Supported Initiatives Under the Call for Proposals: Enhancing Media Resilience and Quality News Journalism
| Name of the Organization | Country | Name of Submitted Proposal | Summary of Proposal | Funding Awarded (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economedia | BG | NextGen Resilience Initiative: Empowering Youth Through Trusted Journalism | Economedia, Bulgaria’s largest publisher with over 30 years of experience, plays a pivotal role in shaping public debate via flagship media brands Capital and Dnevnik. The project aims to address a challenge: young people are increasingly exposed to disinformation on social media, where unverified content shapes their perceptions. The project will establish a dedicated Youth Initiative channels on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook, posting at least 5 times/week per channel to engage young audiences and provide reliable, fact-checked news that empowers them to critically assess information. Specific goals include expanding the existing Youth Initiative, Academic Capital, from 1,700 to at least 5,000 subscribers by the end of 2026, increasing youth engagement by 15–20% while boosting mobile viewership by 25%. | 59,996.00 |
| The Manifold | EL | Breaking the silence? How Greek authorities treat abuse victims who dare to speak out | The Manifold is a team of journalists that specialises in long-term, in-depth investigations on complex social and human rights issues. It focuses on investigating the child protection system in Greece, expanding to issues of intra-partner violence. “Break the silence!” is a motto used by government authorities to encourage abuse victims to speak out against their abusers, but the victims are not protected by authorities. The proposal is to produce quality video podcast interviews, with survivors, professionals in the field and other experts, which will provide specific, factual insights into the way abuse victims are treated by authorities. The aim is to amplify survivors’ voices so that they can help others prepare for the challenges. | 39,777.00 |
| Institute Časoris | SI | Where TikTok meets truth | As Slovenia’s only online newspaper for children, it delivers real news in a language young people understand and trust. Casoris’s editorial approach is participatory: children contribute ideas, questions, and stories. The organization collaborates with teachers and parents, making the content a valued educational resource across Slovenia. This project Where TikTok meets truth is about a new wave of young reporters creating smart, scroll-stopping stories, which will transform Časoris’ storytelling for the social media age. The media will experiment with short-form videos, Gen-Z style explainers, and co-created stories with young people themselves. The result will be a growing community of young followers, and children who are better informed and more resilient to disinformation. | 36,347.00 |
| Faktograf – Association for the Informed Public | HR | Health Hazard: An Audience-First Approach in Combating Health Disinformation | Faktograf.hr is an independent media outlet, combating disinformation and promoting informational integrity with a strong track record in investigative reporting. The project tackles the spread of health-related disinformation, leading to restricted access to healthcare, discrimination, and particularly affecting vulnerable groups such as women, people with medical conditions and LGBTIQ individuals. The project will strengthen investigative reporting, enhance audience participation in editorial decisions, and use AI tools to monitor online disinformation. Collaborating with health and human rights NGOs, Faktograf will expose harmful narratives, debunk propaganda, and raise awareness through multimedia campaigns, ultimately boosting media resilience and public interest journalism. | 59,974.00 |
| Partizan Foundation | HU | Telling the Story of Hungary – Live Tour | Partizán is Hungary’s leading independent digital media platform, primarily hosted on YouTube. It prioritizes long-form video content with in-depth analysis, political debates, investigative documentaries, and audience-driven discussions. The initiative, Telling the Story of Hungary – Live Tour, aims to highlight crucial but underreported social issues—such as Roma segregation, economic disparities, and the education and healthcare crises. From September 2025, the media outlet will take their flagship programs on a live tour across Hungary, engaging directly with local communities in 15 towns and cities. To do this, it will invest in a small, dedicated fast-reaction studio for quick-turnaround content. The new setup will ease staff workload and allow timely coverage of breaking developments. In parallel, a fundraising campaign will target the digital audience to secure financial sustainability. | 59,998.00 |
| The Whole Story Publications Single Member S.A. | EL | Inside the Story: Youth Perspectives | Inside story (https://insidestory.gr) is the first (and only) digital, subscription-based, daily news site in Greece, focusing on investigative journalism and accessible explainers, independent research, and nuanced context often missing from mainstream narratives. It aims to address young Greeks’ disconnection from traditional media, low trust in journalism, and vulnerability to misinformation—issues intensified by the media crisis in Greece. The main publishing format is long-form articles on subjects not normally found on traditional media. In terms of geographical reach, the audience is primarily based in Athens and other major cities across Greece. The project seeks to bridge the gap between investigative reporting and audiences aged 18–30 by researching their content preferences, co-creating material with them and increasing their engagement, and launching targeted campaigns. The ultimate goal is to boost trust, engagement, and subscriptions from young readers. | 54,635.00 |
