The European Commission's DG Connect manages Multimedia Actions that aim at engaging citizens in the EU policy-making process by providing them with information about European topics from pan-European points of view i.e. showing more than only a national perspective. Support is given for the production and dissemination of information and content, while respecting complete editorial independence, guaranteed through a special clause in all grant agreements
As part of the Multimedia Actions, this Call is open to news media organisations that can build on quality reporting of radio broadcasters across the Union, while making best use of digital technologies and formats such as podcasting. Expected results include weekly, high-quality, editorially independent audio formats, that provide an in-depth and diverse view on EU affairs in as many EU languages as possible.
Applicants should ensure coverage in at least 6 EU languages, through a network of at least 4 members. They should propose a programming grid with at least 10 minutes of original content per member and per language per week, with in-depth coverage of current EU affairs through magazines, reports, documentaries and/or talks shows, thus excluding news bulletins and press reviews.
Network members will share editorial responsibility. They will draw up editorial guidelines, monitor compliance by a joint editorial board, and involve an independent subcontractor to assess the editorial quality and European perspective of the produced content on a regular basis.
As a minimum, applicants must ensure that these programmes jointly reach at least 1 million unique listeners each month (via radio and digital channels) and 200.000 unique digital visitors on average per month.
To reach the widest possible audience and ensure openness towards other potentially interested media organisations, the network should ensure (re)broadcasting or republishing of content by 25 non-member media.
Proposals are expected to cover 12 months and start in January 2022.
The Commission expects to fund one proposal, with up to EUR 2.2 million, representing up to 95% of the total eligible costs.
Applications must be printed, signed, and sent on Tuesday 14 September 2021 at the latest.
Please remember that each applicant is required to send an e-mail before the deadline to inform the Commission about the submission on paper.
Questions for this call should be sent to cnect-multimedia-actions@ec.europa.eu at the latest on 7 September. All questions and answers will be published, anonymously, on this page.
For more details, please see the Multimedia Actions webpage and the Annex of the latest Financing Decision (2021)