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External Evaluation of UNESCO’s International Programme for the Development of Communication

Aida al-Kaisy, Xavier Lewis Rodriguez, Daniel Skillings

Paris; London: UNESCO; Aleph Strategies Ltd (2026), v, 97 pp.

"THE IPDC IS A UNIQUE STRUCTURE IN THE MEDIA DEVELOPMENT ECOSYSTEM. The IPDC’s core strength and unique contributions to the media development ecosystem lies in its Member State-driven intergovernmental Council decision-making body, coupled with its support to grassroots projects across the globe ... on an annual basis. Interviews consistently highlighted the strong alignment of its normative function with key requirements for a healthy media ecosystem. This includes its work on media viability, which stakeholders noted was particularly timely, coming at a moment when many independent media outlets were facing “existential threats”. The IPDC is also the only Special Account within UNESCO’s CI Sector with an explicit focus on journalism education. Interviewees further emphasised the Programme’s unique position to use its Council to hold Member States to account on issues related to journalist safety. The evaluation also generally found that the IPDC’s normative function and grassroots projects are well aligned. Grassroots projects frequently incorporate and localise UNESCO’s global normative instruments, ensuring that standards and tools are applied in contextually relevant ways. This dynamic is most evident in the area of journalist safety, where the Journalist Safety Indicators have been adapted and applied across multiple national settings. STRONG PERFORMANCE OF THE IPDC’S GRASSROOTS PROJECTS. The projects reviewed primarily contributed to improvements in knowledge, skills and improved practices across a variety of thematics. An important factor is that the IPDC effectively reaches project implementers with access to a diversity of beneficiaries – community, online and traditional media outlets, students, and marginalised groups such as some Indigenous communities in Central America or South-East Asia. Moreover, the IPDC contributes positively to UNESCO Global Priorities, including gender equality and Africa. Projects frequently address women journalists’ safety and participation, and Africa remains a major focus region. IMPROVED PROCESSES THAT ENABLED EFFICIENCY. Field Offices play a critical role in identifying proposals and implementation monitoring, while the Secretariat is widely perceived to be responsive, manage annual calls transparently and consistently, as well as provide effective backstop support to Field Offices. The latter has implemented several reforms recently to improve the efficiency of processes, including an online portal for proposals, and an IPDC/ Global Media Defence Fund (GMDF) project database. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY IS A MAJOR RISK TO THE IPDC AND ITS PROJECT IMPLEMENTERS. As the only intergovernmental media development mechanism in the UN system, stakeholders interviewed underlined the importance of its continuity. However, much like other media development initiatives, funding levels have declined since 2020. This has put a strain on resources. In 2024, the Bureau received 117 project proposals but approved 39 (with additional initiatives placed on a reserve list). By comparison, the Bureau approved 86 grassroots projects in 2021. Evaluation participants also pointed to limited funding available to further enhance the IPDC’s contributions to media viability policy and uptake of journalism education curricula. While the Secretariat has the broadest donor base in comparison to UNESCO’s Multi-Donor Partnership on Freedom of Expression and Journalist Safety (MDP) and the GMDF, just four donors provided USD 1 million or more between 2018 and 2025. There is also a perceived ‘competition’ in funding between these three mechanisms. Stakeholders reported that donors often favour vehicles perceived as more flexible and faster to deploy, while the IPDC’s intergovernmental cycle can slow decisions, and politicise normative discussions. At the grassroots project level, partners described post-grant finances as vulnerable, including dependence on short-term and small-scale projects and/or projects downsizing once grants ended. The evaluation found that sustainability planning was often absent or operationally vague among grassroots (despite it being part of IPDC requirements), with plans that assumed follow-on donor funding rather than specifying how activities would be embedded in routine systems and resourced. IMPACT IN CONTEXT: The Challenges of Short-Term Projects in a Worsening Global Climate for Media Freedom While the evaluation found that IPDC interventions did contribute to gains for its beneficiaries, long-term and systematic changes are harder to demonstrate. While IPDC grassroots projects are typically short-term and small-scale and often operate in contexts that are increasingly hostile to independent media, policy and institutional change require sustained engagement over time, and the involvement of stakeholders across civil society and authorities. This points to an area that merits further exploration. The IPDC’s unique position of supporting grassroots projects globally and international media development actors creates an opportunity for the Programme to facilitate connections between stakeholders. LIMITED ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE RESULTS AND IMPACT. The IPDC Secretariat has made notable progress in developing a Results Assessment Framework, aimed at capturing the breadth of IPDC supported activities and consistent with its demand-driven approach. As a result, Performance Indicators are largely activity or output level, such as counting the number of projects implemented broken down by thematic area. The IPDC Secretariat introduced an M&E Framework in 2025 and delivered training for Field Offices and grassroots partners to support its implementation. This includes requirements for projects to include performance indicators and guidance on how to collect more outcome level changes. However, the evaluation found a number of gaps to address. Current grassroots project reporting was typically output focused rather than analytical and providing contributions to outcomes; which is a partially understandable limitation given the short implementation timelines of most projects and limited M&E capacity of some partners. The evaluation also found that Field Offices and grassroots projects likely will not have sufficient resources to implement the new M&E Framework. For example, interviews highlighted that they did not have the knowledge or time to conduct Outcome Harvesting workshops, a suggested tool to collect outcome level changes. The RAF also lacks indicators that capture outcome or impact level changes." (Key findings, pages 2-4) more