| Alhambra-Press Bt. / Hungarian Voice | HU | Migrate editorial system to an open-sourced platform | Magyar Hang is a national Hungarian news media outlet, operating as public interest media with print and digital products. The media portfolio includes the weekly print magazine, the hang.hu online news portal, the @magyarhang YouTube channel and Facebook page on Book publishing since 2023. It produces independent, centre-right political, social, and cultural content, focusing on Hungarian reality, corruption, rural life, and environmental issues. The initiative addresses the challenges of the current editorial system that hinders digital transformation, limits functionality, and increases costs. The project aims to transition to a Drupal-based architecture, resulting in a more flexible, scalable, and future-proof digital presence. Specific results include a fully operational Drupal system, improved integrations to CRM, ads provisioning, enhanced security and performance, and new features like audio content using AI text-to-speech. The expected impact includes increased website traffic, audio content consumption, user satisfaction, and a decrease in operational costs. | 59,934.00 |
| atlatszo.hu Public Benefit Nonprofit LLC. | HU | Follow the Story: Strengthening Investigative Journalism from Local Issues to National Impact | Átlátszó, a Hungarian investigative journalism platform, producing in-depth reporting on corruption, environmental damage, public procurement, and systemic injustice. Founded in 2011, it plays a watchdog role by holding powerful actors to account and promoting transparency in both local and national governance. The initiative addresses two key challenges: the growing disconnect between local communities and national public discourse, and the increasing difficulty of sustaining quality investigative journalism under political and economic pressure. Environmental harm and industrial overdevelopment often go unreported in the countryside, while misinformation and government-aligned narratives dominate many rural media channels. The project will produce over 30 investigative reports, 24 audiovisual stories, and 20 FOI-based investigations, making findings accessible to broad audiences. By enhancing digital storytelling, field reporting, and audience outreach, Átlátszó aims to strengthen public accountability, counter disinformation and the dominance of propaganda. | 59,806.00 |
| Ostro, Center for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region | SI | Building Resilience for Sustainability | Oštro is an online media outlet specializing in investigative and data journalism. It publishes original content in Slovenian, complemented by an English edition and also operates Slovenia’s fact-checking project, Razkrinkavanje.si. The goal of the project is to establish Oštro as a referential centre for investigative and data journalism by upgrading its newsroom, enhancing brand visibility, and expanding educational programs for more revenue. Plans include mentoring up to five young reporters through its Incubator, publishing investigative stories, modernizing its audiovisual identity, diversifying audiences, and renewing its membership program. The organization will also experiment with new formats and influencer partnerships. It will develop and test new revenue streams by expanding activities into media literacy and capacity building (min 10 workshops) to increase financial diversification and sustainability. | 45,973.00 |
| Pro Veritas Association | BG | Independent regional journalism in support of civic and media scrutiny in four of Bulgaria’s so-called “information deserts” | Pro Veritas, publisher of zaistinata.com, is a non-profit organization with a mission to support investigative regional journalism in Bulgaria and give voice to communities that are often invisible in national media. The initiative addresses a most urgent challenge in Bulgaria: the decline and marginalization of independent regional journalism. The project will respond with a solution: a shared online platform bringing together independent regional journalists investigating environmental degradation, misuse of EU funds, political corruption, and social injustice. Through technical support, editorial mentoring, and legal guidance, Pro Veritas will empower journalists to collaborate across regions, increase their reach, and produce impactful investigations. Producing at least 15 high-quality investigations per year, the platform will amplify local voices, increase public engagement, and strengthen the resilience and diversity of Bulgaria’s regional media landscape. | 55,598.00 |
