Content production grants for small media in the Western Balkans

• Eligibility: small-scale Balkan news outlets
• Target region: Western Balkans
• Application language: Multiple

Are you a small media outlet in the Western Balkans that is passionate about producing high-quality, independent journalism? The SMS Facility project invites applications for its small grants for media content production scheme, offering financial support of up to 7,000 EUR per outlet.

The financial support provided through this public call aims to enhance the overall quality and professionalism of media content production in local and small media outlets across the Western Balkans. It aims to promote investigative and in-depth journalism that addresses critical local and regional issues, while also encouraging the creation of multimedia content, such as videos, podcasts, and digital storytelling, to enhance audience engagement.

The initiative supports fact-based, ethical journalism as a powerful tool to counter disinformation and media manipulation.

Eligibility

• Applicants must be based within one of the eligible countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, or Serbia), preferably outside of large urban centers;
• Applicants must be legally registered as a small media company or CSO owning a media outlet;
• Applicants must have had less than 100,000 EUR turnover and fewer than seven employees in 2025;
• Applicants must be registered by December 31, 2025
• Applicants must have a publicly available Impressum
• Applicants must register on the Journalift community platform and complete MOVAT self-assessment questionnaire.

How to apply

Applicants must submit the completed Project Proposal Form, Budget, and supporting documentation via email (see more in the full call guidelines below). All documents must be sent in PDF format. Applications sent by other means will not be considered. Apply here.

For more information, please visit this site.