Support to ‘Western Balkans 6’ for Strengthening Media Freedom And Fighting Domestic And Gender-Based Violence
OPEN CALL FOR PROJECT PROPOSALS
The Balkan Trust for Democracy’s financial and technical assistance for this sub-granting process is part of the larger Norwegian efforts to support Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
THE PURPOSE OF THE CALL
Democratization, strengthening the rule of law, freedom of expression, protection of human rights, and the fight against domestic and gender-based violence continue to be fundamental for social transformation, whereas the prospect of European Union integrations remains the main impetus for change for the ‘Western Balkans 6’ countries (WB6).
The ‘Western Balkans 6’ countries are at different stages of democratization and the EU accession process, four of which are EU candidate countries (Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, and North Macedonia), whereas two remain potential candidates (Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo) at this time.
Already fragile democracies facing numerous challenges in the domains of the functioning of democratic institutions, the rule of law, human and minority rights, media freedom, and public administration reform, the WB6 countries have recently faced the challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has further challenged stability and ongoing reforms.
The purpose of this Call for Proposals is to contribute to reforms processes underpinned by EU integration by supporting civil society actors in the ‘Western Balkans 6’ countries - Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
This sub-granting scheme of the Balkan Trust for Democracy (BTD) is being realized with the support of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade.
Support is given to two priority areas:
I. Media Freedom
II. Fight against Domestic and Gender-based Violence
I - Media Freedom
The media landscape in the WB6 countries is characterized by a lack of transparency of media ownership and media funding, violations of media-related laws and regulations, instances of limited accountability of actors in the media sphere, political and economic pressure on journalists, threats to journalist safety, censorship, and self-censorship. Obstacles to free access to information continue to exist, whereas media pluralism remains limited. The COVID-19 pandemic only led to an exacerbation of the existing challenges in the media freedom sphere. Support under this Call for Proposals is conceived as a contribution to the creation of an enabling environment for free and independent media as a prerequisite of democratic societies.
The following actions are eligible under this priority:
- promoting media and digital literacy
- strengthening media integrity, including support to the work of media self-regulating bodies, media associations, media trade unions
- improvement of conditions for the safety of journalists
- investigative journalism
- promote access to information (freedom of information)
- contributing to disclose and prevent disinformation, falsified information and propaganda
- local media capacity-development and support
- research, media monitoring, monitoring of the work of regulatory bodies and functioning of the legal framework
- reporting, policy recommendations, advocacy
- contributing to media pluralism
II. Fight against domestic and gender-based violence[1]
Domestic and gender-based violence continues to be a widespread cause of concern across the WB6 area. Although respective national legal frameworks are adequate for the most part and are aligned with international legal instruments to a large extent, the Istanbul Convention[2] in particular, their effective implementation remains a challenge. Further efforts are needed in the areas of prevention of domestic and gender-based violence and a more coordinated and efficient institutional response to domestic and gender-based violence on behalf of all relevant actors. Civil society organizations are targeted by this call as key actors that can provide support in prevention, provide victim support services, as well as give a contribution to the improvement of the legal framework and harmonization with international legal instruments pertaining to domestic and gender-based violence in particular.
The following actions are eligible under this priority:
- educational activities focusing on prevention (targeting youth, teachers/professors and other educational staff)
- training activities (for members of the police, medical services, social work centres, the judiciary, educational institutions and other actors)
- awareness-raising (targeting the general public, as well as victims and potential victims of gender-based violence)
- research, monitoring, reporting, writing policy recommendations and advocacy pertaining to gender-based violence
- developing and/or effectuating early warning mechanisms
- coordination between relevant actors (including cross-sectorial cooperation)
- victim support services (psycho-social counselling, legal assistance[3]) and protection
- support to social reintegration of victims
- prevention of double victimisation of survivors of gender-based violence
- capacity-building[4] and networking among CSOs (local, national, regional)
Norwegian development assistance is guided by four cross-cutting issues: human rights, women’s rights and equality, climate and environment, and anti-corruption.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Eligibility criteria:
Civil society organizations registered in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia are eligible to apply for funding. Activities must take place on the territory of one or more countries eligible under this Call. Projects with cross-border activities among these countries are also eligible.
Partnerships:
Organizations may apply individually or in partnership with other civil society organizations (CSO) eligible under this call for proposals.
