A new scheme has been launched to provide grants to Libyan media to help them strengthen their management capacity and improve their output.
The Libyan Content Development Fund (LCDF) is being run by the Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) as part of a partnership with the German media development organisation Deutsche Welle Akademie, funded by the European Union.
Speaking at a March 29 launch event for the LCDF project, the European Union’s envoy to Libya, Natalia Apostolova, described the project as “a milestone on the way towards building and developing a media that goes in line with [existing] efforts toward democracy in Libya”.
Addressing the event in Tripoli, Deutsche Welle Akademie director Christian Gramsch, said, “We and our partners have assessed the needs and put together a long-term strategy for serious ongoing work to reinforce the media sector in Libya.”
In a competitive awards process, the LCDF will provide funding to media for a variety of projects, including content production, staff training and editorial management reform.
- Grants of between 5,250 and 37,500 euro will be awarded to media outlets.
- Applications to the fund will be approved by a selection committee consisting of Libyan and international media experts.
- Libyan media outlets will conceptualise and produce high-quality content focusing on issues relating to political transition, democracy, good governance, gender and minority rights, and inclusion in the political process.
- LCDF will provide editorial and administrative oversight for successful projects.