| Anti-Corruption Fund Foundation | BG | WE CARE! Using quality journalism to engage vulnerable groups | Bulgaria’s Anti-Corruption Fund Foundation uses open-source intelligence and rigorous fact-checking to expose high-level corruption and judicial abuses. ACF shares its investigations with the public through engaging audiovisual, graphic, and written formats, primarily distributed via social media Targeting young and disengaged audiences (due to lack of trust in the government) on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, the project will create short-form video platforms, visually engaging content to raise awareness about corruption and promote democratic values among young viewers. Their three-step plan includes analyzing and designing most effective and engaging storytelling formats, conducting wide-reaching dissemination campaigns, and upgrading the ACF technical capacity to expand and improve production and reach. | 59,923.00 |
| Oštro, a center for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region | HR | Oštro’s Next Chapter: Strengthening Investigative Journalism in Croatia | Oštro, established in Croatia in 2022, focuses on investigative and data journalism, as well as cross-border investigative reporting. As a data journalism outlet and a member of cross-border journalism networks, Ostro (Croatia) attract readers interested in accountability and transparency across borders This project addresses three challenges: achieving financial sustainability and organizational autonomy, training junior investigative journalists (to counteract the current shortage), and producing more underreported investigative stories. Plans include hiring a full-time project manager for operations and fundraising, expanding its journalist Incubator, decentralizing training beyond Zagreb, and hiring a part-time communicator to manage outreach and membership. Freeing journalists from non-editorial tasks will allow them to create more impactful stories and experiment with formats like podcasts and short videos. | 54,123.00 |
| OFF MEDIA JSC | BG | The Big Picture: Complex Topics, Simple Facts | OFFnews is an independent national online news outlet known for fact-based reporting on social, political, and civic issues. The current project addresses Bulgaria’s low media literacy and high susceptibility to disinformation by producing clear, accessible content on complex topics like how the EU works, healthcare, and elections. These are usually oversimplified by disinformation narratives or distorted. The initiative will deliver 24 investigative articles, 24 expert podcasts, 24 AI-powered explainer videos, and 48 short videos tailored for social media, all in a dedicated branded section of the OFFNews site. Using interactive storytelling and platform-specific formats, it aims to reach over 400,000 people, enhance resilience to disinformation, improve civic knowledge, boost access to trustworthy information for vulnerable groups and strengthen trust in factual journalism. The model is designed to be scalable for other independent outlets in the region. Activities are tailored to different audiences and formats to ensure accessibility, engagement, and long-term visibility. | 56,840.00 |
| Pro News Bulgaria AD | BG | Creation of a mobile application for 24 chasa | Pro News Bulgaria AD is one of the largest media groups in Bulgaria, known for its leadership in print and digital media. The company owns 24 Chasa, a trusted independent news brand in Bulgaria according to Reuters (2024), while 24chasa.bg is the leading independent news website, attracting 27% of the online audience. To address high dependence on Google and social platforms for traffic, low monetization, and clickbait competition, it plans to launch a free mobile app for Android and iOS users. The app will target younger audiences while enhancing the reading experience for existing users, also offering reliable news and opportunities for targeted, high value advertising. Within five years, the platform aims to introduce a paywall to strengthen financial independence and sustainability. Additionally, the app is expected to broaden 24 Chasa’s overall audience reach by attracting new readers and increasing engagement across all platforms. The app will be available for free on Apple Store and Google Play, reaching 99% of mobile users in BulgariaA strong launch campaign will position the app as a prestigious and trusted news source nationwide. | 59,158.00 |
| Investor.bg JSC | BG | The Voice Of Facts | Bulgaria ON AIR is part of Investor Media Group, Bulgaria’s most diverse media company. Its portfolio includes two national TV channels (ON AIR and Bloomberg TV), two radio stations (Radio Bulgaria ON AIR and Antenna), 19 digital platforms, and the streaming service Investor Media PRO. Bulgaria ON AIR is one of the country’s four national TV broadcasters, known for high-quality, objective journalism across TV, radio, and digital platforms. The initiative addresses several challenges: low levels of media literacy, exposure to disinformation, and limited trust in traditional media. The project will create a monthly segment in the flagship program Direct focusing on disinformation, media literacy, and civic values. The plan includes hosting a televised national stakeholder debate and a public forum, fostering dialogue and accountability. A media literacy guide in comic-book format will be developed and distributed to schools and education partners. The impact will be increased awareness and resilience among vulnerable audiences, greater engagement between media and institutions, and the design of long-lasting educational tools. By leveraging the broadcaster’s national platform and digital reach, the initiative will ensure wide public access to inclusive, high-quality journalism empowering citizens to better navigate today’s complex information landscape. | 20,600.00 |