Funding:
The minimum amount of funding per project proposals is 21,700 EUR (25,000 USD)
The maximum amount of funding per project proposals is 180,000 EUR (207,000 USD)
Project duration: 6 months minimum, 18 months maximum, depending on the date of receipt of the application
This is an open call, and project proposals will be assessed continuously from August 5, 2020 up until October 15, 2021.
Proposals received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
The end date for project implementation is set to May 15, 2022.
Information on awarded projects will be published on BTD website.
THE APPLICATION
Project proposals must be submitted using the provided application forms, in the English language only.
The application documentation consists of the following mandatory documents:
- Narrative Application Form – Follow the link. Other narrative formats will not be accepted.
- Logical Framework Form - Follow the link. Other results framework formats will not be accepted.
- Budget Application Form – Follow the link. Other budget formats will not be accepted.
Should you have any questions regarding the Call, please send an email to [email protected] with subject line “WB6_20_22, [name of organization], [country].” No phone calls please.
PROCEDURE
Applications must be sent via e-mail to: [email protected] with the subject line “WB6_20_22, [name of organization], [country].”
Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration. The applicant will get e-mail confirmation of receipt upon submission of complete application documentation. Do not send any additional documentation, it will not be opened or reviewed.
All applicants will be evaluated on a competitive basis and notified of the decision.
[1] For the purpose of this Call, this term pertains to domestic and gender-based violence. It includes any forms of physical, psychological, sexual and economic violence or the likelihood/risk thereof, affecting women, children and men, and includes online forms of violence.
[2] The Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence, ratified by all WB6 countries except Kosovo.
[3] Providing free legal aid, where applicable
[4] Sub-granting is not eligible under this Call for Proposals
WB6 AWARDED GRANTS
Expand AllGrants awarded under the call: Support to “Western Balkans 6” for Strengthening Media Freedom and Fighting Domestic and Gender-Based Violence
1. Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN) Serbia — Digital Rights Action: Enabling free flow of information and media integrity; €100,000
(national, applicant based in Serbia)
The project aims to contribute to the creation of an online environment that enables the free flow of information, in line with the standards of digital rights and media freedoms. The project will implement three activity packages: informing, advocacy and capacity building, targeting three main groups of stakeholders/beneficiaries: the general public, policymakers, and media/journalists.
2. Citizens Association MOST–F2N2 — Fighting COVID-19 Disinformation Through Regional Cooperation; €59,441
(regional, applicant based in North Macedonia, implemented in North Macedonia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Serbia)
The project aims to contribute towards rebuilding citizens' trust in democracy by combating disinformation and fake news through in-depth research and media monitoring, and creating and sharing fact-based narratives. Additionally, the project will provide awareness-raising, targeting key stakeholders and the general public in the Balkan region about malign disinformation with foreign influence, with an emphasis on COVID-19 pandemic related disinformation.
3. Novi Sad School of Journalism — Ringing for the MIL — Strengthening of Media and Information Literacy Education within the Formal Serbian School Systems; €21,680
(regional, applicant based in Serbia, implemented in Serbia and Montenegro)
The main focus of the project is on strengthening media and information literacy education within the formal Serbian school system as a form of functional literacy of citizens of a democratic society in the 21st century. The project will offer creative educational solutions, materials, and curricula for the stimulation and introduction of innovative teaching methods through media and information literacy. High school teachers' capacities will be increased, and they will be encouraged to use media and information literacy (MIL) tools within the education system and disclose and prevent disinformation, falsified information, and propaganda.
4. Media Diversity Institute Western Balkans — Reporting Diversity Network 2.0; €124,639
(regional, applicant based in Serbia, implemented in all WB6 countries)
The project aims to activate the role of civil society in countering divisive media narratives and replacing them with much needed positive discourse contributing to the value of good neighboring relations and respect for diversity. The project will empower a regional network of CSOs to work together with the aim to influence the quality of media messages affecting portrayals of ethnicity, religion, and gender as pressing thematic areas relevant for overall levels of understanding and tolerance. The Reporting Diversity Network will provide tools, resources, and much needed evidence for all of civil society for use toward more inclusive media, and effective legislation and policymaking in the areas promoting tolerance both nationally and regionally in all six Western Balkans countries.
