First Nations Media News :: New resources launched :: Funding opportunities : First Nations coverage of COVID-19

There's a chain of support that's required to respond to any crisis and that chain is in full effect right now. Our media organisations across the country are working hard to keep communities informed in extraordinary times. At this moment, safety means having the right information, right away to stay healthy. We are immensely proud of the way our members have gone above and beyond over the past few weeks out of care for their communities. Because we are community.

Meanwhile the First Nations Media Australia team has been working behind the scenes to support media organisations. That includes making sure you have the latest announcements, sharing resources and seeking financial support for the additional work our members are undertaking to respond to COVID-19. This update outlines some of those activities and announcements.

I just want to say a heartfelt thank-you to everybody who is working to #keepourmobsafe across country. We need you. Stay safe and stay deadly.
- Catherine Liddle, CEO

There's a lot of information flying around right now relating to COVID-19. We've put it all in one place on our website as an easy reference tool for First Nations media organisations. Here you'll find broadcast materials to support your reporting, such as key message scripts, audio grabs, short video content, social media content - all for your information. You will also find information to keep your business running strong through the pandemic. This includes policy template, funding information, best practice advice, links to discussion forums, fact sheets and services. Take a look here.

This week we presented a COVID-19 Business Health Check webinar series to help media organisations prepare their businesses to manage the crisis. We invited expert panelists to speak about responsibilities and care for Managers and Boards, compliance and ORIC and what the stimulus package announcements mean for our sector.
If you missed attending, or you want to revisit a particular point, recordings of each webinar can be viewed on our website here.
There are also links to relevant Technorama/CMTO & CBAA webinars on the COVID-19 one-stop-shop page too.

Ecstra has made $3m available to support community organisations that play a vital role in ensuring vulnerable consumers can access information, support and direct assistance to navigate the financial and economic impacts of COVID-19. Organisations can apply for up to 3 x $100k grants to respond the immediate crisis, support staff working remotely or in different environments or build infrastructure and organisational capacity to address the long-term social and economic recovery period that will follow the crisis. Applications are due by 30 April. Read more.

$18m is available through the Boosting Female Founders Initiative to support women with start-ups that need support to grow. The Program design follows national consultations with women across Australia, including in regional and rural areas. It also seeks to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, women with a disability and first generation migrants. Competitive grants of between $25,000 and $400,000 are available on a co-contribution basis for projects that are majority owned and led by women. For more information on applying visit their website here. Applications close 14 April, 2020.

Screen Australia’s Indigenous Department and NITV are calling for applications for the No Ordinary Black short film initiative aimed at emerging Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander filmmakers. The initiative will involve two phases. Eight to 10 creative teams will initially be selected to participate in the development phase, which in addition to development funds of up to $5000 includes attending a creative workshop in June 2020. From then, six creative teams will be selected to receive production funding to make their short, with up to $120,000 available per project. Stories must be conceived by an Indigenous creative, with Indigenous Australians in key creative roles of writer, director, and producer. No experience in screenwriting or production is required, but a demonstrated interest in pursuing a career in this field is essential. Applications close Monday, 20 April 2020. Read more.

Dart Centre Asia Pacific (DCAP) ia providing a scholarship for an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island journalist to attend Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism Summer Investigative Reporting Course in New York City. The program is scheduled to run from July 6 - 24, 2020 - although that may change the current environment. The scholarship will provide economy air fare, accommodation, course fees and a small contribution to living expenses. Applications close at midnight on April 18, 2020. Read more.