THE International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute has announced that applications for the ENGAGE phase of Google-backed Global Fact Check Fund is now open.
The announcement was made in a statement on Friday, December 1, 2023. Applications would be accepted from when the announcement was made until January 8, 2024.
Over three years, the fund will support fact-checking organizations that are verified as signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles as well as collaborating organizations that are not signatories.
The statement added there were 154 IFCN-verified signatories from more than 60 countries as of April 2023.
READ :Â Google, YouTube partner IFCN to support global fact-checking initiatives with $13.2m grant
This new programme will provide beneficiaries with up to USD 12 million in financing through different grant possibilities, divided into three tiers: up to USD 25,000, up to USD 50,000, and up to USD 100,000, part of the statement read.
It added that the fund’s goal is to improve the operational, production, and engagement capabilities of local and regional media organizations in order to raise the standard, quantity, regularity, scope, and influence of fact-checking skills and endeavours.
The statement also highlighted that it will assist qualified organizations in raising the standard of professionalism in fact-checking media outlets adhere to while also enhancing the capacity of target audiences to evaluate mass media and social media critically.
It will be recalled that the IFCN had on November 29, 2022 announced a partnership with Google and YouTube to support fact-checking initiatives worldwide and reduce the harm of misinformation.
Earlier in June 2023, the IFCN announced the 35 recipients of the first phase of the grant (BUILD phase) in which The FactCheckHub was among its selected recipients and also announced the recipients of the second phase (GROW phase) in November.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or [email protected].
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