5. Centre for Civic Education – Media for ME; €21,700
(national, applicant based in Montenegro)
The objective of the action is to enhance the sustainability of the media and professional, independent and investigative journalism. The specific objective is to strengthen Montenegro’s legal and practical framework. Main activities include research on the perception of the independence and professionalism of the Montenegrin media, reporting on public funding of media, support to media and journalists in implementing new media legislation, monitoring of the implementation of the new legislation with advocacy for further improvements, drafting a shadow report on public funding of media in 2020, strengthening the capacities of students in media literacy, and promoting investigative and analytical journalism.
6. Trade Union of Media of Montenegro — Support to the Freedom of Media and Journalistic Standards; €89,800
(national, applicant based in Montenegro)
The project focuses on monitoring the implementation of media legislation, capacity building of journalists on ethical reporting and human rights standards, and addressing the issues of safety of journalists and their rights. The main objectives are: monitoring of the implementation media legislation, strengthening ethical media reporting with a specific focus on the socially vulnerable groups, and improving the safety of journalists. A court monitoring report and an analysis of the state of affairs concerning labor rights of journalists will result in a series of policy recommendations as the basis of a public advocacy campaign and public debate.
7. Association of Roma Women Osvit – Roma Women for a Society without Gender-Based Violence; €49,990
(national, applicant based in Serbia)
The project contributes to the fight against domestic and gender-based violence by empowering women victims of violence and support provision, raising awareness of public officials in institutions working with victims of violence, raising public awareness, and drafting recommendations for the improvement of local policies and budgeting. The project entails SOS telephone service provision, seminars with representatives of local institutions, monitoring of the implementation of local policies for the protection of women from violence, drafting and presenting recommendations, as well as public advocacy.
8. Association of Journalists of Macedonia – Safer Media Workers for Quality Journalism in North Macedonia; €73,063
(national, applicant based in North Macedonia)
The project will contribute to the creation of an environment that enables meaningful participation of media associations and trade unions as influential actors in society, to advance media freedom and journalists’ safety. The project’s specific objectives are to advocate for and raise awareness of the need for improving the safety and socio-economic environment of journalists and media workers, with a focus on gender-specific issues, as a precondition for free and independent media and democratic development of society. In-depth research on media freedoms, freedom of expression, labor rights, working conditions in newsrooms and other problems faced by media professionals, especially research that identifies gender-specific issues, serves as a basic instrument for preparing a legal analysis and policy papers that will be the main advocacy tool in lobbying for changes of the legal framework. Awareness-raising activities will focus on the freedom of expression and gender issues in North Macedonian newsrooms. This activity will also target media owners and managers to help them understand the importance of diversity in the newsrooms for professional reporting.
9. Investigative Reporting Regional Network (BIRN Hub Bosnia and Herzegovina) —
Countering and Mapping Digital Abuses of Violence against Girls and Women; €89,984
(regional, applicant based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented in all WB6 countries)
The project will detect the trends and the most frequent types of online violence against women and girls in the “Western Balkans 6” countries. The collected data will serve to create a comprehensive report addressing gender-based violence and exploitation in the digital environment. A set of recommendations for protection and prevention will be produced, disseminated online, and shared with relevant stakeholders in each country and the public. The cross-regional report, compiling the mapped trends and patterns on gender-based violence in the online environment, will be issued at the end of the project period. A specialized program for journalists on how to report on gender-sensitive issues will enhance the capacity of journalists to understand the complexity of gender-based violence and exploitation, empowering them to engage in covering gender-related issues. A set of recommendations for the women survivors from the region will be prepared based on the inputs from the regional women networks and findings of the monitoring process. Finally, a campaign will be conducted to raise awareness of violence against women in the online sphere.
10. “Vatra” Psycho-Social Center — Systemic Interventions to Fight Gender-Based Violence in Albania; €80,760
(national, applicant based in Albania)
The project uses a systemic approach for the improvement of access to and quality of services for victims of domestic and gender-based violence in all regions of Albania. It aims to improve the institutional response, coordination, and quality of victim protection services, as well as provide direct support services to victims and foster their social re-integration. Decision-makers will be targeted via evidence-based policy recommendations for an improved and well-functioning system of victim protection. Service-providers will be targeted by capacity-building activities, which will raise the overall level of the quality of services available to victims. Victims of violence will also receive direct support services (medical, legal, psychological, socio-economic, educational and others). A public campaign will raise overall social awareness on the issues of domestic and gender-based violence, including trafficking, as a community-level preventative approach.
