North African Network to Counter Mis- and Dis-information | PAS ALG FY24

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAS ALG FY24

The North African Network to Counter Mis- and Dis-information grant is an open competition run by the U.S. Embassy Algiers Public Affairs Section (U.S. Department of State) to support a single program that builds a regional community of journalists equipped to spot, verify, and push back against misinformation and disinformation. The priority geographic focus is North Africa, specifically Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt, with the overall intent of strengthening cross-border cooperation among media professionals and improving the information environment through stronger reporting practices and public education.

At the core of the project is the creation of a regional network of journalists who can regularly collaborate and share practical tools, resources, and strategies for dealing with false or manipulated content. The program is expected to go beyond a one-time training and instead establish an ongoing structure for cooperation, such as shared communication channels, resource libraries, and regular convenings that help participants troubleshoot real-world challenges together. The network concept is meant to encourage consistent peer-to-peer learning and coordination across countries where information threats can spread quickly and where journalists often face similar verification problems.

A major pillar of the opportunity is specialized training designed to improve the professional skill set needed to identify and counter mis- and dis-information. Training topics are expected to include digital literacy, fact-checking methods, investigative journalism techniques, and practical uses of technology to trace sources and track how narratives spread. In practice, applicants should anticipate building structured curricula and delivering workshops or training sessions that help journalists verify claims, analyze online content, assess source credibility, and report responsibly in a fast-moving digital landscape.

The grant also emphasizes collaboration and information sharing as active program outputs, not just a general aspiration. Applicants are encouraged to facilitate meetings, workshops, and conferences that bring network members together, while also putting in place mechanisms for continuous engagement between events. This could include regional working groups, regular virtual meetings, shared editorial or verification protocols, and tools that make it easier for journalists to coordinate on emerging disinformation trends or cross-border stories that require verification support.

Another expected component is public awareness and education. The program is not only about training journalists behind the scenes; it also aims to help communities better understand the risks of misinformation and disinformation and how to identify trustworthy information sources. Suggested approaches include public-facing campaigns and community engagement activities such as town halls and social media outreach. The idea is to build a more informed public that is less vulnerable to manipulation, while also increasing visibility for credible journalism and verification practices.

Monitoring and evaluation are explicitly called out as required program functions. The implementing organization should assess how well the trainings work, how effective the network is in practice, and what changes are needed as the information landscape evolves. The opportunity expects ongoing measurement and periodic adjustments, rather than a set-it-and-forget-it model, so applicants should plan for regular assessments that track both participation and real-world impact.

Sustainability is another stated objective, with an expectation that the network will be designed to last beyond the initial activities. The notice suggests encouraging local chapters as one way to keep the network active and relevant over time. This signals that competitive proposals will likely show how the network can continue operating, maintain engagement, and remain useful across the region after the grant period ends.

In terms of who the program should reach, the primary audiences are working journalists and media professionals involved in reporting and news distribution, as well as media organizations and news agencies that can support and amplify the effort. Secondary audiences include journalism students and educators (to help embed these skills in training pipelines), fact-checkers and digital literacy advocates, and community leaders or influencers who can help extend public awareness messages and reinforce credible information practices in their communities.

Funding details are straightforward: the program will run for 18 to 24 months, with an anticipated start in Fall 2024, and the total funding available is $500,000. Only one award is expected, with an award ceiling of $500,000, funded through Smith-Mundt FY2024 Public Diplomacy funds. The award instrument may be a grant or a cooperative agreement; if it is a cooperative agreement, the U.S. Embassies in Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya will have substantial involvement, including reviewing participants and/or activities. The Department of State also indicates it may consider non-competitive continuation funding beyond the initial budget period, depending on funding availability, program performance, and whether continued support serves Department interests.

Eligibility is broad and includes U.S., Algerian, or other organizations with meaningful ties to the priority countries/region. Eligible applicants include registered not-for-profit organizations (including think tanks and NGOs with relevant programming experience), non-profit or governmental educational institutions, social enterprises (public or private), and press/media entities (both public and private traditional outlets). Cost sharing is not required, which lowers the barrier for organizations that may not have matching funds. The opportunity listing includes CFDA 19.040 and identifies common eligible categories such as higher education institutions and nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status. The original closing date listed is 2024-08-17.

• The U.S. Mission to Algeria in the other sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "North African Network to Counter Mis- and Dis-information" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 19.040.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2024-07-17.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-08-17. (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 $500,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, 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.

Apply for PAS ALG FY24

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