U.S. AMBASSADORS ANNOUNCE $200,000 INTERNET COMPETITION FOR REGIONAL NEWSPAPERS

U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Carlos Pascual and the U.S. Assistance Coordinator for Europe and Eurasia, Ambassador William Taylor, announced today a new $200,000 grant competition to expand Internet capacity for regional newspapers.

The nationwide competition seeks to fund up to 25 grants for independent, non-governmental newspapers throughout Ukraine to establish new Internet connections or to upgrade existing news and information websites. The grants will cover the cost of computer equipment and software, an Internet connection, training and online charges.

The Internet competition is being conducted within the framework of the U.S. Embassy’s Media Development Fund in cooperation with the International Research & Exchanges Board's (IREX) ProMedia program. The Media Fund, which was established earlier this year, is designed to address a number of pressing concerns in Ukraine’s current media environment, including the expansion of the Internet as a news and information tool.

Information about the competition, including eligibility guidelines, instructions and an application, is available on U.S. Embassy web site and on the IREX ProMedia website www.ipc.kiev.ua. Applications can be submitted by regular mail to IREX ProMedia or by e-mail to inet@usinfo.usemb.kiev.ua. The application deadline is January 31, 2002.