Call For Applications For The South Africa Media Innovation Program

The SAMIP Innovation Challenge is for South African projects and organisations that are building news and information products that engage and inform local/underserved communities, by:
-searching for new ways to connect people with information,
-exploring new business models, distribution mechanisms and/or   revenue generation opportunities, or
-creating platforms within existing news outlets for citizen   reporting through mobile technology

Deadline
31 October 2017

Focus Areas                                                                              –Digital Native Products: New approaches to collecting news and information, and to reporting, storytelling and distribution that embrace the possibilities of technology.
-Reaching rural communities: Innovative approaches to reach and empower people outside of major urban areas, and those generally underserved by existing news media.
–Engaging people in official languages that are underserved: Attempts to engage and distribute content to communities in vernacular languages that are underserved.
–Technology innovation for distribution: New media technology for local news that can find ways to distribute all forms of media in a cost-effective and sustainable way.
–New Revenue opportunities: Innovative solutions to revenue challenges that media companies – how can SAMIP open up new revenue streams to make media organisations more sustainable and independent.
–Transition to digital: Finding and implementing solutions, products or processes that legacy media to transform their businesses.

Prize
-A total of ZAR 3 million of grant funding is available to support independent media (covering existing companies, non-profits, and new ventures) in South Africa.
-This is the initial disbursement of the total funding available   through SAMIP – the South Africa Media Innovation Program.
-SAMIP is a 3-year long program that will provide capacity  building and financing to independent media in South Africa.
-The aim of the program is to promote innovation within the media sector, and also foster new voices.
-will be selected by the SAMIP Advisory Panel, subject to approval  by the MDIF Board of Directors.

Cash Prize: Up to ZAR 500,000 (*depending on budgets, SAMIP will consider smaller projects that apply)
In addition, winners will be admitted to SAMIP and benefit from capacity building:
-on-going strategic advice, (expert advice)
-tailored one-to-one consulting, (mentorship)
-targeted group training designed to help participants’ financial viability and audience reach (training)
-further funding, if approved by Advisory Panel, based on favourable initial results

Eligibility 
-new projects just getting off the ground, for which the applicant has initial evidence of a user need.
-specific and actionable ideas for a novel product or service – product or working demo doesn’t necessarily have to be built yet – funding can be used for MVP.
-products or services that have shown initial success/viability, and applicants are looking to scale up
-Applicants could be an existing independent media company, a non-profit, or a new venture that is just kicking off.
-SAMIP is looking for mission-driven companies and organizations passionate about trying new approaches to local news and information.
-SAMIP encourages applicants who don’t have traditional journalism and media backgrounds, from the areas of technology, design and business.

Application
For more information, please visit Innovation Challenge