Simon Cumbers Media Fund Seeks Submissions On Development Issues
The Simon Cumbers Media Fund is now accepting proposals on development-related issues from media professionals who wish to travel to a developing country to report on contemporary life there.
The Fund, which aims to facilitate enhanced coverage of development issues in the Irish media, is supported by Irish Aid, the Government’s overseas aid programme. It was established in memory of Irish journalist Simon Cumbers, who was killed while on assignment in Saudi Arabia in 2004.
Launching the winter 2018 round, Minister of State for Diaspora and International Development, Ciarán Cannon TD said that proposals should centre on international development themes, including the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Applicants must demonstrate the relevance of their project to one or more of the seven Irish Aid Priority Areas for Action. These priority areas include climate change, health, human rights, poverty and water.
Commenting, Minister Cannon said: “Ireland plays a leading role in driving sustainable, international development and helping to empower local communities, from Vietnam to Mozambique and beyond. Irish Aid plays an essential role in this effort through a variety of initiatives, including the Simon Cumbers Media Fund.
“The Fund provides media professionals with an opportunity to cover topics that may otherwise go unreported, while offering a platform to the individuals and communities behind those stories. I would encourage reporters and photographers to think broadly about how their particular journalistic interests could be applied to a development setting and to submit a proposal.”
Applications from journalists from all media disciplines and outlets are encouraged. Photographers may also apply for funding to present a photographic exhibition as part of their submission. Judges will assess applications against criteria such as originality, the reach of the project and its potential to raise understanding of development issues among Irish audiences.
An information session for those interested in applying to the Fund will be held at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Iveagh House, 80 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2 on Tuesday, 9th October from 11am to 1pm. Media professionals who wish to attend should register by emailing info@simoncumbersmediafund.ie, putting “Dublin Information Session” in the subject line.
The deadline for the receipt of submissions to the winter 2018 round is 5pm on Wednesday, 31st October 2018.
Full details of the information session, guidelines, online application process and background to the Simon Cumbers Media Fund are available on www.simoncumbersmediafund.ie.