| Magyar Jeti Private Limited Company | HU | Next-gen Media: Studio & Podcast Development at Magyar Jeti Zrt. | Magyar Jeti (444) is one of the most prominent Hungarian independent online news outlets, known for its in-depth investigative reporting, opinion pieces, podcasts, long reads, and videos on significant political, and social issues. One of 444’s most outstanding features and competitive advantages is its strong, critical, and unique video content, which drives exceptionally high readership numbers. 444’s investigative video reportage is a very important independent source of information in Hungary’s increasingly shrinking public sphere. The aim of the project is to transform the studio and office space to be able to scale video content, especially to film multi-participant, studio-based indoor shows with fixed camera setups, permanent furnishings, and dedicated technical equipment. At least 3 shows/per week will be produced. The outlet will also enhance mobile app functionality for podcasts, allowing better user navigation and engagement. With a particular focus on the 2026 national elections, the project aims to increase reach, audience engagement, and strengthen 444’s brand as an independent news source. These efforts address infrastructural limitations and expand the outlet’s capacity to deliver high-quality investigative video content. | 33,000.00 |
| Toest Foundation | BG | Toest.bg Sustainability Project: Enhance, Expand, Engage | Toest.bg is an ad-free, independent online media recognized for its in-depth analysis, commentary, and interviews on public issues. The media primary content is text-based, but recently it has launched a successful video series on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. For seven years, it has built a strong reputation for high-quality, fact-checked journalism, recognized by both its audience and prominent public figures, leading journalists and editors. The project seeks to secure a sustainable income beyond donations and engage younger audiences who are not drawn to long-form text formats. Activities include adapting articles into weekly visual social media content, hosting monthly live author–reader discussions to build community and trust, producing a short documentary on aging with six community screenings. The project will also develop and pilot a crowdfunding strategy to support future productions. These efforts aim to make the outlet’s journalism more participatory, visible, and financially sustainable. The proposed initiative leverages the outlet’s editorial expertise, strong community ties, and proven integrity to amplify its impact and serve as a replicable model for sustainable, civic-minded media across the region. | 59.956.00 |
| Club Zebra Foundation | BG | Engaged Audiences, Sustainable Media: A 12-Month Initiative to Launch ClubZ’s Premium Editorial Hub | Foundation “Club Zebra” is an independent non-governmental organization and the publisher of the analytical media outlet “Club Z” (www.clubz.bg). The foundation is owned and managed by a journalistic team and it covers domestic and global politics, economics, culture, and sports. The initiative aims to establish a subscription-based platform offering premium long-form articles and multimedia content to ensure financial sustainability and editorial independence. Over 12 months, it will produce at least 40 articles and 12 multimedia pieces, aiming to cultivate a loyal paying subscriber base. To achieve this, the outlet will combine technical infrastructure (subscription system, paywall, analytics) with strong editorial output and active audience engagement. Through promotional campaigns, feedback tools, and subscriber-only events, it will build a loyal community invested in independent media. The project strengthens media resilience, diversifies revenue streams, and provides a model for other small independent outlets. | 49,450.00 |
| Szegeder.hu Foundation | HU | Strengthening Szegeder: Infrastructure, Innovation and Revenue for Sustainable Local Journalism | Szegeder is an independent online news outlet serving the Hungarian city of Szeged and the broader Southern Hungary region, with growing coverage of Hungarian communities in Romania and Serbia. The outlet produces a wide range of content formats including news, opinion pieces, investigative journalism, longform and narrative-driven articles, data journalism, and community reporting. Szegeder also faces challenges from lack of office space, an outdated website, and no dedicated sales professional. With this project, the outlet will establish a modern editorial office, improve its digital presence to elevate reader trust, and increase sales revenue through a new strategic approach. This will strengthen the outlet’s capacity to report on critical issues, from environmental threats to minority rights, and secure Szegeder’s future as a beacon of press freedom in southern Hungary. Szegederer will organize open editorial days, introduce technical upgrades developed in-house; and design a new sales strategy. These improvements aim to enhance team productivity, reader engagement, and financial sustainability. | 49,450.00 |
