Global Media Defense Fund (GMDF): 2025 Partnership Project Competition

The Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF) at UNESCO supports partner-organization projects aimed at strengthening the legal protection of journalists and freedom of expression through the provision of legal assistance, the operation of national safety mechanisms, the development of investigative journalism, and strategic litigation against violations of journalists’ rights.

Partner projects must directly contribute to achieving at least one of the GMDF objectives related to strengthening the responsiveness of national safety mechanisms and support networks, reducing impunity for crimes against journalists, and improving legal and regulatory environments for independent, free, and pluralistic media.

The indicative total budget of the call is approximately USD 800,000, which will be distributed among the highest-rated proposals (approximately 16–25 grants).

Only non-profit legal entities (non-commercial organizations, foundations, professional associations, academic institutions, intergovernmental organizations, etc.) with official status and registered as non-profit for at least two years, and which have been active during this period, are eligible to apply.

The following are not eligible: individuals, private companies, unincorporated entities, and incorporated non-profit organizations with less than two years of operational experience.

Each applicant may submit only one partnership proposal and may therefore receive only one grant under this call.

Joint or coalition initiatives are encouraged; however, the application must be submitted by one organization — the lead applicant, which will be the contracting party with UNESCO. An organization that does not meet the two-year eligibility requirement may participate by partnering with a mentor organization that does meet the requirements and serves as the lead applicant.

Applicants must not be listed on the UN Security Council Consolidated Sanctions List or on the UNGM list of vendors declared ineligible.

• Funding for activities that directly contribute to achieving GMDF objectives in the areas of journalist safety and media freedom, including legal protection measures, investigative journalism, and strategic litigation.

• Coverage of direct costs necessary for implementing the proposed activities and directly linked to achieving the project’s objectives (costs must be clearly attributable to project implementation and proportionally reflect actual use within the project).

• Limited coordination costs — up to 15% of the budget requested from UNESCO/GMDF — to ensure the implementation of activities (preferably included as part of the partner’s contribution).

• Procurement of goods, works, and services within the project, up to 33% of the budget financed by UNESCO/GMDF.

• Costs related to integrating environmental sustainability into project implementation (e.g., environmentally friendly visibility materials, minimization of single-use plastics).

Provision of legal assistance to journalists (including legal advice, representation in court, etc.).

Developing and strengthening support mechanisms (national security mechanisms, hotlines, mutual assistance networks, and other structures that provide journalists with rapid access to legal protection).

Supporting investigative journalism that helps reduce impunity for crimes against journalists.

Strengthening structures that facilitate strategic litigation to create and protect a favorable legal and regulatory environment for freedom of expression and independent media.

Activities that integrate a human rights-based approach and gender equality at all stages of implementation.

1. Complete the online application template by filling in all mandatory fields (the template is available in English, French, and Spanish).

2. After completing the online form, download the generated PDF version of the application and have it signed by the organization’s authorized representative.

3. Prepare all required supporting documents (partner identification form, budget, implementation schedule, legal status documents, financial statements, organigram, CVs/biographies, etc.).

4. Submit the signed application form and all required documents by email to gmdf@unesco.org before the deadline; documents must be submitted as attachments only (file-sharing links are not accepted).

Only one application may be submitted; once submitted, revised versions of documents will not be accepted.

Preliminary Assessment

Verification of eligibility (timely submission, completeness of the documentation package, correct format and signatures) and compliance with admissibility/eligibility criteria (non-profit status, relevant experience, financial capacity, etc.).

Profile, Experience, and Capacity of the Applicant (30 points)

• demonstrated and verifiable experience in implementing similar projects;

• relevant operational experience and capacity in the target countries/regions;

• sound financial standing and internal control procedures, ability to manage the requested funding volume;

• appropriate management structure and resources.

Technical Proposal (40 points)

• contribution to achieving UNESCO and GMDF objectives;

• activities that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound (S.M.A.R.T.), with an implementation period of 6–18 months;

• operational and technical feasibility;

• application of a human-rights-based approach, with a focus on international standards on human rights and freedom of expression;

• mandatory gender integration (at minimum gender-sensitive, and preferably gender-transformative);

• sustainability of results, presence of complementarity and/or synergies with other initiatives.

Financial Proposal (30 points)

• the requested amount is proportionate to the organization’s administrative and financial capacity;

• partner’s “added value” through its own contribution (monetary or in-kind);

• detailed budget, justification of resource needs, value for money, acceptability and appropriateness of costs compared to local standards, environmental considerations.

Additional points for:

• supporting local leadership and involving local partners;

• alignment with UNESCO global priorities, including a focus on women journalists, gender-transformative approaches, participation of women leaders and women’s rights organizations;

• focusing on Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS);

• working with UNESCO priority groups (Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, youth).

• Completed and signed Application Form, generated online.

• UNESCO Partner Identification Form, completed and signed.

• Signed project budget, prepared using the mandatory Budget Proposal Template (Annex 4), as well as the unsigned/unfilled Excel file of the same template (if a signed PDF version is submitted).

• Completed project implementation timetable using the GMDF Project Timetable (Annex 5) template.

• Official certificate of the organization’s legal status (with translation into English or French if required).

• Annual financial statements for the last two fiscal years (if regular audits are conducted – the last two audit reports, with translation into English or French if required).

• Organigram (organizational chart) of the organization, if available.

• CVs or professional biographies of at least three key project team members.

• Disbursement of funds and subsequent tranches depends on the submission and approval by UNESCO of reporting materials that demonstrate actual progress in project implementation.

• Narrative interim reports are required (the number will be determined during the negotiation of the IPA conditions), as well as quarterly financial reports in accordance with UNESCO standards.

• The final narrative report and a certified financial report are conditions for receiving the last payment; all expenses must be supported by appropriate documentation and must comply with the approved budget.

• All payments are made subject to confirmation of satisfactory performance by the responsible UNESCO officer and submission of signed invoices/payment requests.

• Projects must comply with UNESCO rules, international human rights standards, freedom of expression, and the safety of journalists, including standards set out in UN and regional human rights instruments.

Funding is provided on the basis of a partnership agreement with the contractor – Implementation Partners’ Agreement (IPA), the terms and conditions and a sample of which are provided in the template (Annex 6).

The agreement is concluded in accordance with UNESCO’s administrative rules and procedures; its terms and conditions may be reviewed and agreed with the selected partner prior to signing.

In case of excessive delays in finalizing the IPA through no fault of UNESCO, inability to reach agreement on the terms, or negative results of the final due diligence, the grant offer may be withdrawn and transferred to another organization.

Grant funds may only be used for activities specified in the agreed IPA.