The OPEN Media Hub launches a new Call for production support for

Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine

On July 9, 2018 the OPEN Media Hub launched a call for expression of interest, a production support scheme, to enable TV and online video journalists in the Eastern Neighbourhood countries to create contents (audio-visual stories, news, features, online portfolio…) on important regional issues and issues related to the European Union and their respective countries’ relations with the European Union. The OPEN Media Hub will provide successful candidates with the financial means and practical guidance to produce and disseminate such coverage at an appropriate quality level. This Call also seeks to increase the amount of analytic, in-depth quality programming available for the audience in these countries and available for distribution regionally and internationally via the project’s Content Exchange Platform.

Investigative Journalism Stories

We invite the broadcast and on-line media outlets to propose investigative stories on issues that are of importance in their country: corruption, freedom of expression, human right violations…

Besides receiving production support, we will propose for those who will be selected to further participate in a pitching session in front of a panel of European media in Berlin this autumn in order to envisage a possible co-production with them. This opportunity might permit further funding of their stories.

We invite proposals for:

–Broadcast: 12 minutes (preferred) or 26 up to 52 minutes;

–Online: long reads, webdoc, portfolios;

-Combinations of broadcast and online formats.

Eligibility:

All applicants must demonstrate that they are duly authorised by the legal entity backing them, and by producing a letter of intent from an authorised representative. This letter must state an eligible media outlet’s intention to broadcast or publish the eventual production, including an indication of the date(s) and context(s) of the planned broadcast or publication.

The OPEN Media Hub will provide a template for the letter of intent.

Eligible applicants are:

• News organisations (e.g., TV stations, online news companies);
• Journalistic organisations (e.g., associations, foundations) if they can demonstrate a publication commitment from a media outlet;
• Audio-visual production companies;
• Journalists acting on behalf of any of the above.

Exception: Media Hub may decide, on a case by case basis, that individual journalists or television producers are eligible without legal entity backing or endorsement. Similarly, will relevant applications from bloggers, vloggers and citizen-journalists be considered if they can demonstrate a track record of significant audience reach on their platforms.

Budget:

The amount of support will always take the topic, media outlet, and country into account and be proportionate to the typical prices and rates in your country.The disbursement will be up to a maximum of €8,000 per application, depending on length / formats, for example:

-Online long read maximum amount is €1,500.

-12’ minutes TV report + 3 social media + 1 Online long read: €5,000.

-26’minutes TV report: €4,500.

-52’minutes TV report : €8,000.

Multiple applications from a single applicant can be accepted, including from applicants for other on-going OPEN Media Hub Calls.

Application:

All the required documents must be submitted together with the filled-in online form. If selected, for contracting, applicants agree to submit letter of intent, intended budget, waivers and risk assessments.

 

Deadline for submission:

19 August 2018, 21:00 CET

 

Award decision:

17 September 2018.

The award decisions shall be made as soon as possible, but no later than 17 September 2018. Production Support Agreements shall be issued and signed by 20 September 2018.