Capacity Building Program for Leadership of Media associations | EMB YAOUNDE PDS LMA FY24 07

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the "Capacity Building Program for Leadership of Media Associations" grant opportunity?

This is a U.S. Embassy Yaounde (Public Diplomacy Section) grant opportunity to fund a U.S.-based nonprofit to design and run a 10-day, in-person leadership and capacity-building program in the United States for a small delegation of Cameroonian media sector leaders.

2) What is the main purpose of this grant?

The purpose is to strengthen journalist trade unions and media associations in Cameroon by exposing four to five executive-level participants to how U.S. journalist associations and trade unions are structured, financed, managed, and how they advocate for press freedom, freedom of expression, and journalist protection.

3) Why is the Embassy offering this program now?

The opportunity is framed as a response to persistent press freedom challenges in Cameroon, highlighted by the January 2023 assassination of journalist Martinez Zogo. The Embassy also cites challenges such as a tightening media economy, harassment and threats, skills gaps in the sector, and limited resources and unity within professional associations and unions.

4) Who is the funder?

The funder is the U.S. Embassy Yaounde, Public Diplomacy Section.

5) What type of award is this?

This is a discretionary award funded through a cooperative agreement. A cooperative agreement generally indicates the U.S. government expects active coordination during implementation rather than a fully hands-off grant.

6) What is the funding opportunity number and CFDA?

The funding opportunity number is EMB YAOUNDE PDS LMA FY24 07 and the CFDA is 19.040.

7) How many awards will be made?

The program anticipates making one award.

8) What is the maximum award amount?

The maximum (ceiling) amount is $50,000.

9) When was the opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on August 7, 2024.

10) What is the application deadline?

Applications must be submitted by September 8, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Yaounde time.

11) How do applicants submit an application?

Applications must be submitted via email to pasgrantsyaounde@state.gov.

12) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based, registered not-for-profit entities with relevant programming capacity.

13) What types of organizations are specifically encouraged to apply?

Examples specifically encouraged include nonprofits and civil society organizations (including think tanks and community associations), alumni of U.S. government exchange programs, non-profit media organizations, professional trade organizations, and educational institutions (nonprofit/governmental and private).

14) Are for-profit or commercial entities eligible?

No. For-profit or commercial entities are explicitly not eligible to apply.

15) Who are the intended participants in the program?

The intended audience for the program itself is four to five Cameroonian leaders from journalist trade unions and media associations, particularly current or rising leaders positioned to implement reforms, expand membership engagement, and strengthen collective action after returning to Cameroon.

16) Where will the program take place?

The program is expected to take place in the United States and be built around structured meetings and site visits in Washington, D.C. and New York.

17) How long is the program?

The program is designed as a 10-day, in-person, immersive program.

18) What is the program expected to look like (format and approach)?

The Embassy expects an immersive and practical program built around structured meetings, peer-to-peer exchanges, expert briefings, and site visits, with direct engagement with experts across government, civil society, academia, and the media.

19) What are the core content areas applicants should address in the program design?

Core content areas include understanding how U.S. media associations and journalist unions operate and govern themselves (including mission definition, member services, priority setting, and accountability), plus practical skills related to advocacy and sustainability such as lobbying approaches, fundraising strategies, and newer resource-mobilization tools like crowdfunding.

20) What does the Embassy mean by "operations and governance" of associations and unions?

Based on the opportunity description, this includes how associations and unions define their missions, serve members, set priorities, and maintain accountability, as well as how they are structured, financed, and managed.

21) What advocacy skills is the program expected to strengthen?

The program is expected to build practical advocacy skills, including lobbying approaches and credible advocacy for press freedom, freedom of expression, and journalist protection.

22) What sustainability and resource-generation skills are emphasized?

The program highlights fundraising strategies and newer resource-mobilization tools such as crowdfunding, with the broader goal of helping participants generate resources and strengthen organizational sustainability.

23) Is networking and relationship-building part of the expected program?

Yes. A major emphasis is relationship-building, including networking between Cameroonian leaders and U.S. counterparts (associations, unions, and NGOs working on press freedom) to seed longer-term collaboration, partnerships, and ongoing professional support.

24) Are specific U.S. organizations required partners or confirmed site visits?

The Embassy flags possible engagements with organizations such as Freedom House, ICJ, and FPC, and a meeting at the U.S. Department of State. These are presented as possibilities rather than confirmed or required engagements, and the implementing organization is expected to propose a coherent itinerary.

25) What kinds of engagements and institutions should the itinerary include?

The itinerary is expected to balance expert briefings, peer-to-peer exchanges, and field visits that demonstrate how press freedom and journalist protection efforts are carried out in practice, including engagement with experts across government, civil society, academia, and the media.

26) What is the key problem this program is trying to address in Cameroon?

The program targets challenges including harassment and threats against journalists, a tightening media economy, skills gaps, and the limited resources, organization, and unity of professional associations and unions to effectively defend the profession.

27) What is the implementing organization expected to deliver?

The selected U.S.-based nonprofit is expected to design and run the 10-day in-person program, including creating a coherent itinerary that provides substantive learning, real-world exposure, and structured opportunities for networking with U.S. counterparts.

28) What are the expected results or outcomes?

Expected results are concrete and capacity-focused. Participants should return with a clearer understanding of effective association/union models, stronger tools for advocacy and resource generation, and durable professional ties with U.S. organizations that support continued learning and joint initiatives.

29) Does the program need to go beyond information-sharing?

Yes. The Embassy is looking for a program that helps participants translate lessons from U.S. counterparts into actionable steps that improve the organization, visibility, sustainability, and protective role of media associations and journalist unions in Cameroon.

30) What does "small delegation" mean in this opportunity?

In this opportunity, "small delegation" refers to four to five executive-level participants from Cameroonian journalist trade unions and media associations.

31) Who is the program intended to benefit directly?

The direct beneficiaries are the four to five Cameroonian association and union leaders who participate in the U.S.-based program, with the intention that they will strengthen their organizations and advocacy efforts upon returning to Cameroon.