The Core Media Fund is a new initiative of the Media Development Foundation aimed at ensuring the sustainability and development of quality independent journalism in Ukraine. The idea behind CMF is not only to raise and distribute funds, but also to serve as an advocacy platform that highlights the challenges of media financing in Ukraine and works to address them.
The Foundation will provide long-term financial support to independent media outlets that serve the public interest, grants to strengthen institutional capacity, and support for promoting innovation and digital transformation in the media sector. Additionally, regional newsrooms will have the opportunity to receive funding to expand their coverage into “news deserts” and improve the safety and security of journalists working in high-risk environments.
The MDF plans to replenish the Fund from a variety of sources to ensure its long-term sustainability and independence. Potential funding sources include international donor organizations and foundations, bilateral and multilateral development agencies, private sector contributions, including from technology companies, government funding (with strong safeguards to ensure editorial independence), and crowdfunding and individual donations.
In selecting grantees, the Foundation’s team will assess editorial independence, financial sustainability plans, impact and reach, and commitment to ethical standards. This approach aligns with the best practices outlined in the GFMD’s policy paper on national journalism foundations (GFMD IMPACT, 2023).
