Amplify Asia
Tailored coaching for Asian media
Amplify Asia is an innovative coaching program for independent media working to build their business capacity and financial sustainability. It provides support to independent media based in or serving selected countries in Southeast and South Asia.
Amplify Asia is open to applications until 15 April 2024 at 11:59pm GMT+7. Media from Southeast Asia as well as Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are eligible to apply.
Key features and benefits
- Careful matching with personal coach from the region to advise on company strategy
- Capacity building plans tailored to the media’s individual needs
- Access to regional specialists
- Technical assistance in areas such as website redesign, SEO services, sales and marketing training
- Possibility of small grants and seed equity facility
Criteria for joining the program
Amplify Asia supports the business development of selected media from several countries in South-East and South Asia. There are strict eligibility conditions for participation. Applicants must be:
- Media companies (for-profit) or not-for-profit organizations committed to providing credible, independent news, information or public interest debate for audiences based primarily in South and Southeast Asia. Media from Southeast Asia as well as Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are eligible to apply.
- Independent from the government or any other political or economic interest group.
- Supportive of democratic practices and institutions, political pluralism, transparency, human rights, dignity and equal rights for all, regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, religion and other subjects of discrimination.
- Operating in countries where access to reliable information is limited.
- Legally registered, except in extraordinary circumstances.
- Committed to developing a path to financial sustainability.
- Having sufficient capacity to produce regular financial reports.
- Willing to commit sufficient time to work with coaches/mentors and carry out assigned tasks.
Apply now for Amplify Asia and stay up to date with the latest news and updates
FAQs
Media from the following Southeast Asian countries are eligible: Brunei, Cambodia, East Timor, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.
Media from the following South Asian countries are eligible: Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
We do not have an expansion planned at this time.
Coaching schedules are based on agreement between the media and the coach assigned to work with them, but virtual meetings are usually weekly, bi-weekly or monthly, with periodic in-person coaching meetings as well. At least two of the media’s top executives should be ready to participate regularly in the coaching program.
Amplify Asia principally provides capacity-building support in the form of coaching and training. The program does have a small grant facility to support new initiatives designed to extend audience reach or increase revenue, provided the media’s coach endorses them.
Apply using this application link. The deadline for applications is 15 April 2024 at 11:59pm GMT+7.
No. While Amplify Asia supports and encourages local language projects, the application must be in English.
Yes, but they must be committed to developing non-donor revenue streams.
If you have a question that isn’t answered here, please contact Senior Program Officer for Asia Mayuri Mei Lin.
Participating media
Country: Indonesia
Type: Digital
Bandung Bergerak is a hyperlocal media outlet that reports on political and social affairs issues in Bandung, the capital of Indonesia’s West Java province.
Country: Philippines
Type: Digital
Davao Today is an online news magazine based in Davao, focused on news, business, politics, culture and lifestyle in the city and nearby towns.
Country: Malaysia
Type: Digital
Faqcheck Lab is a fact-checking initiative based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. They factcheck and debunk disinformation spread online, and also conduct media monitoring.
Country: Nepal
Type: Digital
Herne Katha is a media outlet based in Kathmandu whose most popular content is a web series featuring high-quality short human interest documentaries.
Country: Sri Lanka
Type: Digital
Himal Southasian is a regional online magazine with a focus on the politics and culture of South Asia.
Country: Indonesia
Type: Digital
Konde is an online news outlet that reports and publishes research on the politics, economics and social affairs of women and minority groups in Indonesia.
Country: Vietnam
Type: Digital
Luật Khoa Magazine is an independent, not-for-profit online magazine based in exile covering Vietnam’s political and legal scene.
Country: Indonesia
Type: Digital
Project Multatuli is a collective initiative producing data-based, deeply researched news stories focused on marginalised voices in society.
Country: Indonesia
Type: Digital
NU Jabar Online is an online media outlet based in Bandung with news focused on the West Java province.
Country: Pakistan
Type: Digital
Pakistan Press International is an independent news wire agency that is recognized as a credible news source and has one of the largest networks of journalists in Pakistan.
Country: Philippines
Type: Audio
Puma podcast is a leader in podcasting and audio production in the Philippines, founded by a group of award-winning journalists.
Country: Pakistan
Type: Digital
The Centrum Media is an independent digital media based in Pakistan that reports on the South Asia region.
Country: Thailand
Type: Digital
The Opener is an independent digital publication based in Bangkok that reports on political, economic and cultural issues in Thailand.
Do you want to provide funding or support to this program?
Find more information here on how to make a meaningful contribution.