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Quadrennial Report 2022-2025: Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists

Antonia Eser-Ruperti, Ka Kio Mok, Xu Jing, Olivier Van Bockstael (eds.)

Paris: UNESCO (2026), 63 pp.

"[...] the Multi-Donor Programme on Freedom of Expression and Safety of Journalists (MDP) has proven critical in providing long- and short-term responses to the threats against information integrity. It strengthens the rule of law through empowering judges, prosecutors, and parliamentarians in prote ... more

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Independent Evaluation of the Media Freedom Coalition

Aida Al Kaisy, Daniel Skillings, Ivana Jiménez Barrios

Paris: Aleph Strategies; Media Freedom Coalition (2025), 62 pp.

"The evaluation found that the MFC has made notable contributions to media freedom and journalist safety over the past five years. It has played a role in encouraging some Member States to strengthen their media freedom policies and legislation. The MFC has also influenced state actors through diplo ... matic and advocacy efforts, maintaining high-level political attention on media freedom. Direct interventions, legal guidance, and engagement with embassy networks have contributed to journalist protection efforts at the local level. Furthermore, the MFC has strengthened multi-stakeholder coordination, bringing together governments, civil society, and legal experts. However, the evaluation also identified several areas for improvement. While the MFC provides a platform for dialogue and cooperation, its engagement with members on domestic media freedom policies is voluntary and lacks a structured approach for supporting and tracking commitments. Joint advocacy statements have a greater impact locally than internationally and are often perceived as lacking boldness and clear outcomes. While the MFC has addressed high-profile cases, its focus has sometimes overshadowed broader, systemic media freedom challenges. Engagement with Rights-Holders and organisations working on the ground has been limited, impacting the relevance and sustainability of its strategies. Coordination and collaboration within the MFC are foundational, particularly through diplomatic networks and the development of emergency visa schemes. However, decision-making is often reactive, affecting stakeholder trust. The MFC’s membership is perceived as predominantly Northern-led, and there is potential to leverage its diverse membership more effectively. Knowledge management and information-sharing need strengthening to ensure a deeper understanding of media freedom issues among Member States. The high-level legal expertise of the HLP is underutilised. Clarity around decision-making processes among Member States varies, influencing trust-based collaboration. While engagement at the local level through embassies is effective, it requires more structured guidance and support. Coordination between Member States, the CN, and the HLP remains limited in some areas. In terms of sustainability, the current governance model, particularly the annual rotation of Executive Group co-chairs, can present challenges for knowledge retention and continuity. Funding modalities are complex, leading to perceptions of uneven distribution and impacting trust and coordination. While the MFC has developed working relationships with similar coalitions, more formalised collaboration could maximise resource efficiency. The limited engagement with Rights-Holders influences the visibility and perceived effectiveness of the MFC’s work." (Key findings and conclusions, pages 2-3) more

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UN Strategic Communications and the Protection of Civilians: The Role of UN Radio

Hannah Smidt, Marc Werner

New York: International Peace Institute (IPI); McGill University, Centre for International Peace and Security Studies (CIPSS); UN Department of Peace Operations (2025), 12 pp.

