USAID Central Asia Information Integrity Activity (CAIIA)

Background
The Central Asia Information Integrity Activity (CAIIA) is a five-year activity that aims to enhance efforts by Central Asian countries to maintain and strengthen the integrity of their information space and build societal resilience against disinformation. This goal will be achieved through media literacy and disinformation awareness public campaigns, countering disinformation and false narratives, incubating new fact-checking organizations, working with social media “influencers” and content creators, supporting coalition building among content producers to create more data-driven approaches, capacity building in investigative and data journalism, and content production grants to produce high-quality media products that stimulate demand for facts and data. The activity will also provide catalytic support to improve technical skills and knowledge of independent media outlets across the region to produce quality reporting on international, regional and local political and socio-economic issues. While addressing fundamental challenges in Central Asia’s legal and regulatory framework for the operation of independent media, the Activity will support collective advocacy and joint efforts with the Governments of Central Asia to promote coherent policy solutions to reduce mis- and disinformation.

Grant Details
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is seeking applications for a cooperative agreement from qualified entities to implement the USAID’s Central Asia Information Integrity Activity (CAIIA). The eligibility for this award is not restricted. The activity aims to strengthen the sovereignty and democratic culture of Central Asian countries by enhancing efforts to maintain and strengthen the integrity of their information space and build societal resilience against disinformation. The activity consists of three main objectives: 1) Local information diversification and counter-disinformation efforts strengthen society’s ability to develop, disseminate, access, and use information more effectively as informed citizens; 2) National and local media produce balanced, factual, and unbiased reporting on domestic and international affairs relevant to local audiences which strengthens information integrity of Central Asian countries; 3) Central Asian countries advance information policies, strategies, and legal responses that strengthen information integrity.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility for this award is not restricted. Interested parties must provide all required information as specified in the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) document. Applicants are encouraged to thoroughly read the NOFO document to understand the type of program sought, application submission requirements, selection process, as well as eligibility standards outlined in Section C of the NOFO.

Place of Performance
The specific geographic locations where the grant activities will be performed include Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, with potential availability in all five Central Asia countries.