Call for Proposals: Journalism Partnerships - Pluralism (2025)

Independent media play a crucial and valuable role in societies and contribute to upholding the essential principles of media freedom and pluralism and civic participation.

Through this call for proposals, organisations with experience in media will be able to set up and distribute funds to news media entities in media sectors of particular relevance for democracy, such as local and regional media, community media, investigative journalism or media specialised in public interest news.

The available budget totals EUR 5.2 million. Each project cannot request more than EUR 2.5 million. The maximum co-financing rate is 90% of the total eligible costs. This means that applicants need to co-finance their projects (but their grantees should not be required to co-finance).

This opening is one of the two topics launched this year under the Journalism Partnerships call for proposals. The other topic calls for cross-border media collaborations.

The conditions outlined below are based on the call. In case of discrepancy, the text in the call prevails.

What is the timeframe of this grant?

Applicants can send proposals until Thursday 27 February 2025. Proposals will be evaluated in spring, and results communicated in summer 2025. Projects are expected to start towards the end of 2025 for 24 months.

Who can apply to this grant?

The call relies on intermediary organisations active in the media domain. Financial support will be awarded to these organisations so that they can set up financing schemes for news media sectors in need. The call is thus open to entities such as media associations, NGOs, non-profit organisations, civil society organisations, public authorities, international organisations, universities, research centres, journalistic funds and training organisations focusing on media professionals, profitmaking entities, foundations, etc. Proposals may be submitted either by single applicants or by a consortium.

What is the scope of this grant?

Interested applicants are invited to set up and implement funding schemes for news media sectors of special relevance to democracy and civic participation, i.e. characterised by their role in enhancing democracy, shaping the public debate and bringing benefits to their audiences and communities, instead of focusing just on profit. These sectors include in particular:

• Local and regional media;
• Independent and investigative journalism;
• Organisations delivering public interest news/public service journalism (such as community, legal and civic journalism and media, news increasing transparency about the media).

The funding schemes must focus on the European Union, and specifically on areas with low provision of the specific news described above, or in media markets where media pluralism is strained.

What kind of activities can you propose?

Setting up a funding scheme targeting other media organisations is compulsory. The funds can focus on activities that contribute to transforming the work of targeted parties, for instance:

• Innovations in editorial production (for example formats, content), news coverage and revenue models;
• Improvement of distribution and dissemination of news;
• Development and engagement of audiences and community-building strategies;
• Development of technical tools applying to the above topics;
• Training on the above topics.

Applicants can also propose accompanying activities to the fund (development of standards, indicators, repositories of knowledge, legal advice, trainings, etc).

Where can I find more information?

• You can find all the call documents and further information under the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The page includes a section dedicated to partner search.
• This call for proposals is part of the Creative Europe programme. The programme has "desks" in every country that can provide help to applicants, providing information, helping get in touch with similar applicants to make sure the proposal becomes transnational and sector-wide and assisting you in the preparation of proposals. You are thus recommended to contact the Creative Europe desk in your country.
• An info session will be organised on Thursday 14 November 14:00-15:30 CET to present the call and reply to your questions (no registration needed, recordings will be available on the same page).

How to submit an application?

• All proposals must be submitted directly online via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Paper applications are not accepted.
• Online Manual
• Portal FAQ
• For technical questions, please contact the IT Helpdesk.

See also

• Discover the overview of the EU support to the news media sector.
• Subscribe to news updates on DG CNECT’s website.