| 42 foundation | BG | The meaning | Foundation 42, initially an NGO, has transitioned into an independent online media organization running two podcast channels: “5 Stotinki”, focusing on civic and social issues, and “Channel 4”, a youth podcast lab promoting European and democratic values. The primary formats include long-form discussions, expert interviews, and analytical segments. The role of the outlet is to provide an alternative, credible information that educates and inspires young and active citizens. Our initiative addresses the need for accessible, fact-based civic content in a media landscape affected by disinformation. Their initiative aims to expand its audience by at least 10,000 new followers by accessible, fact-based content for digital audiences, aiming to counter disinformation and strengthen media literacy. The organization will produce 36 podcast episodes over nine months, collaborating with journalists and youth co-hosts. The project will develop a sustainable model through subscriptions and advertising and build an interactive community via social media and streaming platforms. It will strive to create a media initiative that educates, informs, and strengthens democratic values in Bulgaria. | 44,459.00 |
| TV1 Bulgaria EOOD | BG | TV1 Bulgaria – Trust, Truth and the European Perspective | TV1 Bulgaria is a national TV media outlet complemented by digital media, with a focus on independent public interest journalism, producing investigative reports, current affairs segments and socially relevant documentaries. The outlet focuses on key societal issues, accountability and stories that impact citizens on a national level. The proposed initiative aims to strengthen media resilience and public understanding by creating a new weekly rubric titled “Why Europe?” within the existing national television show “Uncomfortable with Bobi Vaklinov”. The initiative addresses disinformation, low awareness of EU policies and a growing disconnect between institutions and citizens. The project presents verified, clear and engaging content through traditional broadcasting and dynamic social media, tailored to young and general audiences. The outlet will produce 15–20-minute weekly TV segments and develop tailored social media content, ensuring wide outreach. The dual-channel approach maximizes visibility and accessibility, while the diverse professional team ensures quality and credibility. The initiative will reinforce trust in media, enhance public dialogue and contribute to a more democratic and resilient media environment in Bulgaria. | 40,000.00 |
| Institute Mojaleta.si | SI | Aging with Dignity: Monitoring Long-Term Care in Slovenia | MojaLeta.si is Slovenia’s leading online news portal for older adults, focusing on aging, healthy living, and senior rights. The outlet produces articles, interviews, news and E-mail newsletters for subscribers. MojaLeta.si also has a Facebook page Moja Leta with over 33,000 followers, offering free advice from experts in the fields of health, law, finance, and personal relations and psychology. The current initiative will monitor Slovenia’s long-term care reform and provide transparent information (by engaging seniors in debates), to empower seniors and their caregivers. Through advocacy and reporting, the outlet will promote collaboration between healthcare providers, families, and caregivers. The project includes creating accessible content, educational events, engaging older adults in public dialogue, and an AI-driven chatbot to help users access reliable information on reforms and allow them to report on potential violations. The project aims to improve public engagement, accountability, and coordination among stakeholders for better care quality. | 31,618.00 |
| Telegram media group | HR | AIM 4 TRUTH | Telegram is a leading Croatian news publisher recognized for its quality journalism, covering daily news and relevant societal, cultural and lifestyle topics. Telegram.hr is an online news outlet offering a wide range of content, from political articles and cultural stories to sports, health, and native marketing pieces. The outlet also creates engaging social media content, including visuals and short videos. The initiative will focus on three main activities: integrating a text-to-speech technological solution in their articles; launching audio production: the best performing articles and investigative stories will be read by their authors and developing new audio formats for a native audio podcast; finally, making content online more accessible to browser readers, the outlet will make an inventory of the entire visual archive and relabel it. By removing accessibility barriers, Telegram aims to increase civic engagement and political participation across a broader audience. The project will deliver more inclusive journalism while growing the podcast and audio-format audience. This ensures that all citizens, regardless of ability, can fully access trustworthy news. | 58,148.00 |
| Institute ZON.si | SI | ZONplay | ZON.si is an independent small regional media outlet from Slovenia’s mining region, Zasavje, covering local stories often overlooked by larger news organizations and producing daily news articles, photo stories, video reports, podcasts and vodcasts. Their initiative, ZONplay, will create a podcast and vodcast studio inside the newsroom to engage younger audiences while maintaining connection with the existing 55+ readership. The project addresses declining youth engagement, limited digital storytelling tools, and newsroom organization challenges. It aims to produce six locally-rooted episodes and modernize its newsroom operations. Through this, ZON.si strengthens community identity, inclusion, and democratic participation. | 47,958.00 |
