The 2011 winter round of the Simon Cumbers Media Fund is now open for applications from members of the media including from Community Radio Stations.

The aim of the Simon Cumbers Media Fund is to promote more and better quality coverage of development issues in the Irish media and, by extension, to promote a greater understanding of the work of Irish Aid, Ireland’s official programme for overseas development.

Continuing from last year, project proposals that focus on hunger / food security; and / or that highlight positive developments in Africa and elsewhere; and / or that focus on Irish Aid’s priorities and partner countries will be favoured by judges.

The deadline for submissions for the 2011 winter round of the Fund is Friday, 16th September 2011, at 5pm.

To assist members of the media in preparing their applications for consideration by the judging panel, a number of information seminars will be held in early September, during which the Fund administrators will offer step-by-step instructions on completing the application form and give an overview of the guidelines for the Fund.

Workshops will be held in Dublin and Cork. Details are as follows:

Date: Monday, 5th September 2011
Time: 10.15am – 1.00pm
Location: Irish Aid Volunteering and Information Centre, 27 – 31 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1

Date: Tuesday, 6th September
Time: 10.15am – 1.00pm
Location: The Clarion Hotel, Lapps Quay, Cork

A light lunch will be served after each workshop. You are requested to indicate your intention to attend either event by contacting Lydia Ishak at DHR Communications, Tel: 01-4200580, Email: lydia@dhr.ie.

Full details of the 2011 winter guidelines, application process and background to the Simon Cumbers Media Fund are available at: www.simoncumbersmediafund.ie.