How the toolkit was made

Methodology for the development of this Toolkit.

This Toolkit is based on consultations, interviews, and research conducted with donors, practitioners, and media development organisations. It brings together operational insights from across the global media support community.

A consultation-driven process

Between May and July 2025, the Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) conducted:

• 3 focus groups with representatives from EU institutions, Member States, and partner organisations

• 15 structured interviews with senior experts from public institutions, civil society, and academia

All discussions followed the Chatham House Rule, allowing participants to share candid perspectives, including on politically sensitive issues.

Insights, examples, and experiences from these consultations have been integrated throughout the Toolkit. All contributions are anonymised to protect participants and ensure that findings reflect shared challenges rather than individual positions.

Grounded in sector evidence and practice

The Toolkit builds on existing research, policy frameworks, and collective learning from the media development field, including the OECD Development Co-operation Principles.

Consultations and research highlighted recurring challenges in donor support to media and the information environment, including:

• Limited institutional understanding of media development

• Short-term and fragmented funding approaches

• Weak coordination across donors and programmes

• Barriers to local ownership and leadership

• Gaps in evidence, research, and learning

These findings are consistent with broader sector analysis and reinforce the need for more coherent and sustained approaches to media support.

From principles to practical guidance

While the OECD Principles provide a shared framework for donor engagement, consultations confirmed a gap between high-level commitments and operational practice.

This Toolkit addresses that gap by translating the Principles into practical guidance tailored to different roles and institutional functions.

Alignment with ongoing processes

The Toolkit is aligned with ongoing efforts within the Team Europe Democracy (TED) Network and the wider international community, including:

• Work on strengthening coordination and funding approaches for media support

• Ongoing monitoring and implementation of the OECD Principles

• Collaboration with donor networks and multilateral initiatives

An evolving resource

The Toolkit is intended to remain adaptive and responsive.

It will be updated over time to reflect:

• User feedback

• Emerging evidence and research

• Changes in policy and operational contexts

Ongoing engagement with practitioners and institutions will help ensure that the Toolkit continues to support effective, coordinated, and context-sensitive media support.