Projects
UNESCO is leading innovative projects around the world thanks to voluntary contributions it has received from donors in support of freedom of expression.
The following are some of our recent extra-budgetary projects:
Capacity Development of Mass Media Institutions in Support of Peace-building and Local Development in Mon and Kayin States, Myanmar
As part of its ongoing support to media development in Myanmar, UNESCO is working to strengthen national and local media’s capacities in conflict-sensitive reporting and professional standards through a project financed by the UN Peacebuilding Fund.
Developing and designing communication and information strategies for the recovery, reconstruction and democratization of Tunisian society
Through support from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNESCO opened a Project Office in Tunis in January 2012 to assist the Tunisian Government in developing and designing communication and information strategies for the recovery, reconstruction, and democratization of Tunisian Society, and to assist the Constituent Assembly and civil society in creating the new Constitution.
Enabling Freedom of Expression in All Media and Social Communication Platforms
UNESCO partnered with Canal France International (CFI) to support the media’s role in democracy, development and dialogue in five countries transitioning from or affected by conflict.
Enhancing professional and accurate media reporting on the electoral process in Jordan
Funded by the European Union, the project’s goal was to enable free and impartial information and reporting on the 2013 electoral processes in Jordan.
Empowering People to Enjoy their Right to Information for Great Accountability of Nepal’s Power Holders
The project, financed by the European Union, aims at improving the transparency of Nepal’s government and the accountability of decision-making through a broader implementation of the Right to Information Act.
Networks of Mediterranean Youth
Financed by the European Union, the programme aims at mainstreaming youth issues and priorities across national decision-making and policy implementation in European Neighbourhood Policy South countries.
Promoting Media Accountability in South East Europe and Turkey
With financial support from the European Union, the project seeks to strengthen ethical and professional standards of media professionals in South East Europe and Turkey.
Promoting an Enabling Environment for Freedom of Expression: Global Action with Special Focus on the Arab Region
With financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UNESCO is promoting freedom of expression, press freedom and freedom of information in the Arab region and South Sudan.
Promoting democracy and freedom of expression
With financial support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), UNESCO is implementing a project strengthening freedom of expression and democracy in countries spread across the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Asia.
Promoting Freedom of Expression in Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen
With financial support from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, UNESCO is implementing a project in the Arab region to strengthen legal and regulatory frameworks to promote freedom of expression, freedom of information, and press freedom.
Promoting the Safety of Journalists in Nigeria during the electoral period 2014-2015
In the context of electoral violence in Africa, the media have paid a great price, with journalists intimidated, harassed and sometimes killed. There have been cases of rival political groups attacking and vandalizing media houses owing to disputes over coverage.
Sa’a Suriya (Syrian hour) Radio programme
Under the project: Enhancing Access to Information and Freedom of Expression for Syrian Refugees in Jordan through Radio Programs, the UNESCO Amman office recently produced a short film on the Sa’a Suriya (Syrian hour) Radio programme.
Secondments of Freedom of Expression Experts
The secondment of three communication experts from the Norwegian Refugee Council has promoted UNESCO’s work on freedom of expression in Liberia, Libya and Myanmar.
Secondments to Support the Safety of Journalists
The secondment of two communication experts from the Norwegian Refugee Council has promoted UNESCO’s work in promoting the safety of journalists and combatting impunity in Pakistan and South Sudan.
Strengthening Press Freedom in Mano River Union Countries
With support from Danida, UNESCO has supported Mano River Union countries in West Africa in strengthening press freedom with a focus on supporting enabling media legislation, developing capacities of media institutions, and promoting gender sensitivity and gender mainstreaming in the media.
Supporting the Reform of the Tunisian National Television and Radio into Public Service Media
Financed by the Kingdom of Spain, this project assisted the democratic transition in Tunisia through support to the reform of Tunisian national radio and television into public service media, independence, ethical practices and gender equality.
Training of security forces on freedom of expression, freedom of press and security of journalists to promote democratic principles in Tunisia
The objective of this project, financed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands, is to enhance the security of journalists and foster freedom of expression in Tunisia by making security forces more aware of their responsibility towards journalists and their specific role in a democratic society.
World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development
The forthcoming study World Trends in Freedom of Expression and Media Development, produced with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), looks at developments in media freedom, independence, pluralism and safety.
UNESCO / Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize
Awarded annually on World Press Freedom Day, the Prize honours a person, organization or institution that has made an outstanding contribution to the defence and/or promotion of press freedom anywhere in the world, especially when this has been achieved in the face of danger. It is supported by the Guillermo Cano Isaza Foundation and the Helsingin Foundation.