Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS PRISTINA FY24 02
The Independent Media Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Kosovo (U.S. Embassy in Pristina) designed to bolster Kosovo-based independent media in a difficult information environment shaped by mis- and disinformation, as well as growing cyber threats. The core purpose is to help independent outlets and allied organizations become more resilient and self-sustaining while expanding their audience reach, especially among communities that are underserved or socially marginalized. The Embassy is looking for practical, results-oriented projects that improve the ability of local media to consistently deliver accurate, unbiased information and reduce the influence of narratives intended to undermine U.S. and Euro-Atlantic interests in Kosovo and the broader Western Balkans.
The call invites proposals that address one or more of five main themes. Projects may focus on strengthening independent media operations so they can grow their audience share and financial and organizational sustainability, particularly by better serving groups that often have limited access to credible local-language news. Another major theme is cyber defense: strengthening the capacity of Kosovan civil society and independent media to prevent, withstand, and respond to cyberattacks, which in turn supports accountability, transparency, and informed public debate. A related theme supports the development of Kosovo ethical hacker organizations, not only to identify vulnerabilities and help partners harden systems, but also to build their communication skills so they can clearly explain cyber risks to media partners and the general public, including risks tied to malicious access to critical infrastructure and sensitive information. The program also places strong emphasis on media literacy and critical thinking, particularly for youth from underserved minority communities who may be specifically targeted by disinformation or more susceptible to misinformation. Finally, it encourages projects that build durable relationships between independent journalists (including minority-community media) and youth audiences through engagement with organizations, schools, and universities, with the aim of dispelling misconceptions about journalists and making journalism careers more attractive to new generations.
In terms of intended outcomes, applicants are expected to clearly define goals tied to measurable results that can be assessed at the end of the project. The Embassy does not require a single proposal to cover all five themes; a focused project that strongly advances one priority area is acceptable as long as it includes tangible, trackable outcomes. The opportunity frames its work through four programming objectives: (1) develop sustainable practices and partnerships among independent Kosovan media that provide accurate, unbiased reporting in local languages; (2) increase the audience size and share for Kosovo-based independent outlets serving underserved communities, offering an alternative to sources that intentionally spread disinformation; (3) improve media literacy among targeted student audiences so they can identify and reject disinformation and avoid unintentionally spreading misinformation; and (4) improve understanding of the role of journalists in civil discourse and fact-based reporting in Kosovo’s multi-ethnic democracy, while encouraging youth from underserved communities to consider careers in independent journalism.
Key administrative details include the funding opportunity number PDS PRISTINA FY24 02 under CFDA 19.900, with grants as the funding instrument. The award ceiling is $150,000, and the Embassy anticipates making up to 6 awards. Eligible applicants include independent media organizations registered in Kosovo and not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations. The original application deadline listed is 2024-03-31. For official instructions and complete application requirements, applicants are directed to the full call materials in the related document, and questions about the application process can be sent to pristinagrants@state.gov.Apply for PDS PRISTINA FY24 02
- The U.S. Mission to Kosovo in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Independent Media Program" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.900.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-02-15.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-03-31. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $150,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 6 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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Independent Media Program (U.S. Embassy Pristina) - FAQs
1) What is the Independent Media Program?
The Independent Media Program is a discretionary grant opportunity from the U.S. Mission to Kosovo (U.S. Embassy in Pristina). It is designed to strengthen Kosovo-based independent media and allied organizations in a challenging information environment affected by mis- and disinformation and increasing cyber threats.
2) Who is offering this grant?
The grant is offered by the U.S. Mission to Kosovo (U.S. Embassy in Pristina).
3) What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?
The core purpose is to help independent outlets and allied organizations become more resilient and self-sustaining while expanding audience reach, especially among underserved or socially marginalized communities. The program seeks practical, results-oriented projects that improve the ability of local media to consistently deliver accurate, unbiased information and reduce the influence of narratives intended to undermine U.S. and Euro-Atlantic interests in Kosovo and the broader Western Balkans.
4) What types of projects is the Embassy looking for?
The Embassy is looking for practical, results-oriented projects with measurable, trackable outcomes. Projects can be focused (they do not need to cover every theme) as long as they strongly advance at least one priority area and include tangible results that can be assessed at the end of the project.
5) Do proposals have to address all program themes?
No. The Embassy does not require a single proposal to cover all five themes. A focused project that strongly advances one priority area is acceptable if it includes clear, measurable outcomes.
