U.S. Embassy Belgrade – Countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI)

Description

1) Objective

This program aims to counter FIMI in Serbia by providing Serbian news and information consumers with objective, fact-based reporting on issues that are frequently the subject of FIMI campaigns, including but not limited to:
· U.S.-Serbia relations, including economic and security cooperation
· Serbia’s relationship with, and potential future membership in, European and Euro-Atlantic institutions, including the EU and NATO
· Serbia’s economic integration with other countries of the Western Balkans region and with the European Union
· Serbia-Russia relations, historically and in the present
· Serbia-PRC relations
· Serbia’s relations with its neighbors

Grant activities may take any number of forms, including the production of print, broadcast or digital media content; app or website development; or other creative undertakings. It may also include reporting tours, cross-border exchanges, courses, seminars, speakers’ series, workshops, or other training and educational activities aimed at journalists, analysts, and/or media commentators.  Note that all programs should have some eventual nexus with the Serbian media space and ultimately aim to inform Serbian news and information consumers. Any content produced should be in the Serbian language and intended for Serbian audiences.

2) Eligibility

The following entities, from Serbia or from the United States, are eligible to apply: Media outlets and production houses, including for-profit media companies, Not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations, Journalists’ professional associations, Departments of journalism at Serbian public universities. To be eligible for consideration, every Serbia-based applicant organization must be registered in the territory of the Republic of Serbia with the Agencija za privredne registre (APR), or a relevant court. Individuals may not apply for this program.

3) Location

Actions must take place in Serbia.

4) Budget

Grants may range from $20,000-$75,000.

5) Application

Applications are due no later than 18 August 2024.