"Several UN peacekeeping operations communicate with the populations in their host state through radio, which remains the most popular medium in many countries. UN strategic communications via radio can help reduce violence against civilians, both during and after armed conflict. This protective eff ... more

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M20 Johannesburg Declaration: Media Summit urges global prioritisation of information integrity for the public good

M20 Media Integrity; South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF); Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) (2025), 11 pp.

"Our call on media and civil society – as well as other stakeholders such as independent information regulatory bodies and business entities, to act on: Information integrity -- Artificial Intelligence -- Media viability -- Safety -- Women and media -- Children, young people (teenagers) and margin ... more

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Peace is in the air: Reducing conflict intensity with United Nations peacekeeping radio broadcasts

Mahtab Shafiei, Kathryn Lauren Overton

Conflict Management and Peace Science, volume 41, issue 6 (2024), pp. 693-714

"Commitment problems and information asymmetries represent key impediments to peacekeeping. We posit that mass media—more specifically, United Nations (UN) peacekeeping radio broadcasts—is a cost-effective, easily implemented method of addressing common roadblocks to conflict resolution. We anal ... more

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Support to Afghan Media Resilience to Foster Peace and Security

Paris: UNESCO (2024), 14 pp.

"Since August 2021, almost 50% of media outlets have ceased their operations in Afghanistan. An estimated 90% of women journalists have lost their jobs, with many more media workers having fled the country or been forced into hiding. Replying to a call from over hundred anonymous journalists for con ... more

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L’immobilisation pour horizon. Fabrique et enjeux d’un instrument européen de dissuasion migratoire en Afrique de l’Ouest : les « campagnes d’information et de sensibilisation »

Julia Van Dessel

Bruxelles: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Doctoral Thesis (2024), 450 pp.

"Cette thèse porte sur les « campagnes d’information et de sensibilisation » sur la migration financées par l’Union européenne (UE) et ses États membres (EM) en Afrique de l’Ouest. Il s’agit d’un instrument de dissuasion migratoire, utilisé par l’UE depuis les années 1990, dont l ... e but est de freiner l’immigration irrégulière en tentant de décourager les « migrants potentiels ». A partir d’une perspective ancrée dans la sociologie politique et l’instrumentation de l’action publique, cette thèse s’intéresse à ces campagnes en tant qu’outil de gouvernement par lequel l’UE entre en contact avec les populations ouest-africaines pour tenter d’influencer, à distance, leurs aspirations et leurs comportements. Le point de départ de cette recherche est un paradoxe : depuis 2015, ces campagnes ont connu un essor sans précédent au sein de la politique migratoire européenne, alors que leur effet dissuasif demeure indémontré et contesté. Le premier enjeu de cette thèse est dès lors d’expliquer cet essor, en s’intéressant non pas à la réception de ces campagnes par leur public, mais au processus de fabrique collective de cet instrument, fait d’allers-retours entre l’UE et l’Afrique de l’Ouest. Le deuxième enjeu de cette thèse est ensuite de comprendre les effets de cet essor de l’instrument sur la politique migratoire européenne elle-même, en montrant la façon dont il influence la conduite de cette politique.Pour ce faire, cette thèse se base sur une enquête qualitative multi-située, qui permet d’appréhender ces campagnes à la fois depuis l’UE et depuis deux contextes prioritaires pour leur mise en œuvre, le Sénégal et le Niger. Les résultats de cette enquête montrent que l’essor politique de ces campagnes depuis 2015 est indépendant de leur efficacité dissuasive inconnue, mais s’explique par la capacité propre à cet instrument de répondre aux attentes divergentes et de servir les intérêts conflictuels des décideurs politiques européens, d’experts internationaux, et des nombreux utilisateurs de cet instrument en Afrique de l’Ouest. Ils montrent en outre que les enjeux liés à concrétisation de ces campagnes sur le terrain contribuent à transformer la politique migratoire européenne à trois niveaux. D’abord, ces campagnes présentées par l’UE comme un instrument visant à informer les migrants potentiels impliquent en réalité une entreprise de dissimulation de la dissuasion migratoire. Ensuite, elles témoignent d’une évolution des enjeux de la politique migratoire européenne, depuis une logique de prévention de l’immigration irrégulière, vers une logique d’immobilisation des populations. Enfin, elles incarnent l’émergence d’une nouvelle ambition politique, par laquelle l’UE revendique non plus seulement le monopole des moyens légitimes de circulation, mais également celui des idées légitimes que les citoyens africains peuvent formuler en matière d’im/mobilité." (Résumé) more

