At our recent conference, we engaged in candid discussions with Ukrainian media leaders and representatives from donor organizations about the challenges facing the media community in the coming year. Unfortunately, data indicates a significant decline in donor funding, which could have serious repercussions. While Ukraine’s independent media is navigating a critical transition, this issue hasn’t received the attention it deserves.
The Core Media Fund aims to serve as a platform for dialogue, highlighting the current challenges in the media landscape. As Eugene Zaslavsky, Executive Director of the Media Development Foundation, emphasized in his closing remarks, it’s essential for us to address these issues collectively.
The planning horizon is narrowing, new donors are scarce, and funding is dwindling. The unprecedented support we saw in 2022-2023 was a temporary lifeline for the media. As we enter this transition period, we must prepare for heightened competition for grant funds by 2025. Donors encourage us to build reserves, yet we lack the necessary legal frameworks. We urge you to communicate to your donors that we need these tools and funding for strategic initiatives,
Eugene said.
We hope this conference marks the beginning of a vital discussion about sustainable funding models.
