1/ Reporter Without Borders (RSF)

Founded in 1985, Reporters sans frontières (RSF) defends the right to reliable information. Its mandate is based on article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states that: "Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers".

RSF strives to ensure that all human beings benefit from information that enables them to know, understand and form an opinion on the issues facing the world and their environment. To achieve this, the organisation is developing a holistic strategy, with 360° activities, to bring about global change. RSF acts on four levels: press freedom, relations between the public and journalists, the information market and the information space.

RSF also demonstrates creativity by developing systemic initiatives that address the causes of problems: the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI) and the Partnership on Information and Democracy (I&D). 

RSF has an international secretariat in Paris, thirteen sections and offices around the world, more than 150 correspondents, 4 representatives and local partners in a wide range of countries. RSF is a registered association in France and has consultative status with the United Nations and UNESCO.

2/ Context of the project 

Access to free, reliable and independent information is a fundamental right and Reporters Without Borders (Reporters sans frontières - RSF) fights for the power of journalism to shape societies and promote transparency and accountability. RSF has been involved for years in exposing Russian propaganda. As RSF’s World Press Freedom Index highlights, the Russian state is pursuing its crusade against journalism, with almost all independent media banned, blocked and/or declared “foreign agents” or “undesirable organisations” and all others subject to military censorship. Throughout the last 25 years of Vladimir Putin’s regime, Russians have been subjected to a non-stop barrage of propaganda from all media sources. A systematic suppression of freedom of expression has occurred within Russia and the neighbouring states, engendering an alternative reality media universe. Since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in February 2022, the lockdown on independent media has worsened, rendering it virtually impossible for Russians to access reliable information. A war of information happens daily alongside the physical conflict, both in broadcasting media and on social platforms, as Russia projects a message of aggression against Ukraine and against the West, inciting hatred and spreading misinformation.

At a time when the level of censorship of journalists and media is unprecedented in Russia since the fall of the Soviet Union, civil society and independent media in exile have rallied to combat propaganda and find innovative and different solutions to ensure that populations in the region have access to alternative voices. To lead this fight, RSF has stepped up its efforts to create the concrete conditions for the circulation of free, pluralistic independent news and information in the region (JX Fund, Collateral Freedom).

Given the intensification of the Russian government's actions and measures to prevent the spread of reliable information and strengthen the grip of propaganda and disinformation campaigns, it was necessary to develop new ambitions and innovative solutions that are aimed more broadly at the Russian audience and public in the region, which are deprived of access to alternative, independent and pluralistic information. To meet this objective, the Svoboda Satellite Project, a package of mainly Russian-speaking television and radio channels run by independent media in exile, was launched in March 2024. Svoboda, which means "freedom" in Russian, represents a significant step forward in the quest for unrestricted access to information in a region where media freedom faces numerous challenges. This ambitious initiative intends to reverse the logic of propaganda. With the Svoboda project, the aim is to provide an alternative source of information, give access to exiled media content and ensure media pluralism for the people in Russia and in the region.

3/ The project 

Title : Svoboda Satellite Project, bringing free, alternative and trustworthy information to the people in Russia and neighbouring countries

Donor : European Union (DG Connect) + RSF

Duration : 1 November 2024 - 31 October 2026 (2 years implementation period).

Budget : 2 599 868,29€. 

Target countries : Russia and neighbouring countries. 

Target groups : 

• Russian media outlets in exile ;
  
• International media who are no longer able to access audiences in Russia and the neighbouring countries ;
  
• Russian people living in Russia ;
  
• People (including but not limited to Russian-speaking people) living in the neighbouring countries ;
  
• Russian diaspora living anywhere abroad across the world.
  

The Svoboda Satellite Project aims to ensure the free flow of alternative, pluralistic and independent media information in countries subject to intense propaganda. The project, a pioneering initiative, aims to provide an alternative source of information and ensure media pluralism. The project aims to provide independent journalists and media outlets, particularly those working in exile, the technical means to broadcast their content effectively in Russia and neighbouring countries. In order to reverse the logic of propaganda, and based on the independent media in exile, the project operates an independent and diverse package of TV channels distributed via direct-to-home satellite. 

The project has two specific objectives : 

Specific objective 1 : Operate an independent and diverse TV channels package distributed via direct-to-home satellite.

Specific objective 2 : Expand the access to independent, alternative and pluralistic information for audiences in Russia and in the neighbouring countries. 

The project is organised into three work packages which includes tasks : 

Work Package 1: Project management and Coordination

• Task 1.1 : Grant management and project coordination
  
• Task 1.2 : Governance
  
• Task 1.3 : Audit and evaluations
  

Work Package 2: Deployment of the technical means to ensure the access to independent, alternative and pluralistic information in Russia and in the region

• Task 2.1 : Content identification and selection
  
• Task 2.2 : Content formatting and packaging
  
• Task 2.3 : Playlist development
  
• Task 2.4 : Satellite distribution
  

Work Package 3: Communication and dissemination

• Task 3.1 : Dissemination strategy
  
• Task 3.2 : Outreach towards the final beneficiaries
  

4/ Objectives of the impact assessmen

RSF reserves the right to make small changes to the content of these ToR after their publication. If changes have to be made, they will be discussed during the inception phase of the assessment.

