National Disaster Coverage Training for Indonesian Journalists | PAS JAKARTA FY26 09

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the National Disaster Coverage Training for Indonesian Journalists?

It is a U.S. Mission to Indonesia grant opportunity designed to strengthen how Indonesian media covers natural disasters, with an emphasis on accurate, safe, and public-service reporting during emergencies.

2) Why is this program being offered?

The opportunity is rooted in Indonesia's high disaster risk due to its location on the Pacific Ring of Fire and frequent hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and landslides. The grant aims to address gaps in specialized disaster-environment training that can lead to unsafe field practices and misinformation that disrupts evacuations and weakens public trust.

3) What kinds of disasters does the opportunity reference as context?

The opportunity highlights recent major events to illustrate urgency, including deadly late-2025 extreme weather and landslides in North Sumatra and West Sumatra, and the 2018 Palu earthquake and tsunami in Central Sulawesi.

4) What is the main problem the grant is trying to solve?

The grant targets the lack of formal, specialized disaster coverage training among journalists in high-risk areas, which can contribute to unsafe fieldwork and inaccurate or unverified reporting during emergencies.

5) What is the overall goal of the program?

The stated goal is to build a better-prepared press corps that can report accurately under pressure, increase accountability, and support public trust during crises.

6) Who is the primary audience for the training?

The primary audience is Indonesian citizens or residents who work as journalists in print, broadcast, or digital outlets in disaster-prone regions, as well as editors and newsroom managers who oversee disaster coverage.

7) Who are the secondary audiences or stakeholders mentioned?

Secondary audiences include emergency management and first-responder stakeholders such as PMI and BNPB, civil society communicators focused on preparedness, media organizations and journalism associations, and local government public information officials.

8) What training methods are expected under this program?

The opportunity describes a mix of workshops, practical field exercises, mentorship, and simulated disaster scenarios.

9) What topics should the training cover?

Expected topics include on-the-ground safety protocols in hazardous settings, crisis communication and responsible public information delivery, fact-checking and digital verification methods, coordination with emergency officials, and related professional and ethical reporting practices.

10) What specific outputs or deliverables are expected beyond the training itself?

The recipient is expected to produce promotional materials and a full social media campaign plan, create a resource library and best-practices guide, and expand public awareness beyond the immediate training cohort. Required outputs also include providing all design files and visual assets and producing a promotion-ready, Embassy-approved photo album and video series after completion.

11) What are the measurable objectives and targets for this project?

The opportunity includes three measurable objectives: (1) equip at least 150 journalists across at least seven provinces and show at least 70 percent improve based on pre- and post-training assessments; (2) at least 75 trained media professionals demonstrate real-world application during at least one actual disaster event within the project period, supported by evidence such as published stories or verified field activity records; and (3) at least 30 participants commit to mentoring peers or conducting in-newsroom training within six months after the program ends, tracked through follow-up surveys or documented mentorship arrangements.

12) How many participants must the recipient select?

The recipient must identify and select at least 200 participants to ensure diversity across regions, outlet types, and experience levels, even though the competency target is at least 150 trained to proficiency.

13) What evidence is required to show real-world application of training?

The opportunity cites evidence such as published stories, broadcast segments, or verified field activity records demonstrating that at least 75 trained professionals delivered accurate, timely, and credible public safety information during at least one actual disaster event within the project period.

14) What does the "multiplier effect" requirement mean in this opportunity?

It refers to building a sustainable cohort of disaster-ready journalists, where at least 30 participants commit to mentoring peers or conducting in-newsroom training within six months after the program ends.

15) What kind of award instrument will be used?

The award will be made as a cooperative agreement.

16) What does it mean that this is a cooperative agreement?

In this opportunity, it means the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta will be substantially involved rather than acting only as a funder, including consultation on scheduling, review and approval of training locations, participation in participant selection, and review and approval of agendas and training content.

17) What approvals does the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta require under this opportunity?

The Embassy will review and approve training locations, agendas, and training content; must approve publicity, social media and media materials; and must approve final program deliverables such as photos, videos, and other materials.

18) What role does the Embassy play regarding U.S. experts?

The Embassy will help coordinate U.S. experts through the ECA U.S. Speaker Program roster.

19) What are the recipient organization's main responsibilities?

The recipient is responsible for end-to-end implementation, including running an open call for participants, managing selection with PAS and other stakeholders, recruiting and managing qualified experts, designing and delivering training modules, providing hands-on learning (simulations, case studies, field exercises), managing logistics (venues and AV support), producing promotional materials, creating a resource library and best-practices guide, and maintaining regular, transparent communication with the grants officer and program staff throughout performance.

20) What content areas must the training modules include?

The opportunity specifies modules spanning safety, technical reporting skills, disaster science literacy, ethics, digital tools and verification, interviewing techniques, and coordination with emergency officials.

21) Is the program expected to expand awareness beyond the trainees?

Yes. The opportunity explicitly calls for expanding public awareness beyond the immediate training cohort, supported by promotional materials and a social media campaign plan.

22) Who is eligible to apply for this grant?

Eligibility is limited to Indonesia-based, non-profit or non-government organizations, Indonesian public or private educational institutions, Indonesian journalism associations and media development organizations, and Indonesian civil society organizations with relevant experience in journalism training or disaster preparedness.

23) Are for-profit entities eligible?

No. For-profit entities are explicitly ineligible.

24) What kinds of organizations are especially encouraged to apply?

Organizations with a track record in media capacity building and professional development are particularly encouraged.

25) How much funding is available?

The award ceiling is $25,000.

26) How many awards are expected?

The opportunity indicates one expected award.

27) Is this funding discretionary?

Yes. The opportunity is described as discretionary.

28) What is the application deadline?

The opportunity closes on 2026-08-28.

29) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is PAS JAKARTA FY26 09.

30) Which agency administers this opportunity and what is the CFDA number?

It is administered by the U.S. Mission to Indonesia under CFDA 19.040.