Description of the Grant Program “Media in a Changing World”

The Foundation for Democracy and Liberal Values, a US-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (hereinafter – the FDLV), has launched a Grant Program to support: 1) independent media outlets led by Russian exiles; 2) New media technologies/innovations; 3) Creative and impactful standalone projects aimed at audiences inside and outside Russia.

The main goals of the Program are to preserve the existing Russian-language media ecosystem, introduce cutting-edge technologies for content distribution, media management, and/or commercially viable solutions, and support impactful standalone projects and media projects that can generate program-related revenue for charitable non-profits.

Important Definitions

An independent media outlet is an editorially independent organization that has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to fact-based, unbiased journalism and provides information in a trustworthy manner. It should be transparent about processes, finances, and policies.

The media ecosystempresents a food chain of media organizations of different sizes and focuses (both general interest and niche) that ensures the publication of exclusive media content and its distribution to wider audiences.

Standalone projects include thematic platform-agnostic blogs, documentary/ photo projects, and books aimed to educate broad audiences on various topics or talk in an appealing and entertaining manner about political, social, and cultural issues. Applicants MUST demonstrate a successful track record of implementing similar projects or have recognition in the industry for their journalistic, filmmaking, photography, or literary work.

New media technologies or innovations are IT-based solutions that help maintain and expand audiences in countries that prevent the free flow of information by securing existing distribution channels or/and creating new approaches to content distribution or innovations that have market viability, i.e., the potential to generate additional revenues for media organizations. Applicants MUST demonstrate adequate experience and/or capacity to design IT-based technologies or innovation.