Opportunity Information: Apply for PDS COL 2023 MED
The U.S. Department of State, through the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Embassy in Sri Lanka, is offering a discretionary grant competition called "Media Capacity Building" (Funding Opportunity Number: PDS COL 2023 MED). The opportunity is designed to strengthen Sri Lanka's media sector by supporting the creation of the "SL Young Journalists Forum," a structured platform where early-career journalists can build practical skills, connect with peers and mentors, and stay informed about how journalism is changing now and in the future. The award is planned as a cooperative agreement, which generally means the Embassy expects to stay actively engaged during implementation rather than simply providing funds and stepping back.
The core idea is to develop local capacity by bringing together both established and emerging journalists into a supportive network that improves media literacy and reporting skills. The program is expected to help participants become more capable, responsible, and resilient media professionals, while also strengthening professional ties across regions and communities. A major emphasis is on creating a nationwide network of young media leaders who can collaborate across Sri Lanka and contribute to a healthier information environment.
The target audience is "Emerging Voices" from across the island, with a strong focus on journalists aged 18 to 30. The program is expected to reach a diverse mix of participants, including both men and women, and it should intentionally include representation from Sri Lanka's minority populations. In practice, this points to an expectation that recruitment and programming will not be limited to a single city or media circle, but will reflect geographic, ethnic, linguistic, and social diversity to broaden the impact of the forum and the network it builds.
The stated objectives go beyond technical training alone. In addition to building journalism and media literacy skills, the forum is intended to support free and fair media and to strengthen the ability of young journalists to counter misinformation and disinformation. It also aims to encourage journalism that supports citizen-responsive governance, suggesting an interest in reporting that helps the public understand institutions, public services, and accountability in a constructive way. Another explicit goal is fostering greater cultural understanding, which implies that the program should help journalists engage more thoughtfully with Sri Lanka's plural society and produce work that reduces divisions rather than reinforcing them.
From a funding and administrative standpoint, the opportunity is run by the Department of State, U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka, under CFDA number 19.040. The grant has an award ceiling of $75,000, and the Embassy anticipates making one award. Eligibility is listed broadly as "Others," indicating that the applicant pool may include a range of organization types depending on the additional eligibility details in the full notice. The opportunity was posted on July 21, 2023, and the original application deadline was August 20, 2023 at 11:59 p.m. Colombo time.
Overall, this grant competition is focused on launching or strengthening a national-level young journalists forum in Sri Lanka that combines skills development with relationship-building and professional networking, while advancing wider public-interest goals such as media freedom, information integrity, responsive governance, and cross-cultural understanding.Apply for PDS COL 2023 MED
- The Department of State, U.S. Mission to Sri Lanka in the other (see text field entitled explanation of other category of funding activity for clarification) sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Media Capacity Building" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
- This funding opportunity was created on Jul 21, 2023.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Aug 20, 2023 1159 p.m. Colombo Time, 20 August 2023. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $75,000.00 in funding.
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification).
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