Internews invites media organizations and outlets based in Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine (oPt) and Tunisia to apply for the SharaKa project Emergency Operational Grants. These grants are designed to respond and mitigate the impact of crises by providing essential operational support to ensure that the newsrooms can sustain their operations, retain skilled journalists, and deliver critical information to their communities. Internews is dedicating a pool of $35,000 for four grants, ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 each. Priority will be given to media organizations most impacted and/or at-risk due to sudden disruption caused by the ongoing war crisis and political tension, as well as those reporting on climate justice issues. Through these grants, Internews aims to strengthen the resilience of media organizations during times of turmoil, enabling newsrooms to adapt swiftly to changing circumstances and remain steadfast in providing reliable, timely and vital information to their communities.

Project Overview

Project Description:

SharaKa – for Inclusive Climate Action aims to promote climate justice in Jordan, Lebanon, Tunisia, and Palestine (oPt) by increasing the ability of civil society and citizens to safely and meaningfully influence and co-create inclusive climate actions. The project will build a network of learning and exchange of Climate CSOs and Media actors enhancing the production of meaningful and inclusive information to the wider public. The project will be implemented by Hivos, Internews, the Arab Reform Initiative (ARI), and the Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism (ARIJ), in close collaboration with local climate CSOs and independent Media outlets & actors.

Project Goals:

1. Empower diverse Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Natural Resources Defenders (NRDs), and media outlets and actors to influence, co-create and contribute to inclusive climate policies at national, regional and global levels.
2. Enhance the capacity of media outlets and actors to provide credible, inclusive and engaging information on climate issues.
3. Provide access to safety and security mechanisms, networks and coordinated alliances to CSOs, NRDs and media, enabling them to inform decision making and ensure accountability from decision-makers.

About Internews:

Internews is an international nonprofit operating in 100 countries. At Internews, we believe everyone deserves trustworthy news and information to make informed decisions about their lives and hold power to account. We train journalists and digital rights activists, tackle disinformation, and offer business expertise to help media outlets become financially sustainable. For more information about the organization please visit: www.internews.com.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Organizational Type:
   • Be a registered, independent media organization in one of the target countries.
2. Geographic Focus:
   • Operate in one of the following countries: Lebanon, Palestine (Gaza and the West Bank), Jordan, or Tunisia.
3. Focus Area:
   • Be actively reporting on or willing to produce content related to climate issues, environmental challenges, or sustainability.
4. Operational Impact:
   • Demonstrate significant operational challenges due to recent crises, such as financial instability, damaged infrastructure, or threats to staff safety.
5. Prioritization Criteria:
   • Media organizations impacted by war and/ or political crisis will be given priority consideration.
6. Exclusions:
   • Applications from individuals or unregistered organizations will not be considered.
   • Organizations with existing Internews grants during the same period are not eligible.
   • Organizations registered outside of the target countries.

Grant Details

• Funding Amount: Grants will range from $5,000 to $10,000.
• Grant Period: Up to 6 months.
• Funding Opportunity Number: 4
• Application Deadline: January 13, 2025

Eligible Use of Funds

1. Operational and Administrative Costs:
   • Office rent and utilities (electricity, water, internet).
   • Essential office supplies.
2. Staff Retention and Well-Being:
   • Salaries and benefits to prevent layoffs or salary reductions.
   • Provision of psychosocial support services for journalists and staff experiencing trauma.
3. Equipment and Infrastructure Repairs:
   • Repair or replacement of damaged equipment (e.g., cameras, microphones, laptops).
   • Acquisition of backup equipment to ensure operational continuity.
4. Digital and Cybersecurity Enhancements:
   • Subscription to secure communication tools and cloud storage services.
   • Upgrades to software or systems to improve digital security and protect sensitive data.
5. Emergency Response and Crisis Adaptation:
   • Establishment of temporary workspaces if office premises are inaccessible.
   • Support for journalists’ relocation or safe housing in high-risk situations.
6. Audience Engagement and Community Outreach:
   • Expenses for public awareness campaigns.
7. Transportation and Logistics:
   • Travel expenses for field reporting.
   • Fuel costs for vehicles used in news-gathering or logistical operations.
8. Content Production and Distribution:
   • Expenses for producing climate-related news and reports (e.g., field reporting, video production).
   • Distribution costs, such as website hosting, app maintenance, or newsletter platforms.

Application Process

Submission Requirements

 Applicants must submit the following documents in English or Arabic:

• Completed application form (template provided).
  • Organization’s registration certificate.Budget breakdown for the grant. (template provided).
  • A portfolio of recent work, focusing on climate issues if available.

Submission Method

• Applications must be submitted via email to [email protected] and [email protected]
  • The subject line should   include “Emergency Operational Grants Application – SharaKa.”

Evaluation Criteria

Criterion	Weight	Description
Operational Need	50%	Extent of operational challenges and demonstrated need for emergency support.
Climate Journalism Focus	10%	Organization’s commitment to and track record in climate-related reporting.
Feasibility and Impact	20%	Clear, realistic plan for using funds effectively and achieving outcomes.
Organizational Capacity	20%	Ability to implement the grant and sustain operations during the crisis.

Timeline

• RFA Launch: December 19, 2024
• Application Deadline: January 13, 2025
• Selection Notification: February 2025
• Grant Disbursement: March 2025

Contact Information

For inquiries about the RFA or the application process, please contact: Ezzeldeen Alnatour: [email protected] and Moussa Saleh: [email protected]

Disclaimers

• Internews reserves the right to fund any or none of the applications received.
• Internews may request additional information from shortlisted applicants during the review process.