Brief Information
Journalism Partnerships 2026 is a major European Union funding opportunity supporting cross-border and collaborative journalism projects across Europe. Launched under the Creative Europe Programme, this call aims to strengthen the sustainability, innovation, and resilience of the European news media sector. Selected projects can receive up to €2 million in grant funding, covering up to 80% of eligible project costs.
This is the 6th annual call targeting media organisations that wish to collaborate across borders on innovative business models, newsroom structures, journalistic formats, and high-quality reporting.
Key Dates & Details
- Call Name: Journalism Partnerships – Collaborations (2026)
- Application Deadline: 4 February 2026
- Project Start: End of 2026
- Project Duration: 24 months
- Total Budget: €6.9 million
- Grant per Project: Up to €2 million
- Co-financing Rate: Max 80%
- Programme: Creative Europe – MEDIA
- Type: Cross-border collaborative grant
- Application Method: Online only
Table of Contents
Overview
The Journalism Partnerships 2026 call responds to the growing challenges facing the European news media sector, particularly those related to digital transformation, declining revenues, and sustainability pressures. The European Commission aims to address these challenges by supporting transnational collaborations that enhance innovation, quality journalism, and media pluralism.
Funded projects are expected to deliver sector-wide impact, not only benefiting participating organisations but also strengthening journalism ecosystems across Europe. Proposals may focus on business innovation, content collaboration, technology development, or skills enhancement for media professionals.
This call is specifically designed for collaborative consortia, encouraging the exchange of best practices, shared infrastructures, and innovative newsroom models that would be difficult to implement by individual organisations alone.
Eligible Countries
Projects must involve partners from countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme.
Eligible countries include:
EU Member States
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
Non-EU Creative Europe Countries
- Albania
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Georgia
- Iceland
- Kosovo*
- Liechtenstein
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Serbia
- Ukraine
(*Kosovo under UNSCR 1244)
✅ Partners must come from at least 3 different eligible countries.
Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include organisations, not individuals.
Eligible entities:
- Written and online press organisations
- Radio and podcast producers
- Television and audiovisual news media
- Media associations
- NGOs active in journalism and media freedom
- Journalism funds
- Training organisations for media professionals
❌ Natural persons are not eligible, except self-employed journalists (sole traders) where no separate legal personality exists.
Consortium Requirements
To be eligible, proposals must:
- Include minimum 3 partners
- Represent at least 3 different eligible countries
- Demonstrate strong cross-border cooperation
- Aim for sector-wide impact, not limited to a single outlet
Consortia are strongly encouraged to involve as many media organisations as possible.
Scope & Supported Activities
Journalism Partnerships 2026 supports projects that may include:
Business & Sustainability
- Innovative revenue and monetisation models
- Audience development and community engagement
- Marketing and branding strategies
Journalistic Collaboration
- Cross-border investigative journalism
- Content syndication networks
- New editorial and newsroom models
Technology & Standards
- Development of shared platforms
- Common technical and professional standards
- Data and content exchange systems
Capacity Building
- Trainings, workshops, and mentoring
- Exchange programmes for journalists
- Development of editorial guidelines and toolkits
Financial support to third parties (grants or prizes) is allowed, subject to call conditions.
Application Details
- Submission Platform: EU Funding & Tenders Portal
- Submission Method: Online only (paper applications not accepted)
- Evaluation: Spring 2026
- Results Announcement: Summer 2026
Applicants are strongly advised to:
- Use the partner search tool in the portal
- Contact their national Creative Europe Desk for guidance
- Attend the Info Session (6 November, 11:00 CET)
FAQ
Can individual journalists apply?
No. Only organisations or self-employed journalists with sole trader status are eligible.
Is co-financing required?
Yes. The EU covers up to 80% of eligible costs; applicants must co-finance the rest.
Can projects focus on a single media sector?
Yes. Projects may target specific sectors (TV, radio, print, digital) or journalistic genres.
How many projects will be funded?
This depends on project size and quality, within the total budget of €6.9 million.
Official Links
👉 Official Call Page (EU Funding & Tenders Portal):
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal
👉 Creative Europe Programme Overview:
https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe
👉 Online Application System:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/home
👉 Call FAQ:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/faq
👉 Creative Europe Desks (National Support):
https://culture.ec.europa.eu/creative-europe/creative-europe-desks
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