Strengthening Press Freedom in Zimbabwe (First Amendment Partnership Programs - FAPP-Zim) | AF HAR FY22 03

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Strengthening Press Freedom in Zimbabwe (FAPP-Zim)

1) What is the Strengthening Press Freedom in Zimbabwe (FAPP-Zim) grant?

FAPP-Zim (First Amendment Partnership Programs - FAPP-Zim) is a U.S. Department of State funding opportunity administered through the Public Diplomacy (PD) Section at the U.S. Embassy in Harare. It is described as a small, practical grant program supporting low to medium cost initiatives that improve respect for, and real-world adherence to, international best practices on freedom of speech and press freedom in Zimbabwe.

2) Who is administering this opportunity?

The opportunity is run through the Public Diplomacy (PD) Section at the U.S. Embassy in Harare, under the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Zimbabwe.

3) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program supports Zimbabwe-based initiatives that strengthen freedom of speech and press freedom while also building active working networks between Zimbabwean media actors and U.S.-based experts, organizations, universities, or institutions. A core expectation is that projects include a clear American component and strengthen U.S.-Zimbabwe connections related to free expression and an independent press.

4) What does the program mean by a "clear American component"?

Proposals must intentionally build ties and active working networks between Zimbabwean media actors and U.S.-based partners (experts, organizations, universities, or institutions). The American component must go beyond routine engagement with the U.S. Mission, American Corners, or alumni of U.S. government exchange programs.

5) What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants are described broadly as Zimbabwe-based NGOs and institutions. The notice also references eligibility as "Others" with additional clarification expected in the full eligibility text.

6) Do projects have to involve Zimbabwean media organizations or journalists?

Yes. Regardless of applicant type, proposals must engage Zimbabwean media institutions or media workers as well as relevant audiences.

7) What are the three program objective tracks?

Proposals must align with one of three objective areas: (1) strengthening public understanding of freedom of speech and press freedom, (2) media literacy to combat disinformation and misinformation, or (3) media sustainability, innovation, and professionalization.

8) What is Track 1 focused on?

Track 1 focuses on strengthening public understanding of freedom of speech and press freedom. It supports initiatives that spark community-level discussion and learning about the role of journalism and principles behind open expression.

9) What kinds of activities are allowed under Track 1?

Examples include events, panel discussions, campaigns, outreach efforts, educational activities, workshops, partnerships with media outlets, and similar formats, as long as they can reach a sizable and diverse audience and keep people engaged over time.

10) What is Track 2 focused on?

Track 2 targets media literacy to combat disinformation and misinformation, aiming to make the public more resilient to manipulation and false narratives by improving understanding of disinformation tactics and practical ways communities can respond.

11) What kinds of activities are encouraged under Track 2?

The Embassy notes that activities may include investigative reporting, public debates or moderated discussions, and digital engagements. Creative approaches using social media, digital technology, and innovative delivery methods are explicitly encouraged.

12) Do Track 2 proposals need to define target audiences?

Yes. Applicants are expected to define the audiences they want to influence and explain clearly how messages will reach them. The notice gives examples such as women, youth, policymakers, and opinion leaders.

13) Are partnerships with U.S. colleges or universities relevant?

Yes. Proposals that partner with American universities or colleges to incorporate media literacy and media consumption topics into curricula or campus-level programming are viewed especially favorably.

14) What is Track 3 focused on?

Track 3 addresses media sustainability, innovation, and professionalization. It recognizes that press freedom is difficult to sustain without economically viable and professionally supported independent media.

15) What kinds of activities are allowed under Track 3?

Supported activities include helping emerging news outlets (online or offline) develop business plans, diversify revenue, and adopt strategies to survive difficult economic conditions. It also supports professional collaboration and exposure within journalism, including new approaches to gathering information, storytelling, and building audience engagement in thematic areas such as health, human rights, agriculture and STEM, and peace and conflict resolution.

16) What broader goals does the program emphasize across all tracks?

Across the three categories, the program emphasizes raising awareness of international norms around free speech and a free press; improving resilience to disinformation by expanding channels for verified information; building institutional networks to make independent media more competitive and financially sustainable through ethical and innovative income approaches and professional partnerships; supporting independent outlets committed to factual, objective, thorough reporting on priority issues (including health, entrepreneurship, human rights and labor, peace and conflict resolution, green energy, cybersecurity, and anticorruption); and encouraging innovative uses of technology and alternative distribution platforms to reach audiences.

17) What outcomes is the program expecting?

Expected outcomes include stronger investigative and reporting capacity, improved reach to larger or new audiences, better-informed journalists in selected beats, and expanded access to local and international sources of information.

18) How much funding is available per award?

Funding is offered as a grant with an award ceiling of USD 25,000.

19) How many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates an expectation of about four awards.

20) What is the Funding Opportunity Number and CFDA number?

The Funding Opportunity Number is AF HAR FY22 03, and the CFDA number is 19.040.

21) When did the application period open and close?

The application window opened on February 4, 2022, and the submission deadline was April 3, 2022.

22) Were there any restrictions or guidance related to international travel and COVID-19?

Yes. Proposals that included international travel were instructed not to schedule in-person travel before September 2022 at the earliest. All projects were expected to build in flexibility to adjust plans due to evolving COVID-19 restrictions.

23) How do applicants obtain the application package?

Applicants were instructed to request the application package by emailing PublicDiplomacyGrants-ZIM@state.gov, which would trigger an automatic reply containing the required forms.

24) How are applications submitted?

Submissions were accepted by email to PublicDiplomacyGrants-Zim@state.gov. A physical delivery option to the U.S. Embassy Harare Public Diplomacy Grants office was available for applicants unable to email.

25) What language and currency format are required for application materials?

Application materials must be submitted in English, with budgets in U.S. dollars.

26) What registration or compliance requirements are mentioned?

Organizations must have an active SAM.gov registration.

27) What federal forms are required?

Mandatory federal forms include SF-424 and SF-424A, and in certain cases SF-424B.

28) What should be included in the full proposal package?

The full proposal package is described as including: organizational capacity (maximum one page), past grants, a clear needs statement, measurable goals and objectives, detailed activities, a monitoring and evaluation plan, key personnel, a calendar/timeline, and a reporting plan that includes at least a final narrative report and a financial report (with additional reports possible depending on project length).

29) What budget details are required?

Applicants must provide a detailed budget and a budget narrative that includes unit costs and quantities.

30) How will applications be evaluated?

Applications are reviewed based on purpose and impact (including clarity on audiences and alignment with program goals), completeness and realism of objectives, quality of planning (work plan, timeline, monitoring approach), and the strength of monitoring and evaluation.

31) What kinds of proposals appear most competitive based on the review criteria?

The program is looking for proposals that are well-scoped for small-grant funding, clearly measurable, strongly connected to U.S. partners and perspectives, and capable of delivering tangible improvements in press freedom awareness, disinformation resilience, and/or independent media viability in Zimbabwe.

32) Does the program prioritize any specific content areas or beats?

Yes. The notice lists priority issues that include health, entrepreneurship, human rights and labor, peace and conflict resolution, green energy, cybersecurity, and anticorruption, and it also references thematic areas such as health, human rights, agriculture and STEM, and peace and conflict resolution in the context of journalism collaboration and audience engagement.