Multimedia actions - support for news on EU affairs

The Multimedia Actions correspond to a yearly budget that the EU distributes among media to make sure that citizens have access to independent information about European topics. This is necessary as decisions at EU level have an impact on people’s life yet are complex and often underreported by media. The Multimedia Actions thus help ensure citizens are aware of the decisions taken by the EU institutions and of other topics that affect them at European level. The supported media have their independence contractually guaranteed, so that they can work without interference.

The Commission publishes annual financing decisions, constituting the annual work programme for the implementation of Multimedia Actions.

Currently, the following types of actions receive support:

• Pan-EU audiovisual reporting
• EU audio reporting
• EU digital reporting
• European media hubs

Following the mid-term evaluation (PDF) of Multimedia Actions, several actions were finetuned. Among others, actions prioritise in-depth programming over short news, incentivising projects to focus on languages/markets in which pluralism can improve and on underserved audience groups.

The 2026 Financing Decision on Multimedia Actions allocates €21,1 million to pan-European reporting, digital reporting and audio reporting.

Pan-European reporting

This action aims to enhance the quantity, quality and impact of independent audiovisual (AV) reporting on EU affairs by pan-European media outlets in as many languages and EU member states as possible. This includes delivering content on EU affairs in areas where such content is scarce (for example, through an AV news service in Hungarian).

Following an open call for proposals in 2025, four projects were selected, including projects by Euronews and Eastern Flank EU Reporting, a project by 9 media across Europe.

EU audio reporting

This action aims to stimulate innovative reporting on EU affairs using multiple audio formats, whether through traditional or digital stations and platforms. It encompasses the production and dissemination of audio programmes on EU affairs by European media, both on air and/or on digital platforms.

Following an open call for proposals in 2024, Euranet Plus has been awarded a two-year grant for 2025 and 2026. Under this agreement, each of the 15 radio stations from the network produce and broadcast at least 10 minutes per week of content that explain EU affairs to their listeners through multiple viewpoints.

EU digital reporting

This action aims to support trusted, shared EU public spaces online, where Europeans can access information and take part in pluralistic debates, overcoming language barriers.

Following an open call for proposals in 2024, two projects were selected, including The European Correspondent NextGen and AskEurope.

European media hubs

Every two years, the Commission also invites applicants to join efforts and come with new ideas to increase the curation, production and circulation of professional news content and non-fictional programming (e.g. documentaries) on EU affairs through media hubs.

In 2023, following a call for proposals, support worth €8 million was granted to three projects, which closed in early 2026. A new call for proposals, worth €7.4 million, was published for projects to start in early 2026. Results of the call are available.
 

This action is part of the News Initiative