Call for Applications: Building resilience to disinformation and false narratives in Armenia

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• Call For Applications: Armenian | English (Word file)  
• Budget Notes Example (English | Word file)  
• Budget Template (English | Excel file)
• Project Proposal Template (English | Word file)

Call for Applications: Building resilience to disinformation and false narratives in Armenia

Small Grants for Outreach and Awareness Raising Initiatives by Civil Society and Media Organizations in Armenia

Issuance Date: November 16, 2022

Application Deadline and Instructions:  Applications must be received by Freedom House by 23:59 EST on December 2, 2022.  All grant applications must be submitted electronically to [email protected] with “Building Resilience to Disinformation in Armenia” in the subject line.

Funding Opportunity

Freedom House invites applications for funding from locally registered non-governmental organizations and coalitions based in the Republic of Armenia that seek to raise awareness of disinformation and its impact on democratic development and human rights. Disinformation is a powerful tool to blur the truth and polarize society. This challenge can only be tackled by the joint effort of civil society. Through a variety of in-person activities, proposed projects will aim to promote constructive dialogue on divisive issues and foster resilience among key governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, including the national and/or local authorities, marginalized communities, civil society, journalists, and others.  

The “Building Resilience to Disinformation in Armenia” small grants program will serve the following objectives:

1. To financially support long-term public outreach campaigns, dialogue efforts, trainings, public events and discussions, and other activities that seek to raise awareness and increase joint social resilience to disinformation among civil society, authorities, marginalized communities, media, and general public in the Republic of Armenia
2. To provide critical technical support and tools for civil society actors to efficiently advocate in support of democratic values and human rights
3. To support independent media’s efforts, such as reporting, analysis, and rights-based advocacy campaigns.

Freedom House will support up to two Armenian-registered non-governmental organizations with up to $15,000 in funding for each grant, for a project length of 6-12 months. The proposals will be evaluated by a selection committee comprised of Freedom House representatives and local partner organizations. Following their selection, Freedom House’s local Armenia team will work in close cooperation with selected grantees as they implement their initiatives.

Priority will be given to organizations and initiatives that see themselves as organizations focused on freedom of expression or media freedom, as well as advocates for transparency, accountability, democracy, and human rights. In addition, Armenian regional- and local-level initiatives, and campaigns outside of Yerevan will be given special consideration. Applications should demonstrate an understanding of the main organizational and/or campaign needs and a desire to address them with the support of Freedom House.

Successful project will meet the following criteria:

• Raise awareness about disinformation, its origins, various forms and effects;

• Promote direct citizen dialogue;

• Ensure participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds and age groups;

• Engage Armenia’s regional centers and communities;

• Promote partnerships between civil society organizations, central and municipal officials, independent media and other stakeholders;

• Strengthen public trust in high quality information produced by independent Armenian media in response to the challenges of disinformation and fake news;

• Promote fact- and human rights-based journalism and constructive opinion exchange;

Applicants have broad latitude to design projects under this call, but applications will also be evaluated on the following criteria:

• Clear vision – does the applicant clearly articulate an outreach, education and trust building goal, target groups, and the tools for their initiative?

• Innovation – does the applicant propose innovative approaches, including through the use of technology, to distribute its content, engage the public, raise awareness, or build trust, to increase resilience to disinformation in the Republic of Armenia?

• Partnerships and engagement – does the applicant plan to develop strategic partnerships across sectors and stakeholder groups, such as with  the media, civil society organizations, the human rights community, as well as central and local authorities?

• Public outreach – does the applicant have a regional or local focus, as well as a clear idea of its current and/or desired audience and how to engage and serve the needs of target audiences?

• Inclusiveness, non-discrimination and human rights – does the applicant take into account the ways political, social and cultural affiliations and identities are portrayed in the media and articulate strategies for supporting non-discrimination and inclusiveness? Does the project reach marginalized communities or populations? Does their project demonstrate a commitment to and emphasis on democracy and human rights?

• Organizational development readiness – does the application clearly demonstrate the capacity to implement the proposed initiative?

Eligibility

Only non-commercial organizations, associations, initiatives, and foundations registered and active in the Republic of Armenia are eligible for participation in this program. Individuals and government, quasi-government, or commercial agencies and bodies are not eligible for funding.

Award Information

The selection decisions will be made by mid-December 2022. Freedom House intends to fund projects as soon as decisions are made, and documentation is prepared. Freedom House and the successful organization(s) will enter into a partnership agreement and following execution of this agreement, the organization will receive the funds.

Application Submission Criteria

• Applications will be accepted until the closing date noted above;

• Applications must be submitted electronically in Armenian or English using the Project proposal template provided;

• Budget AND budget notes must be submitted using the provided templates by the closing date;

• Incomplete applications will not be considered. Each application requires a complete application proposal form, budget and budget notes.

Program Information

This initiative is part of Freedom House’s ongoing project, “Advancing Democratic Culture in Armenia.” This project creates spaces for dialogue among civil society, the government, policymakers, journalists, and the public to identify constructive ways to address disinformation and protect democracy and human rights in the Republic of Armenia.  

Founded in 1941 by Eleanor Roosevelt and others, Freedom House is the oldest non-profit, nongovernmental organization in the United States dedicated to promoting and defending democracy and freedom worldwide. Freedom House supports the global expansion of freedom through its advocacy activities, monitoring, and in-depth research on the state of freedom, and direct support of democratic reformers throughout the world.