THE NATIONAL UNION OF
JOURNALISTS OF UKRAINE
The World Association of News Publishers (WAN-IFRA), in partnership with the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine (AIRPU) and the Norwegian Media Association (MBL), is proud to announce the launch of the program Stronger Together: Media and Democracy, made possible by Norad’s Nansen support program for Ukraine.
This three-year media support program with a budget of NOK 70 million will reach up to 75 regional and local media outlets across Ukraine. The combined audience of these media outlets reaches about 24.5 million people, which is almost 80% of the country’s population.
“Independent journalism in Ukraine is more important and, at the same time, very vulnerable than ever. Through the Stronger Together: Media and Democracy program, we are not only supporting the media but also protecting the very foundations of democracy. Regional and local media professionals continue to provide reliable, independent information despite ongoing financial and security challenges. Our program will provide regional and local media with the necessary resources to continue their mission. We are deeply grateful to the people of Norway and Norad for their support, as well as to our partners WAN-IFRA and MBL for their unwavering solidarity and commitment to press freedom in Ukraine,” said Oksana Brovko, the director of the AIRPU.
The Stronger Together: Media and Democracy program will focus on three key areas:
- Financial and organizational sustainability – strengthening media through sustainable business model training and institutional grants
- Transparency and anti-corruption – supporting investigative journalism through grants and editorial mentoring
- Gender equality and inclusion – developing leadership skills and career coaching within the Women in News program
The program leverages strong networks of Norwegian, international, and Ukrainian partners who will act as mentors, trainers, and consultants. It will facilitate professional exchange and strengthen networks of media professionals, which strengthens the resilience of the sector and demonstrates solidarity in practice.
“In a time when truth is under threat, independent media and journalism are more important than ever. We are pleased to collaborate with our Ukrainian colleagues in the Stronger Together program and with our global media association, WAN-IFRA. “With this important grant from Norad and the Nansen Programme, we will be able to fund three years of close cooperation between Norwegian media and local and regional media in Ukraine,” said Randi Egray, Director of MBL.
Since russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, independent local and regional media have played a crucial role in disseminating impartial information, holding authorities accountable, and supporting community resilience. However, the sector has been under threat due to loss of revenue streams, operational risks, and security threats. The sudden cessation of USAID’s funding of independent media has only exacerbated the crisis, pushing the fragile media ecosystem to the brink of collapse under increasing financial pressure.
“We deeply appreciate the opportunity to work with AIRPU and MBL to strengthen Ukraine’s independent media sector. This partnership is a landmark milestone in our joint work to support journalists on the front lines. Our organization was founded by journalists who participated in the resistance movement during World War II, so we share the unwavering commitment of our Ukrainian colleagues who risk their safety every day to provide truthful and credible news in the face of disinformation and repression,” said Melanie Walker, the Executive Director of Media Development at WAN-IFRA.
You can apply for institutional support grants, investigative journalism projects, and leadership development programs here. We encourage all interested regional and local media to apply and become part of a strong, transparent, and inclusive media ecosystem in Ukraine. Application link.
Please note that a full organizational assessment is the first step in the application process. Applications must be submitted by the head of the company. Only one application should be submitted from one media outlet.
On Thursday, March 13, at 12:30, we invite you to a press conference dedicated to the program Stronger Together: Media and Democracy.
The event will be held online.
To connect to the broadcast in Ukrainian: https://www.youtube.com/live/ySmRjOuRNFs
Broadcast in English: https://www.youtube.com/live/wBQvBuQEOnI
The Nansen Support Programme for Ukraine is a Norwegian civilian and military support program worth NOK 205 billion for the period 2023–2030.
For more information, please contact: stronger.together@WAN-IFRA.org
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