U.S. Embassy in The
Kyrgyz Republic

Background

The U.S. Embassy Bishkek Public Diplomacy Section (PDS) of the U.S. Department of State is pleased to announce funding is available as specified below through the Embassy’s Media Small Grants Program.  This program supports the development of the Kyrgyz Republic’s media and its role in society by competitively awarding small grants to Kyrgyz non-profit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and associations working in the media sector, and to independent media organizations.  We encourage proposals that include partnerships with relevant government agencies and/or private sector institutions, including traditional and social media.  Awards will be made pending the availability of funds.

PDS invites proposals for programs that support Technical Training and Support for Professional Journalism.  These programs should promote the free flow of information and freedom of expression through support for independent and responsible journalism.  Programs should aim at strengthening capacity and sustainability of media organizations to report with transparency and objectivity, maintain independence, and build sustainability.

While media in the Kyrgyz Republic is the most open in the region, few outlets are truly independent and the industry suffers from self-censorship, a lack of professionalism, and financial sustainability issues.  Misinformation and disinformation are regularly disseminated by both local and international actors through local media.  Independent media outlets have been subjected to harassment, threats, and unfounded defamation lawsuits by subjects of reporting.

The Media Small Grants Program advances the U.S. Embassy goal of supporting a more inclusive and accountable democracy.  It seeks to expand the capabilities of independent media, resulting in increased production of balanced and locally relevant media products as well as diverse and alternative media narratives.  The program also supports the development of the Kyrgyz Republic’s nonprofit, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and associations working in the media-related areas.  Through local innovative strategies, the program may address policy priorities such as:

• Promoting freedom of speech and press.
• Increasing journalistic professionalism and sustainability of independent media organizations.
• Fostering government transparency and advocacy and fighting corruption.
• Informing the public regarding the work and contributions of civil society organizations to the Kyrgyz Republic’s social and economic development.
• Raising public awareness and participation in efforts to combat climate change and air pollution.
• Raising public awareness of and increasing resiliency to misinformation and disinformation.

Prior activities through this program have included support for projects that:

• Produced quality journalism and educate journalists on best practices, including investigative work on key issues.
• Strengthened editorial capacity through technical improvement and expansion of editorial staff, reduce the manipulative impact of fake news through regular monitoring and verification of socially significant and resonant news, and assist Kyrgyz consumers of news to increase their awareness of factual reporting on key issues.
• Educated the public on safe social media use for children by partnering with social media influencers and bloggers.
• Supported the ability of government relations officials to effectively communicate with constituents.

Proposed programs should be innovative and clearly demonstrate how they will complement any ongoing programs and avoid duplicating past efforts.  They may include activities that improve upon or expand existing successful projects.  Applicants should pay close attention to the PDS project goal and target audiences when developing their proposals.

Project Goal:  Strengthen the media environment in the Kyrgyz Republic by increasing the skills of media professionals and sustainability of independent media organizations.

Project Audience(s):

• Media entities, both traditional and online media
• Media managers and professionals
• University students specializing in journalism
• Social media influencers and bloggers who are committed to engaging on social issues.