The main objective of the impact assessment is to determine how many households are reached by RSF's Svoboda satellite package and are watching the channels. The other objective of the assessment is to have a global overview of RSF’s Svoboda satellite impact. Some impact that could be studied are the following : 

• Impact on the channels and content providers which benefit from the project to be able to broadcast their contents in countries or areas where they would normally be banned or restricted. 
  
• Impact of the project communication on social media (Telegram, LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok).
  
• Impact of the channels on streaming applications, (UVOtv, Kartina, etc)
  
• Impact of the Youtube channel. 
  
• Impact of working with pay TV platform and streaming services
  
• Impact on helping partners reach their global audiences, (Current Time, DW, RFI).
  
• Impact in the press (press releases about Svoboda, interviews, etc.). 
  

The aim of this call for proposals is to find consultants who can offer innovative solutions to meet this objectives, taking into account the following elements and limits: 

• It is not possible to calculate by technical means the number of people watching the Svoboda package through the satellite. 
  
• RSF is listed as an “undesirable organisation” in Russia. Anyone cooperating with listed "foreign organisations" or helping to fund them in Russia can be subjected to administrative prosecution and fined. Repeat offences may lead to criminal prosecution punishable by up to five years in prison. Even the slightest reference to such an organisation or sharing its posts is enough to trigger these prosecutions. 
  
• It is not possible to contact people in Russia without exposing them to excessive risk. 
  

Stakeholders who can be involved in the impact assessment are :

• RSF Project officer 
  
• RSF Projects Director
  
• RSF Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk 
  
• Director of the Svoboda project and his technical support team (external consultant) 
  
• Channel editor consultant 
  
• Marketing sales consultant 
  
• Representatives of channels 
  
• Content providers 
  
• Eutelsat
  
• The company in charge of doing the uplink to the satellite 
  

All the documents required for the assessment will be made available to the consultants after the signature of the contract.

5/ Deliverables

The expected deliverables includes : 

An inception report that will form the basis for the impact assessment process and shall be approved by RSF before starting to implement the assessment. The inception report should be written in English. The report will include: 

• An updated work plan and timeline based on the documentation review and the kick-off meeting. 
  
• Updated methodology and data collection tools 
  
• A list of stakeholders who will be contacted. 
  

A final report (including draft reports for comments and review by RSF). The format of the final report will be decided during the inception phase based on the methodology chosen. Additional documents to the final report may be proposed as part of the methodology in the response to the terms of reference. 

6/ Budget

The maximum budget available for this impact assessment is €35,000 all taxes included. This amount must include all the costs required to carry out the impact assessment.

The assessment can be carried out remotely or the evaluators can decide to carry out field mission(s), with the prior agreement of RSF. In the event of mission(s), the costs must be part of the total budget and the consultants will be required to arrange the logistics including any necessary security arrangements. 

7/ Calendar

The impact assessment consultancy mission is scheduled to start at the end of January 2026. 

RSF will need the results of the impact assessment as soon as possible. The impact assessment must be finalised and the final report approved by RSF by the end of May 2026 at the latest. 

As part of their proposal, consultants are expected to submit a timetable. The timetable must allow for a certain degree of flexibility. 

8/ Consultant qualifications

For this assessment, RSF is seeking to recruit a team of consultants. Preference will be given to the team with the most relevant expertises and experiences, and that proposes the methodology that best meets the objectives.

The following skills will be sought : 

• Expertise in media ecosystem ;
  
• Knowledge of the Russian and regional media ecosystem ;
  
• Knowledge of television ecosystems and technology, including satellite. 
  
• Fluent spoken and written English and Russian. 
  

9/ Submission of the offer and selection

Team of consultants interested in the impact assessment should include the following documents in their application: 

• A technical proposal detailing the understanding of the assessment stakes, the proposed methodology, as well as the implementation schedule considered.
  
• CVs describing education and experience.
  
• A list describing previous assessment/consultancies. Please give details of similar contracts: donor and organisation that implemented the project, budget and duration of the project concerned, budget and duration of the assessment/consultancy, main results, etc.
  
• A detailed financial  proposal (estimate) with the total budget all taxes included.
  

Proposals must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications will not be considered. 

Full applications must be sent by email to the following addresses before 07/01/2026 at 9.00 a.m (Paris time, CET) : 

Charlie Troncy, MEAL officer: ctroncy@rsf.org 

Cléa Monier, Project officer : cmonier@rsf.org 

The interviews with pre-selected applicants could be organised in January 2026.