FAQ
MediaFit Creators Fund: Season 4

• What is the timeline for the application of the Season 4 of the Creators Fund?

The call of application starts on 15 August 2023. The deadline for submission is 3 September 2023. By the end of September 2023, we will inform you on the results of the competition, if selected.

• When and in which formats do I need to participate during the Creators Fund Season 4?

The programme consists of a compulsory training and mentoring programme. The sessions will be held online in Ukrainian.

Training programme: October-November 2023 (tentative 40 hours spread over multiple days).

The trainings are for the entire group and there will be fixed dates then.
Mentoring: Mid-November-December 2023. The mentorship is offered individually: there are almost no fixed dates, so you can adjust the collaboration with your mentor to your daily routine.

Production phase: last weeks of the training programme in November till the end of December 2023.

• When will a Creator receive the funding?

The production grant in the amount of 2000 Euro will be paid in December 2023.

• Which type of costs can be funded?

Funded can be production related costs including staff costs, equipment rental, equipment, technical/creative/management fees, publication of the product, visibility activities and travel costs, content distribution and promotion.

• How will I know if you have received my application?

You will receive an automatic confirmation once your submission is complete. Please do not additionally contact our office to confirm the receipt of your application.

• How will I know that my idea has been selected?

We will contact you once your product idea has been selected. By the end of September 2023, we will inform you on the results of the competition, if selected. Rejected applicants will be informed by Mid-October 2023. Please note that we cannot give you individual feedback on your rejected application.

• What are the criteria of the selection?

Most importantly the media product must be relevant to audiences of the ten target regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy and Chernihiv. We look specifically for creative ideas and relevant topics. We appreciate if you show new perspectives and enhance the quality of life of the target audiences, providing them with valuable information. We are looking for independent media professionals with at least 3-year journalistic experience and strong adherence to the quality journalism standards. Very important is that you have already gathered first experiences with podcasting and produced your own podcast episodes / programmes.

We welcome all topics relevant to the regional audiences. Content-wise your projects could include but are not limited to environmental and gender-sensitive topics or reporting on national, ethnic minorities and indigenous population of Ukraine or people with disabilities. There is a special quote for fact-checking products. News content as well as any sort of fiction production are not supported.

• What does it mean that a media product has to target a regional audience?

Creators Fund is a regional project targeting audience(s) from these regions: Donetsk, Luhansk, Dnipro, Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy and Chernihiv. It is important that your story is relevant to the interests of an audience of at least one of these regions. Our suggestion would be to put a focus on a story that would grab the attention of the people who live in the target regions. Choose an event, fact, character or development that will interest or educate people who live there.

• Who will select the best media product ideas?

A committee of  national and international media experts will select 12 compelling applicants for the Creators Fund Season 4.

• What does the mentoring programme involve?

Every creator will be paired with an experienced Ukrainian mentor who will guide through the development, production and publishing process of the media product.

• Can I create a product in any language other than Ukrainian, e.g. those of minorities and indigenous groups?

Yes, however, you will have to provide and publish a Ukrainian version of the media product.

• What is meant by distribution and promotion of the product?

It is requested for each participant of the Creators Fund to find an established media platform or outlet to publish the final product. We also expect you to distribute and promote the final product on relevant channels so that the target audience is reached.

• Will I receive professional technical support from the DW Akademie while working on my products?

DW Akademie mentors will support you during the development, production and publication of your media product. Unfortunately, we cannot offer you professional technical support. If specific technical or digital services are needed, you may cover it from the funding received.

• Are there any limitations or requirements for the chosen topic?

No, you are free to cover any topic. Be aware that you must adhere to ethical and professional standards. Products funded must also adhere to the values of the European Convention on Human Rights. Products that violate the right to human dignity and the prohibition of inhuman and degrading treatment by, for example glorifying war, physical, psychological or sexual violence, or offending moral or religious feelings, will not be supported.

• Who is responsible for the final editorial approval of the product: DW Akademie or the media platform where I am intending to publish my product?

DW Akademie will guide you through the production cycle, providing support and capacity-building via a mentorship programme and trainings. The final editorial approval of the product is up to DW Akademie and also the media outlets and platforms that agree to publish the product.

• Is it possible to apply with more than one product?

Yes, that you are allowed to apply with several product ideas. Please be aware that only one of your products can be selected for the fourth season of the Creators Fund.

• Is it possible to apply as a team?

Yes, you can apply as a team or as an organisation.

• If I am individual journalist, can I still apply?

Yes, in this case please provide us with your tax number. It is important that you are an individual, a FOP or an organisation with a bank account that allows you to receive grants / payments from abroad, particularly from Germany (as due to the current situation, there might occur some limitations on money transfer to organisations or individuals registered in particular regions of Ukraine).

Please be aware that the contract is issued in the DW Akademie’s headquarter and is available only in English language.