Deadline: 12 September 2024
U.S. Embassy Gaborone of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit proposals to produce data-driven analyses of the digital and social media landscape of Botswana and provide insights into the influences behind trending narratives, the prevalence of misinformation, foreign origin, and inauthentic content, while incorporating elements of dynamic social media analysis throughout the grant period.
Program Objectives
- The media landscape and audience media consumption and communication habits in Botswana have undoubtedly shifted with the rise of wireless connectivity, messaging apps, and digital and social media. These shifts have notable benefits to growth, free expression, and communication – but have also coincided with an increase in scams, misinformation and other forms of inauthentic content. The objective of this funding opportunity is to generate insight into the current digital and social media landscape and ecosystem in Botswana and identify and understand potential sources of content or influence that may have a negative impact on civil society, public discourse, and the integrity of information within Botswana’s digital space.
Funding Information
- Total available funding: $50,000
- Award amounts: $50,000
- Length of performance period: 9 months
- Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
Eligible Activities
- The proposed project includes the following activities:
- Produce a methodologically sound and data-driven analysis of the digital and social media landscape of Botswana to include identifying influential content sources and platforms and topical sentiment analysis on domestic and international affairs topics.
- Identify the prevalence of misinformation, disinformation, predatory scams, and external influence within the digital and social media space.
- Utilize data and sentiment analysis techniques that capture content produced in both English and Setswana language.
- Provision of quarterly or dynamic updates on findings through the course of the project.
- Produce a capstone report at the conclusion of the grant outlining findings, insights, and methodology and host briefings to relevant stakeholders.
Target Audiences
- Business leaders involved in the digital ecosystem.
- Government officials involved in digital development.
- News organizations and influencers with significant digital influence.
- Relevant civil society institutions.
Eligibility Criteria
- The following organizations are eligible to apply:
- U.S.–based and non-U.S. based not-for-profit organizations, including think tanks and civil society/non-governmental organizations.
- U.S –based and non-U.S. based public and private educational institutions.
- Individuals.
- U.S.–based and non-U.S. based Public International Organizations.
- U.S. based and non- U.S. based profit organizations.
For more information, visit U.S. Embassy in Botswana.
