Championing local media development projects

Every year, the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) supports an extensive range of projects advancing local media development, training, research and dialogue in developing countries, countries in transition, and countries in conflict and post-conflict situations worldwide.  

We encourage local media organizations to present projects seeking to expand opportunities for free, independent and pluralistic media.

Every year, a call for proposals is issued the end of December. The proposals are selected in line with UNESCO’s strategic programmatic approach in each country. Ideally, they are also based on the development needs identified by research using the IPDC endorsed Indicators and resources.

Projects must present a clear objective contributing to at least one of the IPDC’s main priorities.

There is no predefined profile in terms of size, budget but it needs to be a non-profit independent organization seeking to expand opportunities for free, independent and pluralistic media. IPDC's aim is in particular to strengthen local ownership of media development processes and projects. We prioritize media projects with the potential to serve as innovative pilots and pay particular attention to proposals from least developed, landlocked and small island countries, as well as those in conflict or post-conflict situations.

The call for projects in 2023 attracted more than 130 proposals from local grassroots organizations and IPDC Bureau approved nearly $1,9 million to support media development worldwide. Read more about it here.