2020 TV CO-OP Program

The Public Affairs Section (PAS) of the U.S. Embassy in Tbilisi, Georgia encourages U.S. organizations to apply for the 2020 Television Cooperative Program (TV CO-OP) to assist a Georgian television company in producing feature stories or/and a documentary under the generic working title ‘Emergency Preparedness and Response.’ PAS suggests the Program focus on : 1. (primary theme) the U.S. Government’s rapid response mechanisms to emergencies; 2. (secondary theme) the Government’s policy for mitigating cyber security threats, as malicious cyber activities not only threaten the economy but also the very functioning of Georgia’s democracy, freedom and values. As an add-on to the themes, it is desirable that the Program also highlight the role of the media in covering the events connected to the identified themes. PAS will nominate a Georgian television company for participation. The call for applicants envisages the submission of a proposal describing how the grant recipient organization could connect a Georgian television crew with relevant subject matter experts from government, academia, NGO‘s and other interlocutors., who would then be interviewed on camera The applicants should also be able to facilitate location scouting, shooting logistics, and provide all necessary logistical support. PAS expects the selected Georgian TV crew to produce either two 15-minute feature stories or a documentary upon their return to Georgia. The Georgian TV crew – one journalist and one cameraman - will provide all necessary filming equipment, work on post-production, and air the final product. The grant recipient organization is expected to coordinate all logistics and the program development plan - to include a shooting schedule, a list of interviews, a U.S. domestic travel itinerary, and other related details, in coordination with PAS. The recipient’s involvement in production/post-production is not required but desirable. A PAS staffer will escort the crew to the United States and provide interpretation as necessary. The project will award up to $50,000 to cover the costs o f a two-week intensive filming tour for the Georgian crew, including one journalist and one cameraman. Applicants’ proposals should include provisions that facilitate filming at different locations, taping interviews with officials including disaster response officers, subject matter experts, and other relevant stakeholders in the United States. The locations and shooting plan will be worked out together with PAS and the grant recipient organization.