{"id":19239,"date":"2025-05-30T16:08:07","date_gmt":"2025-05-30T14:08:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/?page_id=19239"},"modified":"2026-04-09T11:35:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T09:35:26","slug":"active-citizen-participation-programme-tunisia","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/topical\/governance\/active-citizen-participation-programme-tunisia","title":{"rendered":"Brave Media: standing up for independent media \u2013 Benin, Cameroon, Mali"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full w-100\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"6720\" height=\"4480\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/GV1A2867-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19247\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">In the shade of the stalls at Bamako\u2019s \u201cNamassa Danga\u201d market, Dramane Ma\u00efga, a reporter for <em>Studio Tamani<\/em>, interviews passers-by for a short video segment. Microphone in hand, he captures citizens\u2019 voices on the issues that matter to them in their daily lives. \u2013 \u00a9 Harandane Dicko \/ Fondation Hirondelle<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>Brave Media project<\/strong>, co-funded by the <a href=\"https:\/\/commission.europa.eu\/index_en\">European Commission<\/a>, is a global initiative <strong>aimed at strengthening the resilience of independent public interest media in more than 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East<\/strong>. Led by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/mediaaction\/\">BBC Media Action <\/a>and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/who-we-are\/partnerships-and-networks\">implemented by a consortium of eight organizations<\/a>, including Fondation Hirondelle, the project aims to <strong>consolidate the foundations of independent media<\/strong> in order to guarantee free access to reliable information, <strong>support democratic values<\/strong>, and <strong>ensure that journalists can continue to work in the public interest without fear or interference<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text has-media-on-the-right is-stacked-on-mobile\" style=\"grid-template-columns:auto 56%\"><div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<p>Fondation Hirondelle works in <strong>Cameroon, Benin, and Mali <\/strong>with nine partners, including three umbrella organizations, mainly through the provision of grants and tailored support for the implementation of micro-projects.<\/p>\n<\/div><figure class=\"wp-block-media-text__media\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"452\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/map-bbc-media-brave-1024x452.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-19241 size-full\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/map-bbc-media-brave-1024x452.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/map-bbc-media-brave-300x132.png 300w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/map-bbc-media-brave-768x339.png 768w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/map-bbc-media-brave-1000x441.png 1000w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/map-bbc-media-brave.png 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:19px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-content-justification-center is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-94bc23d7 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group h-100 backgroundedBlock backgroundedBlock--green has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FH annual budget<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left\">225&#8217;000 CHF<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sources of Funding<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>European Union<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group h-100 backgroundedBlock backgroundedBlock--green has-fhviolet-background-color has-background has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1bdc0ce1fabcf8678b461cf04b509579\">Key figures 2025<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-white-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-white-background-color has-background\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-c479dd3283839fd5dbeed77608092b45\">3 selected umbrella organizations<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-3a1644b540df20bfad6d8f2c849c5bdc\">6 partner radio stations supported<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-9e5ff56eb5881b6bbd996d8e2485d865\">9 cascade grants awarded<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-buttons-is-layout-16018d1d wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Fiche-Projet-2026-BRAVE-EN-2.pdf\">Download our project fact sheet<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">context<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Benin, Mali, and Cameroon, independent media operate in contexts marked by political transitions, security tensions, and strong economic pressure. While Benin enjoys relative stability, the media landscape there is tightly regulated and financially fragile. In Mali and Cameroon, security instability and restrictions on freedom of expression complicate the work of journalists. In all three countries, <strong>despite the constraints, local media outlets are demonstrating resilience and remain key players in public debate and social cohesion<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Supporting resilient and sustainable media<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>In 2025,<\/strong> Fondation Hirondelle launched and structured the grant mechanism in the three countries of intervention. After a careful selection process, Fondation Hirondelle, the media, and umbrella organizations <strong>jointly developed tailor-made micro-projects aimed at strengthening their organizational capacities, promoting gender equality, and increasing their resilience to disinformation<\/strong>. In Cameroon, for example, the micro-project provides support to young journalists through a mentoring system and strengthen ties between the media and civil society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fondation Hirondelle also oversaw an innovative pilot initiative in Benin to improve the economic viability of independent media. The goal was <strong>to create a unique coalition bringing together media outlets, research institutions, and advertising agencies to boost the local advertising market<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group backgroundedBlock backgroundedBlock--green has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Priorities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Support the production and dissemination of local information that is useful to the population.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Develop and test a pilot initiative aimed at improving media sustainability in Benin<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Editorial training and coaching<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Audience studies<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Two experts were brought in <strong>to conduct a strategic study<\/strong> that will pave the way for a replicable model in the subregion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1126\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-24452\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.7761998622622241;width:1169px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited.jpg 2000w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited-1024x577.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited-1536x865.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Photographer-edited-1000x563.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2000px) 100vw, 2000px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">A reporter from Studio Tamani on assignment in Bamako Coura collects a resident&#8217;s testimony about the realities of his daily life. \u00a9 Harandane Dicko<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>In 2026,<\/strong> BRAVE will embark on a phase of intensified deployment, focused on the structural strengthening of partners and their ramp-up, as well as the sustainable consolidation of projects. The micro-projects will be fully operational in all three countries, <strong>with close monthly monitoring of all beneficiary media outlets to ensure quality, impact, and accountability<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Three progressive training cycles will be offered to partner radio stations<\/strong>, based on needs identified in the field and adjusted throughout the evaluations, to strengthen their editorial, organizational, and strategic capacities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, umbrella organizations will receive the same structured support\u2014regular monitoring and dedicated training sessions\u2014to consolidate their role in supporting and advocating for the sector.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, audience studies will be conducted in Benin and Cameroon to better understand the expectations of the public. The results will be presented in workshops to provide concrete input for the editorial choices and development strategies of partner media outlets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ad2f72ca wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group h-100 backgroundedBlock backgroundedBlock--purple has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>In Benin, the micro-project of the Federation of Community and Similar Radio Stations of Benin (FeRCAB) aims to support a network of professional women in the media by promoting female leadership in community radio stations through skills development and the production of gender-sensitive content.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group h-100 backgroundedBlock backgroundedBlock--green has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Testimonial<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p>\u201cI understood the importance of collaborating more effectively as a journalist with civil society organizations, in order to be closer to the realities on the ground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-right has-small-font-size\"><em>A journalist of Radio Manjara, Yaound\u00e9, December 2025<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To learn more about our work in Benin, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/benin\">visit our dedicated page.<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To learn more about our work in Mali, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/our-work\/projects\/geographic\/africa\/mali\">visit our dedicated page.<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Brave Media project, co-funded by the European Commission, is a global initiative aimed at strengthening the resilience of independent public interest media in more than 20 countries in Africa, Latin America, Asia, and the Middle East. Led by BBC Media Action and implemented by a consortium of eight organizations, including Fondation Hirondelle, the project [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":14231,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-19239","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-20 19:31:25","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"translation_priority","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19239","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19239"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19239\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25195,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/19239\/revisions\/25195"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14231"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hirondelle.org\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}