The call is now closed and applications under evaluation.
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 specialized in public interest news.
The available budget totals EUR 5 million. Each project cannot request more than EUR 3 million. The maximum co-financing rate is 90% of the total eligible costs. This means that applicants need to co-finance their projects.
This opening is one of the two topics launched this year under the Journalism Partnerships. For information on the other topic (which calls for cross-border media collaborations), please click here.
This call for proposals is available here.
Replay the info session and/or download the presentation (6 December 2023)
Creative Europe Desks organise a pitching session on 10 January 2024. Interested applicants can register to participate as pitcher or observer.
Basic information
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 the 14th February. Proposals will be evaluated in the first quarter of 2024, and results communicated in July 2024 (tentative date). Projects are expected to start towards the end of 2024 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 for playing a 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 cover at least 4 EU countries and should focus on areas with low provision of news and/or media markets where 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:
- 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 may find all the official documents about the call published in the Tender and Funding Opportunities Portal.
- 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 6 December 2023 from 11:00 to 12:00 (Brussels time) to present the call and reply to your questions.
- You can address your questions to the following email address: EACEA-CREATIVE-EUROPE-JOURNALISM-PARTNERSHIPS@ec.europa.eu.
How to submit an application?
- All proposals must be submitted directly online via the 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 here to automatic updates on DG CNECT’s website.