The European Union launches 2 media support initiatives of 5 and 6 million euros

On October 25, 2023, the European Union launched 2 media support initiatives. The first one focuses on cross-border collaborations, with a budget of up to 6 million euros. The second initiative is dedicated to local/regional media, investigative and public interest journalism. The budget available in this case is up to 5 million euros. Budgetary limits are cumulative for all of Europe. The deadline for submitting proposals for both projects is February 14, 2024.

The call for cross-border proposals and collaboration between news media organizations focused on innovative business models and/or journalistic projects comes in the context of multiple challenges facing the European news media sector. Partly as a result of the shift to the digital age, the financial sustainability of professional journalism is under pressure. This program aims to help independent media become more sustainable and resilient, in particular by supporting cross-border media collaborations.

Transnational consortia of media organizations are invited to join efforts to promote media transformation, reliable reporting and skills for media professionals, for example by developing media production standards, new models of business, new types of newsrooms and journalistic formats, exchange of best practices, etc.

The available budget is 6 million euros. Each project will be awarded a maximum of 2 million euros. The maximum co-financing rate is 80% of the total eligible costs. This means that applicants must come up with their co-financing.

The second call for news of particular relevance to democracy (such as local/regional media, independent and investigative journalism and public interest news) comes to encourage independent media to help promote respect for core principles of media freedom, pluralism and civic participation.

Through this call for proposals, experienced media organizations will be able to establish and distribute funds to news media entities in media sectors particularly relevant to democracy, such as local and regional media, community media, investigative journalism or media specializing in public interest news.

The budget available in this case is up to 5 million euros. Each project can request up to 3 million euros. The maximum co-financing rate is 90% of the total eligible costs. This means that applicants must co-finance their projects. The request for proposals is available here.