Call for Proposals: Journalism Partnerships – Pluralism (2027)

• Eligibility: European intermediary organisations that set up and distribute funds
• Target Region: Europe
• Application language: English

This call supports intermediary organisations that set up and distribute funds to news media in sectors of particular relevance to democracy, such as local and regional media, community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news. Projects are expected to start towards the end of 2027 and last 24 months.

Eligibility

• 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 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.
  The funding schemes must focus on the European Union, and specifically on areas with low provision of the specific news described above, or in media markets where media pluralism is strained.
• Funding schemes should target news media sectors of special relevance to democracy and civic participation, characterised by their 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; and organisations delivering public interest news/public service journalism (such as community, legal and civic journalism and media, news increasing transparency about the media).

Requirements

• Setting up a funding scheme for media organisations is compulsory.
• The maximum co-financing rate is 90% of the total eligible costs, so applicants need to co-finance their projects (but their grantees should not be required to co-finance).
• The funds can focus on activities that contribute to transforming the work of targeted parties, for instance innovations in editorial production, news coverage and revenue models; improvement of distribution and dissemination of news; audience development and engagement and community-building strategies; development of technical tools; and training on these topics.
• Applicants can also propose accompanying activities to the fund (development of standards, indicators, repositories of knowledge, legal advice, trainings, etc).

How to Apply

Submit your proposal directly online via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System before 04/02/2027. Paper applications are not accepted. Proposals will be evaluated in spring, and results communicated in summer 2027. Apply here.

For more information, please visit this page.