Support for local media in covering civic participation

The Ukrainian Media and Society Foundation (UMSF), part of the NGO “Internews-Ukraine” is announcing a competition for regional media outlets as part of the project “Strengthening the Capacity of Local Media and Public Access to Information” supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

The goal is to support regional media in covering civic participation, ensure access to verified information, and counter disinformation. 

Participant requirements:

• The editorial office must have a regional or local status and be a registered legal entity (NGO or LLC)
• The media outlet must have been operating for at least one year
• Proven capacity to implement the project within set timelines
• Adherence to independent editorial policy and professional journalism standards

The programme provides financial support for media projects under defined conditions.

Key terms:

• Maximum grant amount — USD 4,000
• Project duration — up to 4 months

What the funding covers:

• content production costs;
• adaptation of content for social media;
• team fees;
• operational costs required for project implementation.

Supported content formats:

• multimedia projects (combining text, photo, and video);
• video stories;
• thematic and analytical articles;
• audio content and podcasts.

The programme supports initiatives focused on producing quality media content and strengthening civic engagement.

Key activities:

• production and dissemination of multimedia content (video, audio, photos, infographics);
• development of series of materials or comprehensive media projects on related topics;
• adaptation of content for social media (e.g. short videos, visual formats, stories).

Types of projects and content focus:

• coverage of key issues affecting local communities;
• exploration of interaction between citizens and local authorities;
• counteracting disinformation and information manipulation;
• topics related to civic participation, transparency, and democratic practices;
• community development, volunteer initiatives, and reconstruction challenges.

Expected results:

• creation of a media project or series of materials that is engaging and accessible;
• use of multimedia formats adapted to different platforms;
• improved content quality through mentoring support, including storytelling and ethical standards.

Key dates:

• Application period: 30 March 2026 – 20 April 2026
• Application deadline — 20 April 2026 (inclusive)
• Announcement of winners: by 8 May 2026

Project implementation:

• Media projects implementation period: April – August 2026

Key submission requirements:

• each media outlet may submit only one application;
• the application must include a portfolio with at least three examples of publications covering civic participation and public engagement topics;
• a detailed budget for the media project or series of materials is mandatory, including personnel costs.

Evaluation of Project Proposals

• Only proposals that meet the programme’s objectives and requirements are admitted
• An independent expert jury evaluates all submissions and prepares a shortlist
• The UMSF Supervisory Board reviews the shortlist and selects winners through voting
• If necessary, applicants may be contacted to provide additional information or clarifications

Applications are assessed using a defined scoring system with a maximum of up to 50 points.

1. Media project concept — 30 points:

• relevance to the competition theme;
• clarity of concept and idea description;
• potential reach and impact;
• use of multimedia tools and adaptation for social media.

2. Financial proposal — 10 points:

• justification and cost-effectiveness of the budget;
• detailed and transparent budget structure;
• budget must not exceed USD 4,000

3. Applicant’s capacity — 10 points:

• relevant experience in content production;
• experience in grant projects.

The final score is calculated as the sum of all criteria.

• Portfolio (at least 3 samples);
• project budget.