11. CURE Foundation — Speak Up Against Violence; €79,515
(regional, applicant based in Bosnia and Herzegovina, implemented also in Serbia)
The overall goal is the eradication of violence against young women and increased young girls’ safety from sexual and gender-based violence in youth relationships. Different target groups (women’s NGO, high school students, and young women) who are part of an education program in the project will become initiators and creators of activities.
12. Foundation United Women — Improved Rights and Support to Victims in Criminal Proceedings for Gender-Based Violence; €21,647
(national, applicant based in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The overall goal of the project is to improve the rights, support, and protection for victims of domestic and gender-based violence in criminal proceedings in the Republic of Srpska, in line with the standards of the European Union and the Council of Europe.
13. Association of Women SEKA Gorazde — Enhancing the Cross-Sectoral Response to Domestic and Gender-Based Violence in the Bosnian-Podrinje Canton of Gorazde; €34,750
(national, applicant based in Bosnia and Herzegovina)
The proposed project aims to enhance alignment with international standards in the areas of domestic and gender-based violence, improve the work of responsible institutions responsible in cases of domestic and gender-based violence, improve the quality of services available to victims as well as their access to justice.
14. Kosovo Glocal (Kosovo 2.0) — Responsive Journalism for an Active Citizenry; €100,000
(national, applicant based in Kosovo)
The proposed project aims to foster citizenry engaged in critical assessments of the societal, political, and cultural context in Kosovo and the region, that plays an active role in public debate, participation, and action.
15. Initiative for Justice and Equality Inject — Women’s Rights are Human Rights. Protect them; €89,668
(national, applicant based in Kosovo)
The proposed project aims to improve access to justice for victims of domestic and gender-based violence through provision of direct support services (legal representation and counselling), trainings of the police, prosecutors, and judges, as well as sensibilization of young people and the general public through public appearances and debates.
16. Integriteti Minoritar — Safety Begins from Home; €20,755
(national, applicant based in Kosovo)
The proposed project aims to contribute to the reduction of domestic and gender-based violence by showing the weakness and strengths of referral mechanisms used to identify, refer, and treat victims of violence and provide services to them.
17. Women’s Safe House Podgorica — Protected and Safe: Combating Sexual Violence in Montenegro; €42,877
(national, applicant based in Montenegro)
The overall goal is to contribute to the establishment of comprehensive legal and policy solutions for protection against sexual violence in Montenegro, as well as raising public awareness of the issue of sexual violence in Montenegro.
18. Helsinki Committee for Human Rights Skopje — Changing Policies, Challenging Perspectives; €82,660
(national, applicant based in North Macedonia)
The overall goal of the project is to contribute toward reducing gender inequality in North Macedonia, addressing the deeply rooted stereotypes through a comprehensive approach that includes specific interventions in the field of gender-based violence, through which different aspects of the problem are addressed.
19. National Network to End Violence Against Women and Domestic Violence — Counselling Centers for Women and Children Victims of Gender-Based Violence and Domestic Violence; €99,940
(national, applicant based in North Macedonia)
The project is to establish two counselling centers for women and children victims of domestic and gender-based violence in two cities in North Macedonia, Skopje and Tetovo, to contribute toward improving access of victims to specialized services and enabling them to lead independent lives free of violence.
20. Hourglass (Pescanik — Rule-of-Law Monitoring in the Context of a Pandemic; €56,460
(national, applicant based in Serbia)
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to societal transformation and the democratization process in Serbia through strengthening the rule of law and freedom of expression.
21. Association of Local Independent Media Local Press — Media Development Lab; €62,262
(national, applicant based in Serbia)
The overall goal of this project is to increase engagement and citizens’ understanding of—and participation in—democratic processes in Serbia and EU integration efforts by using local media voices.
22. Artistic Production Group ShockART — Game of Truths; €21,680
(national, applicant based in Serbia)
The goal of the educational and promotional project is to raise general understanding of gender equality and gender-based violence in Serbia, as well as to promote gender equality.
23. Independent Journalists’ Association of Serbia (IJAS) — safejournalists.net, Western Balkans Regional Journalists’ Network; €99,768
(regional, applicant based in Serbia)
The project focuses on improving the safety of journalists and enhancing media freedom. An informal regional network of journalists’ organizations (five associations and one trade union) aims to introduce a strong and efficient mechanism for monitoring, recording, and responding to violations of journalists’ rights and media freedoms based on a uniform methodology used throughout the Western Balkans.
