Yakeen Grant Program: Boosting Sustainability for Independent Media in Pakistan
Yakeen Grant Program (or Yaqeen Media Viability Fund) is a newly launched initiative in Pakistan designed to support independent digital media outlets. It’s aimed at enhancing financial stability, business innovation, and long-term viability in an evolving news media landscape.
- Funds available: Up to PKR 850,000 per outlet
- Eligible outlets: Digital-only, operating independently (no legacy media affiliation), active for at least one year, legally registered
- Priority criteria: Demonstrated need, existing business strategy, women-led and under-served community outlets
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Deadline to Apply: 6 July 2025
Who Can Apply For Yakeen Grant Program?
To qualify for the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Based in Pakistan and operating as independent digital media outlets
- Published consistently for a minimum of one year
- Registered legally, or with registration in progress
- Have audience reach evidence, via website or platform analytics
- Assign at least two team members to lead the grant-funded project
- Preference for outlets:
- With clear need and plan for revenue generation
- Demonstrating prior innovation in finance or content model
- Women-led operations or coverage of marginalized communities
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What the Grant Covers
The Yakeen Grant aims to strengthen digital news media through:
- Funding: Up to PKR 850K for projects in business development and financial resilience
- Technical support: Guidance and mentorship from IMS (International Media Support) and Freedom Network experts
- Project types supported:
- Audience research and user engagement strategies
- Business model testing (subscriptions, ads, events)
- New product development (apps, newsletters, paywalls)
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Selection Criteria & Application Essentials
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A defined problem statement and its connection to media viability
- Clear plans for audience growth or revenue diversification
- Organizational capacity, including:
- Team of two or more
- Analytics or reach data
- Budget and project timelines
Special consideration is given to outlets that are:
- Women-led or represent underserved voices
- Already working on financial innovation strategies
- Committed to public interest journalism free from partisan bias
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Why Yakeen Grant Program is Important
This initiative addresses major challenges in Pakistan’s digital media ecosystem:
- Sustainability crisis in small media outlets lacking funds and business models
- Reliance on legacy-affiliated funding putting independent journalism at risk
- Need for diverse, locally relevant reporting to strengthen democracy and informed public discourse
By funding public-interest, digital-first journalism, Yakeen builds:
- Financial insulation against market volatility
- Tools for revenue growth, e.g., subscriptions, ads, events
- Stronger, independent media capable of serving citizens’ information needs
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Application Process at a Glance
- Step 1: Review the eligibility criteria (digital-only, one-year publishing, legal status)
- Step 2: Prepare a project proposal with:
- Statement of need
- Audience data & growth targets
- Business or revenue strategy
- Budget and timeline
- Step 3: Form a project team of at least two members
- Step 4: Submit application before 6 July 2025
Tip:
Highlight any existing financial strategies, prior monetization efforts, or market research to stand out in the selection process.
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Conclusion
The Yakeen Grant Program represents a pivotal shift toward sustainable, independent digital journalism in Pakistan. By supporting small newsrooms with both financial investment and expert guidance, the initiative could foster a new wave of:
- Robust investigative reporting
- Innovative content formats
- Long-term media viability outside legacy networks
If roll-out and follow-up support remain strong, this program has the potential to become a national model for reinvigorating local news ecosystems across the country.
