IJNET Arabic’s Mentoring Center Program 2022/2023 For Mena Media Startups (US$5,000 In Seed Funding)

Deadline: 11th July, 2022

IJNet Arabic’s Mentoring Center prioritizes journalists and journalism projects that focus on improving governance in the MENA Region and promoting collaborations. Every year ICFJ selects two cohorts (of up to 16 journalists total) to work together and enhance their professional skills by connecting them with some of the brightest specialists in journalism, marketing, and financial sustainability.

The initiative is divided into three phases:

Several in-group training sessions: Participants will attend weekly sessions to strengthen their journalistic skills. These meetings might take place virtually (due to COVID-19) and lead to in-group conversations.
One-on-one mentorship for project development: A top expert will mentor each fellow individually to make sure their startup idea is well developed and ready to take off. At the end of the mentorship, participants will pitch their projects to a high-level board and be eligible to receive seed funding.
Bootcamp meeting: ICFJ organizes a 2- to 3-day in-person meeting to allow participants to meet each other, their mentors and a few Mentoring Center alumni. This is a great opportunity to network and build strong regional connections.

During the program, participants will be asked to pitch and write articles for IJNet in Arabic, as an opportunity to raise awareness of important issues discussed in the Mentoring Center.

Who should participate?

IJNet Arabic’s Mentoring Center is suitable for you if:

You are a professional or citizen journalist based in the Middle East and North Africa
You need help launching and developing your own news media startup
You have launched your news media startup and would like to help it grow
You are struggling with the financial sustainability of your startup
You believe you need to enhance your journalistic skills
You aim to strengthen democracy in your region through your journalism
You would like to build regional connections with other Arabic-speaking journalists
You are 100% focused on finding ways to turn your media outlet into a sustainable initiative
You are ready to commit to a one-year program (from September 2022 to April 2023) and dedicate up to 5 hours a week to it

Eligibility criteria

Applicants must be based (live) in the MENA region Applicants must have an idea, a project, or a media startup they want to launch/develop. Applicants must be ready to commit to a one-year program and dedicate up to five hours per week to it.

This is what previous participants have to say about the program:

Balkiss Abdelrida (Lebanon, 2015): “The Mentoring Center gave us a great advantage. The venture to support building new media projects amid the financial, political, and economic challenges in the Arab world is worth promoting.”

Shehata Sayed (Egypt, 2021): “During the program, I was able to identify the target audiences, develop a sustainability plan, analyze the media competitors, form new partnerships and improve the marketing plans.”

Najoua Hamamy (Tunisia, 2021): “After receiving guidance from my mentor, I was able to work according to a clear methodology with short and long-term goals, and to convince many organizations about my project in order to get funding and support.”

Youssef Askour (Morocco, 2021): “I have learned how to deal with donors, how to write a project proposal and budget proposal, how to increase the audience using the search engines, and how to develop a brand visual identity. The Mentoring Center is a school of knowledge and pioneering experiences at the Arab and international levels, and it is a real opportunity to make journalists able to do professional and humanitarian work.”

Dares Badani (Yemen, 2021): “We have produced a radio series called ‘Badi and Amal,’ consisting of 30 episodes that were broadcast on 13 local radio stations, in Sana’a, Hadhramaut, Aden, Al Hudaydah, Marib, Shabwa, Mahra, Ibb governorate and Taiz. It was the first series specialized in highlighting the issues and rights of people with disabilities in Yemen in a simple way that reaches all of society.”

FAQ:

Are there any costs to participating in IJNet Arabic’s Mentoring Center?

There are no costs to apply or participate in the program. All ICFJ wants is your commitment to spending up to five hours a week dedicated to the Mentoring Center and we will keep track of your engagement!

What are the target countries in this program?

The program is focused on countries located in the Middle East and North Africa. Applicants must be based (live) in the region.

What level of English proficiency is required?

The program is fully run in Arabic, so English-language proficiency is not required.

What are the requirements to participate in the Center?

You are a professional or citizen journalist based in the Middle East and North Africa.
You have a good idea and need help to launch your own news media startup.
You have launched your news media startup and would like to make it grow.
You are struggling with the financial sustainability of your project/startup.
You believe you need to enhance your journalistic skills.
You would like to build regional connections with other Arabic-speaking journalists
You are 100% focused on finding ways to turn your media outlet into a sustainable initiative
You are ready to commit to a one-year program (from September 2022 to April 2023) and dedicate up to 5 hours a week to it

How much time should the participant dedicate to this program?

The MENA Mentoring Center is a one-year program. Training sessions will be offered throughout this period. Mentorship will last a few months and the boot camp is 2-3 days long.

How significant is the seed funding offered by the program?

It depends on the year and the cohort. But It has ranged from USD$1,500 to $5,000.

Apply By: 7/11/2022

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