U.S. Department of State’s Africa Regional Services Grant for Regional Journalism Workshops in Africa

• U.S. or African based public and private educational institutions

• Public International Organizations and Governmental institutions with experience in Sub Sahara

Africa Regional Services in the Bureau of African Affairs of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to provide digital education to African journalists. If possible, in-person workshops will also be conducted. The program will promote improved knowledge and understanding of newsgathering strategies, media ethics, journalist safety, investigative reporting, and the business of journalism. The program will also provide structured interaction between American and African journalists, which will contribute to stronger professional ties and lasting relationships. Approximately 300 African journalists on the frontline of information gathering and reporting, ages 25 to 40, will participate in 12 virtual workshops (four in French, four in Portuguese, four in English) led by experienced American journalists between October 2020-February 2022. If possible, approximately 100 of the virtual workshop participants will participate in in-person conferences at the end of the series. Please carefully follow all instructions below.

It is ARS’ intent to award one cooperative agreement for an estimated total amount of $400,000, pending the availability of FY 2020 funds. ARS reserves the right to amend or modify the composition of the final award and its funding level based upon the quality of proposals submitted, the availability of funds, and other factors impacting long-term foreign policy objectives.

Priority Region: Sub-Saharan Africa

The Regional Journalism Workshops in Africa Program supports the following broad goals:

1.Promote improved knowledge and understanding of newsgathering strategies, media ethics, journalist safety, crisis reporting, and the business of journalism.

2. Provide structured interaction between American and African journalists which will contribute to stronger professional ties and lasting relationships

The list of workshops will include but not be limited to:

·        A series of four virtual workshops led by seasoned American journalists fluent in French for 80 francophone journalists representing at least five francophone countries in Africa.

·        A series of four virtual workshops led by a seasoned American journalist fluent in Portuguese for 80 lusophone journalists representing at least three lusophone countries in Africa.

·        A series of four virtual workshops led by a seasoned American journalist for 80 anglophone journalists representing at least five anglophone countries in Africa.

These workshops will take place between October 2020-December 2021.

If travel is possible in early 2022, the award recipient will organize three conferences (one each in French, Portuguese, and English) to take place in Africa for 35 participants from each of the three workshop series. The conferences will seek to reinforce key concepts of the virtual workshop via interactive activities. They will also provide structured interaction between the American and African journalists and networking opportunities for journalists confronting the same issues in different countries and contexts. The award recipient will work with ARS to determine a selection process for in-person participants.

The award recipient should engage at least two different American journalists as presenters per series in order to provide varying perspectives. The award recipient will work with ARS and the relevant U.S. Embassies to pair each American journalist with a deputy presenter who is a seasoned African journalist from the relevant region. During both the virtual and in-person conferences, the main role of the deputy presenter is to support effective communication between the American presenter and the participants. The role of the deputy presenter would be more substantial during the in-person conferences, if they are able to take place. The award recipient will work with ARS and the relevant U.S. Embassies to achieve diversity and gender equity in the facilitators and participants.