Commission makes €13.8 million available for cross-border journalism partnerships and pluralism

Part of the funding comes via a call to fund journalism collaborations and support news media partnerships across borders. It aims to boost the resilience of the European news media sector as it faces multiple challenges, including the financial sustainability of professional journalism. The available budget for this call is €6.9 million, with a maximum of €2 million per two-year project.  

The second dimension of the call supports media pluralism and is open to organisations that can act as intermediaries to set up and distribute funding to local and regional media, community media, investigative journalism, or media specialised in public interest news. The available budget for this call is €6.9 million, with a maximum of €2.5 million per two-year project.  

With readers shifting to online news sources, traditional media struggle, jeopardising many smaller, independent media organisations. Support is thus needed for them to improve their position, adapt their methods, continue providing a first-hand source of original reporting to citizens, help keep decision-makers accountable and ultimately contribute to a more diverse and independent media sector.  

Both calls remain open until 4 February 2026.

Building societal resilience, supporting media literacy and independent journalism is part of the Commission’s wider effort to empower Europeans to make informed decisions and to participate actively in democratic processes. It will also be a central part of the upcoming European Democracy Shield, as announced in the 2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen. 

Read more about the Creative Europe Programme. and other EU funding opportunities for the news media sector.