Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund

In the context of the Global Ireland Strategy, the Department of Foreign Affairs established the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund ('the Fund').

The objective of the Fund is to support the provision of information about major geo-political developments and the changing nature of Ireland’s role in the world, to the public in Ireland, by helping build the capacity of Irish media outlets to undertake international reporting.

A core principle of the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund is editorial independence. Accordingly, following the allocation of funding to organisations to support their coverage of international issues, the Department of Foreign Affairs does not direct the organisations in terms of the projects selected, the tone of the coverage, or the allocation of staff to carry out this work.

The Fund was first established on a two-year basis. A review of the pilot was conducted in 2024, following which the Department confirmed the continuation of the Fund for a further two years, at which point the initiative will be reviewed.

During the prescribed application periods, applicant organisations are invited to submit proposals via an application form which will be published here once the application window opens.

Applications will only be accepted during the application window.

The application window is currently closed.

Applicants are advised to read the Fund Terms of Reference (TORs) in advance of applying. The TORs outline eligibility criteria and the factors taken into account when assessing applications.

Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund: Terms of Reference

Applications are reviewed by the Expert Advisory Panel (EAP). The EAP feedback and applications are shared with the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund/GIMCF Evaluation Committee for final evaluation and recommendation to the Secretary General of the Department of Foreign Affairs, who is the final decision maker for funding awarded through the GIMCF.

The last application window opened early 2025. Once awards have been approved, a notice will be published below.

Awards under Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund

Awards under Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund

Awards under Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund

To provide objective input into the pilot process, DFA authorised the establishment of an external panel to support the objectives of and help ensure quality and good governance of the Fund. This Panel was composed of independent experts from the media and journalism sector who provided advice and feedback on applications to inform the DFA-decision making process on applications to the Fund.

A new Expert Advisory Panel was established in 2025 for a 2-year period via a public call for expressions of interest.

The new Expert Advisory Panel is as follows:

• Madeline Boughton is a researcher and academic with DCU School of Communications. She has a track record and expertise in government communications and international cultural relations, with a particular focus on the arts and creative industries.
• Conor Brady is a former editor of The Irish Times and of The Sunday Tribune.
• Shaunagh Connaire is a double Emmy-nominated journalist and filmmaker with 15 years of experience working in London and New York, producing documentaries and reports for the BBC, Channel 4 (Dispatches & Unreported World), the Financial Times, PBS Frontline and more recently she served as a director at The Clooney Foundation for Justice.
• Tom Felle is associate professor and Head of the Department of Journalism and Media at the University of Galway. He is a former career journalist and foreign correspondent.
• Niall McDonald is the Head of Communications and Media at Dóchas, the Irish Network of Humanitarian Organisations. He was previously a journalist working as a news Producer at CNN, Sky News, the Associated Press and The Tonight Show on Virgin Media.

All enquires related to the Global Ireland Media Challenge Fund should be addressed to GIUMediaChallenge@dfa.ie.