6) What are the five main themes mentioned in the call?
Proposals are invited that address one or more of the following themes:
- Strengthening independent media operations to grow audience share and improve financial and organizational sustainability, including better service to groups with limited access to credible local-language news.
- Cyber defense to strengthen the capacity of Kosovan civil society and independent media to prevent, withstand, and respond to cyberattacks.
- Supporting the development of Kosovo ethical hacker organizations to identify vulnerabilities, help harden systems, and strengthen communication so cyber risks are clearly explained to partners and the public, including risks involving critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
- Media literacy and critical thinking, especially for youth from underserved minority communities who may be targeted by disinformation or more susceptible to misinformation.
- Building durable relationships between independent journalists (including minority-community media) and youth audiences through engagement with organizations, schools, and universities, to dispel misconceptions about journalists and make journalism careers more attractive.
7) What outcomes are applicants expected to define?
Applicants are expected to define goals tied to measurable results that can be assessed at the end of the project. The call emphasizes tangible, trackable outcomes rather than broad or purely activity-based plans.
8) What are the program's four programming objectives?
The opportunity frames its work through four objectives:
- Develop sustainable practices and partnerships among independent Kosovan media that provide accurate, unbiased reporting in local languages.
- Increase the audience size and share for Kosovo-based independent outlets serving underserved communities, offering an alternative to sources that intentionally spread disinformation.
- Improve media literacy among targeted student audiences so they can identify and reject disinformation and avoid unintentionally spreading misinformation.
- Improve understanding of the role of journalists in civil discourse and fact-based reporting in Kosovo's multi-ethnic democracy, while encouraging youth from underserved communities to consider careers in independent journalism.
9) Who is eligible to apply?
Eligible applicants include independent media organizations registered in Kosovo and not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations.
10) Are only media outlets eligible, or can other organizations apply?
Other organizations can apply. In addition to independent media organizations registered in Kosovo, eligible applicants include not-for-profit organizations such as think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations.
11) Is this a grant or another type of award?
The funding instrument is a grant.
12) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?
The award ceiling is $150,000.
13) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?
The Embassy anticipates making up to 6 awards.
14) What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PDS PRISTINA FY24 02.
15) What is the CFDA number listed for this opportunity?
The opportunity references CFDA 19.900.
16) When is the application deadline?
The original application deadline listed is 2024-03-31.
17) What kind of information environment is this program responding to?
The program is responding to a difficult information environment shaped by mis- and disinformation, along with growing cyber threats.
18) Which audiences are prioritized in this call?
The call emphasizes expanding reach among communities that are underserved or socially marginalized. It also highlights youth, including youth from underserved minority communities, as a priority audience for media literacy and engagement activities.
19) What does the call say about local languages?
The program objectives include supporting independent Kosovan media that provide accurate, unbiased reporting in local languages, particularly to better serve groups with limited access to credible local-language news.
20) How does cyber defense fit into the program?
Cyber defense is a major theme. The call supports projects that strengthen the capacity of Kosovan civil society and independent media to prevent, withstand, and respond to cyberattacks, which supports accountability, transparency, and informed public debate.
21) What does the program mean by supporting "ethical hacker organizations"?
The call supports the development of Kosovo ethical hacker organizations to identify vulnerabilities and help partners harden systems. It also emphasizes improving these organizations' communication skills so they can clearly explain cyber risks to media partners and the general public, including risks tied to malicious access to critical infrastructure and sensitive information.
22) What is the role of media literacy in this opportunity?
Media literacy and critical thinking are emphasized, particularly for youth from underserved minority communities. The goal is to help students identify and reject disinformation and avoid unintentionally spreading misinformation.
23) Does the program support activities with schools and universities?
Yes. One of the themes encourages projects that build durable relationships between independent journalists (including minority-community media) and youth audiences through engagement with organizations, schools, and universities.
24) What is the intended impact on perceptions of journalism?
The call aims to dispel misconceptions about journalists, improve understanding of the role of journalists in civil discourse and fact-based reporting in Kosovo's multi-ethnic democracy, and make journalism careers more attractive to youth from underserved communities.
25) Where can applicants find official instructions and full application requirements?
Applicants are directed to the full call materials in the related document for official instructions and complete application requirements.
26) How can questions about the application process be submitted?
Questions about the application process can be emailed to pristinagrants@state.gov.
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