Continuing IJNet’s tradition of supporting digital media startups and informing journalists of new business models, tools and strategies to help them improve their skills and the quality of their performance, IJNet Arabic is now accepting applications for the sixth round of the Mentoring Center for media startups in the Middle East and North Africa.
We invite digital media organizations — whether online, mobile device-based, creating digital content, or developing creative digital solutions — to apply for the 2019 program.
During the program, two mentors will work closely with participants to guide them in developing a media and business plan, launching campaigns and developing services and content. Mentors will further train participants on how to improve written and visual content, in addition to digital marketing, social media and other key aspects of digital entrepreneurship. Participants will also study the media market specific to their country, including competing media institutions, to better understand how they work, and where their own startup will fit in.
Program overview:
This year, the program will select 16 semi-finalists in the first phase of applications, who will complete an online training and develop a pitch for their media initiative. From there, eight finalists will be selected to work closely with a dedicated mentor for ten months. The program includes two paid trips for meetings, partnerships and intensive training, including an ICFJ bootcamp and admission to the 12th annual Arab Reporters for Investigative Journalism conference in Amman, Jordan.
To further develop and strengthen the digital media startups, the mentors will travel to meet with their mentees in their home countries, or vice-versa, if needed.
Program conditions and participant commitments
- Participants must be free for at least five hours per week to pursue their project with mentors.
- Participants must commit to all program stages, including attending the training bootcamp, ARIJ conference and personal meetings with the mentors.
- Participants must produce articles about the skills, lessons and new knowledge they obtained during the program, which will be published on IJNet Arabic.
How to apply:
The application must include:
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An overview of the goals that the Mentoring Center will help to achieve
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An explanation of the expertise, tools and skills necessary to achieve these goals
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Links to the media startup’s website and/or social media accounts
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An overview of general plans to sustain and grow the media startup
The program is open to digital entrepreneurs from all Arab countries. IJNet encourages women in particular to apply.
At the end of the mentorship center program, IJNet will provide seed funding to the most promising mentee projects.
Final date to apply: June 28, 2019
To apply (in Arabic), click here.
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