Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI), a London based charity organization invites NGOs, law centres and independent media outlets in Africa to apply for Digital Rights Advancement Grants: Media Defence Centres. The organizer offers grants to such organisations, for projects that focus on providing better local level access to legal assistance and support to online independent media.

About MLDI

Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) is a charity, based in London. It provides legal help to journalists, citizen journalists and independent media across the world. Moreover, MLDI’s vision is a world where journalists no longer face legal challenges that threaten their ability to report freely and independently on issues of public interest, allowing citizens to be better informed, able to hold those in power to account. In addition to that, MLDI works to ensure legal protection of journalists and media workers under threat for reporting on issues of public interest, in the belief that freedom of expression is essential.

Grant Amount 

The Media Legal Legal Defence Initiative offers 12-month grants of up to USD 20,000 to organisations with backgrounds in defending and supporting the right to freedom of expression.

Propose of the Grant

The project aims to improve local access to legal assistance for online media and bloggers in order to advance digital rights and standards in online freedom of expression. The Project also focuses to maximise the number of digital rights cases reaching the courts. The winner can use the grant amount to set up a media legal defence unit which provides pro bono legal support to journalists, citizen journalists and independent media and/or coordinates networks of lawyers to do the same. MLDI also offers legal mentoring, capacity building, and other forms of non-financial organisational support if necessary.

Eligibility and Requirements

• The grant is open to NGOs, law centres as well as independent media outlets registered in East Africa; West Africa; or Southern Africa.
• The organisation must have a background or demonstrable interest in litigation and/or provision of legal support.
• Similarly, the organisation should have previous experience in the advancement and protection of freedom of expression in the country or region where it operates.
• Furthermore, the organisation must have sufficient administrative and financial capacity to comply with MLDI’s reporting requirements.

Application Procedure 

Interested applicants and organizations can apply online from this portal. In addition to that, the applicant organization must be able to provide the following things

• The names of the head of the organisation, board chair, and treasurer.
• The total amount of money requested.
• The organisation’s annual budget.
• A summary of expected outcomes as well as a summary of proposed activities and outputs.

Application Deadline 

The deadline to submit a concept note is Sunday 9 February 2020, 23h59 (GMT). After that, the Media Legal Defence Initiative invites shortlisted organization to submit a full proposal. The Digital Rights Advancement Grants 2020 will begin in Summer 2020.