Francomenz

Global Voices has two key arms that are doing magnificent work. Rising Voices, which handles citizen media outreach, is now accepting project proposals for microgrant funding of up to US $5,000 for worthwhile media outreach projects.

The idea is to fund projects that teach citizen media techniques to communities that need to be heard, but do not have the tools at their disposal to learn about blogging, video-blogging, and podcasting on their own. If you have an idea for such a project, start working on your proposal now – the deadline for submission is January 18th.

Previous projects have accomplished wonderful results – check out a few of them here, including the awesome FOKO from Madagascar, Colombia’s HiperBarrio, Nari Jibon, Repacted from Kenya, Voces Bolivianas and an outstanding initiative from Jamaica called Prison Diaries.

Rising Voices is changing the world – and the blogosphere – one project at a time. The next project could be yours, so get busy! Apply here and apply now!

In a world riddled by division and intolerance, there is an ever-evolving, shining example of how we can actually live. Global Voices. Started as a simple blog in 2005, GV is now a global family of more than 150 active volunteer authors and translators and more than 20 part-time regional and language editors. GV stories can now be read in a whopping 21 different languages and the organisation also does sensational work in advocacy and in extending the reach of citizen media to communities that most desperately need to be heard.

I became part of the Global Voices online community in 2006 and still never cease to amazed by the stories we cover, the voices we amplify and the bridges we help to build, simply by being committed to the concept of constructive discussion.

For all of us who have benefited from GV’s clear and reliable coverage in order to better understand global issues, it’s our turn to help. To keep the conversation going, Global Voices needs donations and they’ve made contributing very easy – just follow the instructions here.

I do hope that you’ll donate to this worthy and important cause. I know I will.