Validation Booster MIE 2.0 - Application Form

General instructions for completing the application form

The applicant must ensure the following:

The application form is filled and completed/submitted online via provided link;
The application form must be completed in English language;
All parts of the application must be completed;
All requested additional documents should be attached within the provided link for the application form.

(1) If the applicant is a registered media outlet:

Registration certificate confirming the media outlet is registered before January 2024 in the country of application;
Certificate from relevant tax authority that the legal entity has paid all due taxes, in accordance with local legislation and issued not more than 30 days before the date of application;
Applicants should already have made journalistic content available to the general public before 1 January 2024 (please provide the evidence in the form of a web page address, links to social media and similar).

(2) If the applicant is an individual (the applicant must be the same person as the grant recipient bank account holder):

Copy of the ID – both sides (if applicable);
Short biography (1 page max.) that includes their current position/education, clear references to previous working experiences;
Evidence that they are engaged in the media sector as a journalist or in other related capacity and has already contributed to production of media related content (please provide evidence by submitting an employment or service contract and links or any other reference where the content can be accessed).

In case the individual is a student:

Copy of the ID – both sides (if applicable);
Short biography that includes their current position/education, clear references to previous working experiences and/or professor references (if any);
Certificate confirming enrolment in the final year of university studies;

(3) If the applicant is an initiative:

Brief description of the initiative (purpose and objectives);
List of names, copies of IDs, and short biographies of the members of the initiative with indications of each role within the initiative;
Verifiable information on initiative’s operations in the media sector that may include official documents and/or other information taken from communication channels (such as web page, official social media accounts of the initiative or official individual accounts of acting key representatives, etc.) or at least two written references by two external referees who may be contacted to provide additional information attesting to the purpose and objectives of the applicant

The Application Form must be submitted, within the given deadline.

The Application Form including the budget and requested supporting documentation must be submitted exclusively via this LINK.

Title of Project *business idea you want to validate*

Applicant’s Name*

(if it is an organization / media outlet – full legal name; if it is an individual – name and surname)

Are you currently affiliated with a media outlet as a journalist? If yes, which?*

(if applying as individual)

Major platform for communication with citizens / readers*

(please provide web page or social network links or other platforms you use)

Full Address*

Municipality/Country*

Contact Person*

Name and Surname

Contact person email address*

Contact Person telephone number *

Contact Person Gender*

Requested Amount in EUR*

Grants for individuals and initiatives – ceiling up to 3,000 EUR Grants for media outlets / organisations – ceiling up to 5,000 EUR

Grant period *

Enter the proposed start and end date for your project. The duration of projects is limited to six (6) months. I Cycle: November 2024 - April 2025 or II Cycle: June 2025 - November 2025

Annual turnover in last fiscal year 2023*

(applicable for organization / media outlets only)

Note: Although it is possible to collaborate on an application, the lead applicant must be the person/organisation that submits the final application!

I Validation idea description (max 300 words per each question)

Provide a summary of your idea, describing:

a. WHAT business idea would you like to test and validate? (please be precise, propose only one initiative/product/service/idea) - max 300 words*

0/300

b. WHY is it important to validate this initiative/product/service/idea? (provide a broader overview and name at least three key benefits for the local community, media sector or society in general) - max 300 words*

0/300

c. LIST the main challenges you expect to face during the validation and implementation of your idea. (max 300 words)*

0/300

d. EXPLAIN what makes your idea innovative and how it differs from existing solutions. (max 300 words)*

0/300

e. EXPLAIN whether proposed project/idea include the validation of digital content, services, or products, and test innovative modalities for its digital platform and media? (max 300 words)*

0/300

II Rationale (motivation and commitment) max 300 words per each question

a. WHY do you need support? (max 300 words)*

0/300

b. WHAT do you expect to achieve throughout this Programme in the terms of knowledge, professional development and in terms of your media development? (max 300 words)*

(List 3 key types of knowledge, skills, etc.)0/300

c. WHY do you think your organization/you are a good candidate for this Programme? (max 300 words)*

0/300

d. WHAT are the first next steps, if your idea is validated? (max 300 words)*

(please be as precise as you can) 0/300

III Project target groups (Who will benefit from the project or from the validated idea if implemented in future?) (max 300 words)*

*Target groups are people that will benefit directly from your idea, if validated in the future. Please summarise in one paragraph total number of people your idea will target if validated i.e. % of women, age groups e.g. I group (youth 18 -30) II group (30-65) III group (65 +) and other specificities (e.g. if they are coming from underrepresented groups).0/300

IV Does the proposed project/idea have the potential to build sustainability? Describe how your project can contribute to long-term sustainability. (max 300 words)*

Consider aspects such as engaging content; attraction and diversification of audiences; commitment to long-term financial and operational models; integration of new/innovative strategies and tools.0/300

V Budget (max 300 words)*

Provide a brief description of the each budgeted costs included in each category listed below. Include description how these costs will help necessary audience and market research costs and all other validation process-related costs?0/300

Budget Plan*

	Total cost in EUR
HR costs (staff costs)
Programmatic costs (translation, meetings, travel & accommodation, sub-contracted external expertise, all validation process-related costs including piloting/testing activities such as events, episodes, platforms, software etc.)
Renting equipment and space *only renting equipment and space allowed
Other costs (office cost, utility cost, etc.)
GRAND TOTAL

VI DECLARATION AND CHECKLIST

The project is managed by a consortium led by the Vienna-based International Press Institute (IPI) together with the Berlin-based Thomson Media (TM), The Fix Foundation (TFF) and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network (BIRN). Thomson Media (TM) will use the information you are providing for the purpose of assessing your Application Form and securing your participation in this Project. We may pass this information on to other organisations, including the consortium and selection panel members in order to assess your application and to administer and evaluate the programme.

Thomson Media (TM) wishes to publish information on successful applications (including the summary provided on the first page of this form) on their website, in promotional materials disseminated through any medium, and in reports and documents. Thomson Media will not publish personal details on their website or via other media without prior permission.

DECLARATION to be signed by the Applicant

The applicant is not guilty of misrepresentation in supplying the information required as a condition for participation in the grant award procedure or of failure to supply this information.

Upon the completion of Step 2 of the evaluation process, the project will conduct the Due Diligence check. The applicant must provide all information reasonably requested by Thomson Media to complete the screening searches.

Signature I certify that I am authorized to submit this Application on behalf of the named Applicant and have read and understood the terms above.*

Please upload here all requested supporting documentation, depending whether you apply as Media organization, Individual or Initiative!*

Media Innovation Europe 2.0