U.S. Consulate General in Krakow Grant: Promoting Polish Media Coverage of Ukrainian Return and Rebuilding

Organizations must be based in either Poland or the United States. Organizations based in other countries should not apply. Organizations based in the United States should present evidence of a relationship with a local partner operating in Poland as part of their proposals.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE

U.S. Consulate General in Krakow

Notice of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity Title: Promoting Local Polish Media Coverage of Ukrainians Returning and Rebuilding    

Funding Opportunity Number: WAW-NOFO-FY23-05

Deadline for Applications: Friday, September 15, 2023                  

Assistance Listing Number: 19.040 – Smith-Mundt 

Total Amount Available: $50,000

A. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Consulate General in Krakow announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a project to promote coverage in Poland by local and regional media representatives of stories in Ukraine, to include a small grants competition for Polish journalists to support this work. Please follow all instructions below.

Program Objectives:

The Public Diplomacy Section of U.S. Consulate General Krakow seeks to promote in-depth reporting by local and regional Polish media of the return of Ukrainian families from Poland to Ukraine and their social and physical rebuilding efforts, particularly those built on partnerships between Poles and Ukrainians. The goal of this funding opportunity is to promote: public understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by Ukrainians; public interest in Ukrainian efforts to return and rebuild; and the enduring impact of support provided by Polish society to Ukrainian refugees. This effort builds on the success of many Polish news organizations to provide in-depth war coverage and localized content from Ukraine, and the country’s rich tradition of high-quality journalism in conflict zones. The project seeks to expand the reach of such reporting to new audiences and provide diverse perspectives to established audiences.

This project will support training and content production, tailored to Polish journalists. On a competitive basis, the project will provide small grants for Polish journalists to develop and execute reporting on the return of refugees from Poland and rebuilding efforts. Measures of success will include qualitative and quantitative analysis of the quality and reach of reports generated by participating journalists.

The workshop(s) should address: culturally sensitive and trauma-informed manner and how to create compelling human-interest stories in this context. Safety measures will be emphasized, especially if there are participants interested in reporting from eastern Ukraine. Workshop sessions should be led by individuals accomplished in human-interest and conflict reporting in Ukraine, as well as experts in the intersection between mental health and journalism in war zones and other experts with relevant knowledge and experience. 

Workshop participants will then be invited to submit proposals for financial support for the development of journalistic content focused on stories of refugees who have returned from Poland to Ukraine and/or ongoing efforts to rebuild or strengthen Ukrainian communities physically, economically, or socially.   The most competitive proposals will be selected for funding. Applicants should address in their proposals experience and expertise in supporting professional journalists through reporting tours or other mechanisms.

The following types of programs, activities and expenses are not eligible for funding: 

• Programs relating to partisan political activity;
• Charitable or development activities;
• Construction programs;
• Programs that support specific religious activities;
• Fund-raising campaigns;
• Lobbying for specific legislation or programs;
• Scientific research;
• Programs intended primarily for the growth or institutional development of the organization; or
• Programs that duplicate existing programs.
• Paying to complete activities already begun;
• Ongoing salary costs;
• Alcoholic beverages

Participants and Audiences:

Polish journalists and editors from local and regional outlets throughout the country. Photographers, videographers, audio technicians, and producers may be included as journalists. Applicants should describe in detail how they will select participants and how many people will be included in each phase of the program.  

See pl.usembassy.gov/education-culture/grants/ for full text of notice of funding opportunity.