Terms of Reference
Grants for countering mis- and disinformation through production of quality content within the project “INSPIRES Albania”
21 December 2022
Open to: Locally registered media outlets from Albania
Grant amount: $15,000
Duration: Up to 6 months. (Please note that the beginning of the project is scheduled for February 2023)
Deadline for Applications: 11 January 2023, at 17:00
Internews is implementing the project “INSPIRES Albania” which supports the countering of misinformation and disinformation in Albania. By supporting selected independent media in Albania through grants, the project aims to increase the output and reach of quality content that counters and addresses mis- and disinformation, while also enhancing beneficiaries’ skills to fact-check and accurately report information in accessible formats. Grants will support the production of short video formats, other social media formats and multimedia stories, and focus on targeting younger audiences and social media users.
1. What are we looking for?
We are looking to partner with independent media outlets in Albania who want to champion countering misinformation and disinformation in the country by conducting thorough fact-checking, accurate reporting, and producing appealing and engaging multimedia content. The selected partners are expected to host 2-3 journalism students, for a period of four months, who will complete the internship and support in research and production of content targeting younger audiences.
Internews will not interfere in the editorial policy of the media outlets, nor in the selection of the topics that will be researched. The grantees are expected to identify, research, and report on the trending stories which contain mis and disinformation in order to accurately inform the public.
2. Who can apply?
This is an open call and all independent media partners in Albania are eligible to apply, as long as the media have a track record in adhering to the standards of professional journalism, and are interested in countering disinformation and misinformation, have multimedia production capacities, and can host journalism students for internships.
3. Type of grants
Internews will select up to 4 (four) partners where each will receive a total of USD 15,000. The funds are to be used for production of multimedia stories and the potential upgrade of existing production equipment. The funds will be disbursed in installments based on the pre-set milestones.
4. Production requirements
a. The grants will be awarded for the production period of six months from the day of the signature of the contract;
b. Each grantee is expected to produce at least 10 multimedia stories each month focusing on countering mis- and disinformation through thorough research, fact-checking and accurate reporting;
c. By “multimedia story” it is understood at least text and video story will be published in web portals and social media platforms of the media partner. Further formats could include photos and infographics;
d. All videos should be adapted for social media platforms by including titles and subtitles and by being formatted in 5:4, 1:1, or 9:16 aspect ratios;
e. Partners will be provided with mentorship, support and guidance throughout the production period.
f. Production will begin in the first week of February and end in the last week of July 2023.
5. What other support can applicants expect?
The Internews Change Manager will provide grantees production and editorial support. Selected teams will receive additional help (ex. training on video, closer support from national editor on editing) as needed based on the proposed product and the outlet’s needs. The support will be offered remotely/online or on-site.
6. How will the application be submitted?
Applications shall be emailed in English language to designated email address:
EE-Balkans-CLIMB-PRJ@internews.org@INTERNEWS.ORG with the subject line: “INSPIRES Grant Application”. The deadline for submission is 11 January 2023.
7. How does the selection work?
Applications will be evaluated by local and regional experts based on:
- The quality of the technical offer (reputation, capacity, originality of the pitch, approach to countering mis and disinformation, proposed multimedia formats, etc.), including completion of all mandatory elements of the application (90%);
- The quality of the financial offer (10%).
