“Support for freedom of expression is needed to ensure that the independent media sector can advocate more effectively as a community and that citizens recognize the value of a free press and demand access to high-quality, fact-based reporting, and mitigation mis- and disinformation. In response to this need, USAID created BMAP.”

“USAID launched the first iteration of BMAP in September 2017 with the objective of enhancing the professionalism and sustainability of media in
the Balkans region by working with renowned and promising news media outlets to improve their digital content quality, business processes, and collaboration.”

“The success of BMAP, which closed in July 2022, led to the launch of a second iteration of the program, titled Balkan Media Assistance Program to Foster Organization Readiness While Advancing Resilient Development (BMAP Forward), which launched in February 2022.”