Building Media Literacy and Combatting Disinformation | OPAPDFY24002

Opportunity Information: Apply for OPAPDFY24002

Building Media Literacy and Combatting Disinformation is a discretionary grant competition announced by the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs, Public Diplomacy Section (OPA-PD), under the U.S. Mission to Jerusalem. The program funds a single implementing organization to design and deliver media literacy training for Palestinian youth, with the broader public diplomacy aim of strengthening U.S.-Palestinian engagement and contributing to a more vibrant, representative, and responsive Palestinian civil society. The initiative is framed around helping young people function as critical consumers and responsible producers of information in a fragmented, fast-moving media environment where misinformation and disinformation can spread quickly.

The core focus is practical media literacy skill-building. Funded activities are expected to address three main content areas: how media is produced and what makes sources credible; how media messages are constructed and what effects they are intended to have on audiences; and how representation works in media, including the ways identity, power, and visibility can shape narratives in both mass and social media. By the end of the training, participants should be better able to assess the credibility and intentions of content creators, recognize themes and rhetorical techniques used to influence attitudes and emotions, think critically about representation and bias, and act responsibly when creating or sharing information. In other words, the program is not only about spotting falsehoods, but also about understanding how media works and how to communicate in fact-based, ethical ways.

Geographically, the priority region is East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Workshops are intended to take place at American Spaces in Jerusalem, Ramallah, and Hebron, as well as at additional partner locations in the West Bank that are approved by OPA. The target audience is Palestinian youth ages 16 to 24, broadly defined to include high school students, journalism and communications students, early-career and up-and-coming journalists, social media practitioners, online content producers, influencers, and media specialists. The expectation is that the implementer will do the outreach and recruitment needed to form multiple cohorts and ensure the program reaches the intended groups.

The implementer has substantial responsibility for program design and delivery. Key duties include adapting existing U.S.-based media literacy curricula for the local audience, recruiting guest speakers and trainers, coordinating logistics with OPA and American Spaces venues, running the workshops for multiple cohorts, and developing a final project that participants complete as a culminating activity. OPA strongly encourages applicants to draw on established U.S. media literacy resources such as the Media Education Lab, PBS LearningMedia, the Newseum education materials, Facing History, and/or curricula associated with the U.S. Department of State Office of American Spaces. While there is flexibility in the format and session structure, the program emphasizes interactive methods, the use of technology, and state-of-the-art educational approaches rather than lecture-only delivery. OPA also encourages implementers to involve alumni of prior media literacy programs where possible, alongside established and emerging journalists.

A major feature of the opportunity is measurement, evaluation, and learning. The program is expected to generate actionable insights about who participates (including demographic and attitudinal profiles) and to produce credible evidence about effectiveness. Applicants are expected to build clear measurement and evaluation procedures into the project design so OPA-PD can assess outcomes, not just activities completed. Proposals with a clear theory of change, a demonstrated track record of successfully engaging the target audiences, and a sustainable design that extends impact beyond the grant period receive special consideration.

In terms of funding details, the opportunity number is OPAPDFY24002, with an award ceiling of $200,000 and an expectation of one award. The original closing date listed is July 7, 2024. Eligible applicants include U.S. and non-U.S. not-for-profit organizations, including NGOs, think tanks, not-for-profit media organizations, and not-for-profit public or private educational institutions (including private institutions of higher education). The overall goal is to support a practical, youth-centered training program that helps participants navigate information critically, resist manipulation, and contribute to healthier local media and online ecosystems through responsible content creation and sharing.

• The U.S. Mission to Jerusalem in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Building Media Literacy and Combatting Disinformation" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.021.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-06-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-07. (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 $200,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for OPAPDFY24002

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