24. American Councils for International Education Kosova — Media Education Exchange Talks (MEET) Western Balkans; €83,057
(regional, applicant based in Kosovo)
Through Media Education Exchange Talks (MEET) Western Balkans, American Councils for International Education aims to bring high school teachers together with university and high school students to disclose and prevent disinformation, falsified information, and propaganda and strengthen the demand for objective, fact-based, reliable information in local communities. The project aims to foster an expanded domestic audience, promote media and digital literacy, and increase educational and cultural exchange among Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia.
25. Tirana Centre for Journalism Excellence — Better Informed Journalists, Better Journalism, Less Disinformation; €21,690
(national, applicant based in Albania)
The main goal of the project is to increase the capacity and knowledge of local journalists in Albania in reporting on elections, European integration, and human rights and to provide them with an online space where they can publish stories free from the financial and political pressures of traditional media.
26. Youth Initiative for Human Rights Bosnia and Herzegovina — Media-Law Clinic; €31,530
Bosnia and Herzegovina
The project’s overall goal is to create a safe environment which guarantees freedom of expression, enhance the quality of journalism, and establish pluralistic means of media reporting in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Specific objectives will be achieved through a different cluster of activities encompassing cooperation between three universities (Banja Luka, Mostar, and Sarajevo) and three different departments (law, journalism, and sociology ethics); a toolkit specially designed for the media-law clinic in the form of legal cases (Moot Court) for the first MLC program as well as future students; three media-law clinics with three different themes (hate speech, discrimination, and fake news).
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Expand AllSupport to ‘Western Balkans 6’ for strengthening media freedom and fighting domestic and gender-based violence - Call for Proposals
Is it possible for independent media organizations to apply for funding?
Only civil society organizations (CSO) are eligible to apply to this call for proposals.
Does this call for proposals include core support to organizations?
Support is not intended as an institutional grant. Therefore, project activities need to be developed and specified in advance, in line with the objectives of the call.
How many applications can one organization submit?
You can apply with up to two projects. An organization can be the lead applicant on one project, and the partner organization on the other. This applies regardless of whether the projects are national/local or regional.
What kind of partnership is allowed under this call for proposals?
Organizations may apply individually or in partnership with other civil society organizations (CSO) eligible under this call for proposals. In the case of a successful application, an agreement is signed with the lead applicant.
How are regional partnerships and networks contracted? Are agreements signed with all participants individually?
An agreement is signed with the lead applicant. Partnership can be based on participation in a formal network, in which case a founding document of the network should be submitted. If the network is informal, a memorandum of understanding between the members of the network/project partners should be submitted with the application. The applicant is fully responsible for the implementation and further distribution of funds among partners and is subject to audit.
Do partner organizations need to be CSOs? Can they be registered in a country other than the WB6 countries?
Both the applicant and partner organizations need to be registered as civil society organizations (CSO) under this call for proposals. The call does not include organizations registered outside of the WB6 countries covered by the eligibility criteria. The idea is for local organizations to work in the areas covered by their mandate, or to network further within the region.
Is sub-granting an eligible activity under this call?
Sub-granting is not an eligible activity under this call for proposals.
Is there any specific time for projects’ approval? Will all project proposals be considered at the end of a specific period?
Decisions are made on a regular basis by the BTD Grants’ Review Committee (up to four times in one calendar year). The next review of proposals will be in February 2021. Proposals received after December 15 will not be considered for this review. They will be reviewed in the next round.
Is there an end date for submitting project proposals?
The end date for receiving proposals under this call is October 15, 2021. Proposals received after this date will not be taken into consideration.
When will we know the outcome of our application?
Once the review process is over, all applicants will be notified via email. If an application is successful, BTD will send an email confirming the Grants’ Review Committee’s decision. In case the application has not been selected, the applicant will receive an official email notification.
►Note: We are not able to provide individual information on the ongoing status of applications before the final decision has been made.
Who do we sign the contract with?
Successful applicants will sign a contract with BTD.
How are the decisions made?
The same assessment criteria applies for all BTD programs supported by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Belgrade. The information is published on our webpage. BTD operates with a small, skilled staff with extensive experience in the region. BTD further engages experts on its Grants’ Review Committee, which is composed of GMF staff members engaged in civil society work across the globe, as well as BTD donors and partners.
Disclaimer: The content of this document is for information purposes only. The relevant legal instruments and the text of the call shall take precedence over the information contained in this document.