Funding and Support for NGOs

As part of our work to help build a strong global legal defence network for independent media, MLDI makes grants to support organisations and projects that deliver legal support to journalists. Currently MLDI funds a small number of organisations based in Southeast Asia, Central Asia, Central Europe, Africa and Central and South America. Our aim is to expand this network and achieve better local-level access to legal assistance for independent media outlets, journalists and bloggers who lack the financial means to access legal support at commercial rates.

We are open to grant proposals from national organisations to pursue one or both of the following activities:

• Provide legal assistance for independent journalists or media outlets who face legal proceedings because of their work;
• Engage in strategic litigation to bring local law and practice in media cases in line with international standards on freedom of expression.

Priority will be given to proposals that respond to a demonstrated need on the ground, increase the geographical coverage of the Media Legal Defence Initiative and are likely to have a high impact on protecting media freedom.

Please note that the Media Legal Defence Initiative does not provide funding for employment-related litigation.

Grants awarded by MLDI are usually for a 12-month period and range in size between GBP5,000 and GBP25,000.

The selection process consists of two phases:

I. Submission of a concept paper summarizing the project for which funding is sought. 

Please note that concept papers may not exceed 1000 words (two A4 pages) and must contain the following information:

• name of the applicant organisation and its country of origin, plus the name of a contact person and his/her e-mail address and telephone number;
• your organisation’s budget for the current year, in sterling pounds;
• title of the proposed project;
• a short description of the project, outlining:
  • the aim of the project,
  • the target group (eg: number of direct beneficiaries / cases expected to support),
  • main objectives,
  • a summary of the proposed activities,
  • a summary of the expected results,
  • when do you plan to start the project and which is the period of implementation;
  • where (what country/region) will the implementation take place.
• the total amount of money requested from MLDI, in pounds sterling. Please also mention the total budget of the project and state if you have any other co-funders for this project;
• names and contact details of any implementing partners.

Please email concept papers to info@mediadefence.org.This is a rolling call; there is no deadline for submitting papers.

II. Only those applicants whose concept papers have been shortlisted will be invited to submit a full application form.

Please contact us at info@mediadefence.org if you have any questions.