project (e.g., staff time, use of facilities, use of equipment, or other resource not
billed to the grant).
Evaluation Criteria:
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Proposed Activity Plan (30 points): The project/activity demonstrates a professional approach to
addressing the topic that will serve to educate the audience, contribute to a greater understanding
of the topic, and promote ongoing work after the grant. The project/activity is able to contribute to
the further development of independent media in Serbia. The project assessors will welcome ideas
from multi-ethnic teams of media companies or journalists. For example, an Serbian journalist
could team with an Albanian-language media outlet to produce a program or series of articles on
one of the topics listed above.
Capacity (30 Points): The applicant has the demonstrated capacity and required resources to
carry out all aspects of the project/activity in a professional manner.
Activity Impact (20 Points): The project/activity reaches and serves relevant audiences through its
design and implementation.
Cost (20 Points): The budget demonstrates an efficient use of funding to achieve project goals and
the applicant offers matching funds or in-kind contributions
Application Deadline: March 15, 2008
HOW TO APPLY: Media outlets and individual journalists may request a grant application form IREX
Serbia by email from <serbiagrants@irex.org>
Completed applications must be submitted by the above deadline via email only.
Late or incomplete applications will be reviewed at the sole discretion of IREX.
This request for grant applications does not commit USAID or IREX to pay any costs incurred in the
preparation of a grant application. USAID and IREX reserve the right to reject any or all applications
received.