Supporting local and regional news media in face of emerging news deserts

Local, regional and community media foster social cohesion and democracy. They increase trust, provide stories of relevance to local communities and ensure political accountability. New consumption habits and falling revenues are nonetheless challenging their business models, posing risks for citizens’ access to reliable and diverse information in certain areas. 

This new call for proposals is therefore designed to support innovation and long-term resilience in the local, regional and community media ecosystems as well as to increase understanding of the phenomenon of “media deserts”. 

Applicants will have to propose a media-funding scheme with a view to fostering the transformation and innovation capacities of media in at least 5 EU Member States and have a long-lasting impact for local, regional and community media as well as their communities. They will also have to map the local and regional news media landscape across the EU and identify existing or potential “media deserts”.

One project is expected to be selected, to start at the latest in March 2023 for duration of 15 to 18 months.

The maximum grant amount is €1,990,000, representing up to 90% of the total eligible costs.

Applications must be printed, signed, and sent by Monday 19 September 2022 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.

Further information:

• The call for proposals, application forms and all relevant documents are available below.
• Questions can be sent to CNECT-NEWSMEDIA@ec.europa.eu until 5 working days before the deadline.
• For an overview of other grant opportunities for news media, see updates on this page, the factsheet overview of March 2022 and/or join the webinar on Thursday 7 July 10h CEST.
• You can subscribe to receive automatic updates whenever articles related to media are publish on CNECT’s website.

(If reading in another language, consult the English original for call documents.)