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L’immobilisation pour horizon. Fabrique et enjeux d’un instrument européen de dissuasion migratoire en Afrique de l’Ouest : les « campagnes d’information et de sensibilisation »

Julia Van Dessel

Bruxelles: Université Libre de Bruxelles, Faculté de Philosophie et Sciences Sociales, Thèse de Doctorat (2024), ?? pp.

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EU Funding in the Media: An Analysis of Journalism Projects Financed by the European Union

Nikolas Schäfer, Marius Dragomir

Tallinn; London: Media and Journalism Research Center (MJRC) (2024), 19 pp.

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Decisions taken at the 68th Bureau Meeting of the Intergovernmental Council of the International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC), 20-21 June 2024

Paris: International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) (2024), 10 pp.

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Communication for Development at the United Nations: A Theory-Guided Case Study of Development Communication and C4D Usage within the UN

Leakim Jimi-Hendrik Eventhén

Malmö: Malmö University, Communication for Development, Master Thesis (2024), 50 pp.

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Getting There Together: A Synthesis of Inter-Agency Programme Evaluations on SDG 5

Ross Tanner, Carol Boender, Paola Vela

New York: UN Women; UNDP; UNFPA; UNICEF; World Food Programme (WFP) (2024), 32 pp.

"The evaluations point to several dimensions of the strategic significance of joint work. Programmatically, joint programmes enable a more multidimensional and holistic approach to addressing gender inequality. They enhance the catalytic role of the UN by increasing the visibility of and advocacy on ... more

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EU Funding Opportunities: News Media Organisations

European Commission (2024), 4 pp.

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United Nations Activities on Artificial Intelligence (AI) 2023

Geneva: ITU (2024), xviii, 366 pp.

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Governing AI for Humanity
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High-level Advisory Body on Artificial Intelligence

United Nations (2024), 100 pp.

"This report outlines a blueprint for addressing AI-related risks and sharing its transformative potential globally, including by: urging the UN to lay the foundations of the first globally inclusive and distributed architecture for AI governance based on international cooperation; proposin ... more

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The Mediation of Sustainability: Development Goals, Social Movements, and Public Dissent

Ben Harbisher (ed.)

Lanham; Boulder; New York; London: Rowman & Littlefield (2023), 250 pp.

"This book examines the way in which SDG initiatives have been disseminated by mainstream media, in government discourse and by NGO’s, charitable organisations, and campaign groups. It questions to what extent sustainability narratives are being supported and how they are represented; how saving t ... more

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Global Media Defence Fund

Paris: UNESCO (2023), 11 pp.

"The Global Media Defence Fund (“the Fund”) is a UNESCO Multi-Partner Trust Fund/Programme developed with the goal of enhancing media protection and improving the access of journalists to specialized and gender-sensitive legal assistance. Administered by UNESCO, the Fund was established thanks t ... more

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Meta-Synthesis of UN Women Evaluations on Advocacy and Communications

Ekaterina Dorodnykh, Soo Yeon Kim, Aileen Allen

New York; Independent Evaluation Service (IES): UN Women (2023), ix, 32 pp.

"This meta-synthesis collates evaluation insights and evidence on the advocacy and communications efforts related to the key results areas of UN Women’s Strategic Plan: Governance and Participation in Public Life; Women’s Economic Empowerment; Ending Violence Against Women; and Women, Peace and ... more

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Report on the Visibility and Fundraising Strategy for IPDC

Paris: International Programme for the Development of Communication (IPDC) (2023), 11 pp.

"The IPDC Bureau at its 64th meeting (June 2020) requested the Secretariat to develop a targeted fundraising strategy in accordance with UNESCO’s overall fundraising strategy. It was first presented to the 32nd session of the Intergovernmental Council of the IPDC in November 2020. The Council then ... more

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Governing AI for Humanity
Deep Insights