Media Literacy Program | TIRMEDIALITERACYFY24

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): U.S. Embassy Tirana Media Literacy Program (Albania)

1) What is this funding opportunity about?

This opportunity is a call for proposals for a Media Literacy Program in Albania. The goal is to strengthen how Albanians, especially university-age youth, consume, evaluate, and create media content in an environment where disinformation from foreign actors is a growing concern.

2) Who is offering this program?

The program is offered by the U.S. Embassy in Tirana (U.S. Mission to Albania).

3) What is the main purpose of the program?

The program aims to move media consumption away from passive viewing and toward active, critical analysis, with a focus on recognizing misinformation, misrepresentation, and manipulation.

4) What type of award is this?

This opportunity is structured as a cooperative agreement. That typically means the Embassy expects to be more actively involved in coordinating or shaping certain aspects of implementation compared with a standard grant.

5) Who is the primary audience or beneficiary for program activities?

A major focus is on Albanians of university age (youth). The program also emphasizes working through universities and teacher education to create longer-term, broader impact across society.

6) Why are universities emphasized in this program?

A central feature of the program is its connection to Albanian universities, particularly teacher education. Proposals are expected to treat media literacy as something that can be taught and embedded at the university level and across society, rather than only delivering standalone workshops.

7) What does the program mean by linking pre-university and university education?

The Embassy emphasizes building pathways that connect pre-university and university education by integrating media literacy into pre-service teacher preparation. Future teachers are viewed as the bridge between university-based instruction and what students later experience in primary and secondary schools, creating a multiplier effect beyond one-off trainings.

8) What are the priority objectives applicants are expected to address?

The Embassy lists several priority objectives, including:

• Developing and delivering instruction that clarifies media literacy as a practical concept and skill set.
• Creating opportunities and materials to integrate media literacy across education levels via teacher preparation programs.
• Increasing the capacity of university pedagogical staff to teach and promote media literacy (including approaches such as Training of Trainers).
• Directly engaging students to improve analytical skills (assessing sources, narratives, and claims) and creative skills (producing responsible content).
• Building youth resilience to disinformation, fake news, conspiracy theories, and propaganda through structured engagement.

9) What kinds of activities does the Embassy mention as examples?

The notice references activities and methods such as trainings, Training of Trainers (ToT), competitions, and public-facing media literacy events. It also emphasizes student engagement focused on both analysis and responsible content creation.

10) Is the program only about spotting misinformation?

No. The program includes recognizing misinformation, misrepresentation, and manipulation, while also strengthening analytical skills (how students assess sources, narratives, and claims) and creative skills (how they produce responsible content).

11) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is limited to not-for-profit entities such as civil society organizations, NGOs, and think tanks that can respond to the notice of funding opportunity and that have relevant experience in media literacy programming. Individuals are not the target applicants for this call.

12) Are individuals allowed to apply?

No. The opportunity is intended for eligible not-for-profit organizations rather than individual applicants.

13) Is prior experience required?

The Embassy specifies that eligible applicants should have relevant experience in media literacy programming.

14) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching funds are not required and will not be scored as part of the evaluation. Applicants are encouraged to add cost share if feasible.

15) Will offering cost share improve an application score?

The information provided states that cost sharing will not be scored as part of the evaluation, even though applicants may include cost share if it is feasible.

16) What administrative registrations are required to apply?

Applicants must have a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and an active registration in SAM.gov. These are described as standard prerequisites for U.S. government awards to organizations.

17) How many proposals can an organization submit?

Each organization may submit only one proposal. Submitting more than one will render all submissions from that organization ineligible.

18) How many awards does the Embassy expect to make?

The program anticipates making a single award.

19) What is the maximum award amount?

The award ceiling is $300,000.

20) What is the CFDA number and category for this opportunity?

The opportunity is issued under CFDA 19.900 and is categorized under humanities funding.

21) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is TIRMEDIALITERACYFY24.

22) What is the application deadline?

The original application deadline listed is March 26, 2024.

23) What longer-term outcomes is the Embassy trying to achieve?

A recurring desired outcome is stronger youth resilience to disinformation, fake news, conspiracy theories, and propaganda. The Embassy also emphasizes sustainable impact by building media literacy into teacher preparation, enabling future teachers to carry these skills into primary and secondary education settings.

24) What does the Embassy mean by a continuation of prior work?

The Embassy frames this call as a continuation of work it has supported over the last three years to promote active, critical media analysis and reduce passive media consumption.