| FYI NEWS SINGLE MEMBER SA | EL | Developing Resilience Through Content and Technological Initiatives | FYI NEWS SINGLE MEMBER SA is a digital news platform targeting younger audiences (ages 18–40) through social media, emphasizing transparency, objectivity, and fact-checking. The outlet’s content varies from detailed articles to quick, insightful videos on TikTok and YouTube. Additionally, it makes Instagram posts of the top 5 daily news, explainers of complicated topics to deepen understanding, and posts with condensed information on a single topic. The initiative creates new contenct and formats through the creation of a video podcast and implements AI features on its website to optimize user experience and engagement. Goals include reconnecting with younger generations, strengthening media literacy, and promoting EU values, pluralism, and multiculturalism. Expected outcomes are improved audience resilience to disinformation, enhanced understanding of current affairs, and increased engagement with curated news content. The project highlights underreported issues and provides diverse perspectives to encourage informed civic participation. | 36,000.00 |
| Documentalistite Foundation | BG | Innovative communication formats and public interest journalism for a more pluralistic media environment in Bulgaria | Den.fm is an independent online media outlet with Bulgarian and international news coverage and innovative multimedia storytelling on socially significant topics. Den.fm is the first in Bulgaria to introduce interactive multimedia storytelling, produced only by major Western media outlets. Currently, Den remains the only media implementing complex journalistic and technological formats combining original text, photography, audio, video, infographics, maps, and data visualization. This initiative will produce four multimedia documentary stories focusing on human rights, vulnerable groups in society, and pressing social issues. A new weekly podcast hosted by some of Bulgaria’s most respected journalists will be launched. It will feature local and international experts who will explain and give context to international affairs. The daily podcast will be transformed into a weekly one, complemented by a newsletter. By implementing innovative formats, the project will strengthen editorial independence, promote quality journalism, and oppose disinformation towards vulnerable groups. | 31,826.00 |
| Gutenberg 3.0 foundation | BG | Online Media for Kids: Investment in Media- and Civic- Literacy | One of the main goals of Gutenberg 3.0 Foundation, is to help overcome functional illiteracy among today’s young people. Created for that purpose, “Vijte” is the only online news media for children aged 7–14, translating adult news into child-friendly language. Inspired by already long established media addressing that age group (DeinSpiegel, 1Jour1Actu, etc.), “Vijte” was founded 4 years ago. The journalists writing for “Vijte” are professionals who have gone through a selection and training, to be able to adapt the quality journalism standards to the art of writing simply on complex issues. The project aims to offer schoolchildren an adequate journalistic content that would give them a measure of quality journalism, build their civic and global competences, instill in them an understanding of the value of quality journalism. The proposal seeks to continue producing quality journalism for children, expand partnerships to reach more readers, and work with teachers to use content in classrooms. The goal is to foster media literacy, critical thinking, and an early appreciation for quality journalism. | 53,504.00 |
| PRO NEWS DOBRICH | BG | The Voice of the Roma in Dobrich Region: Innovations in Reporting News and Stories about the Community | Pro News Dobrich is a regional news media focused on news from Dobrich and the region and the local communities. The media www.pronewsdobrich.bg offers a wide range of formats: news, analytical content, interviews and reports, multimedia content and data visualization. Pro News Dobrich focuses on investigative journalism, transparency, and adherence to ethical reporting standards. The initiative emphasizes media sustainability, quality coverage of marginalized groups (particularly, the Roma community), and professional development for journalists. Activities include technological upgrades, ethical AI training, community engagement, partnerships with NGOs, and training and internships for young Roma in media. Expected outcomes include improved media sustainability, better representation of Roma communities in content creation, enhanced journalist skills, and empowered community participation. The project also aims to foster inter-community dialogue, strengthen democratic media, and counter disinformation. | 40,000.00 |
| Stream Foundation | HU | Mission Possible 2025 – Sustaining Free Media in Kecskemét | Stream Foundation is an independent civic initiative ensuring media access in Kecskemét and its region through kecsup.hu. The kecsup.hu project was launched in 2019 in response to the shrinking space for autonomous NGOs. Kecsup.hu has created the leading alternative news platform providing balanced and critical news coverage on local and regional news and putting them into national and European context. The initiative addresses political pressures, legal harassment, and challenges in accessing wider audiences and sustainable funding. Activities include producing regular podcasts, video content, encouraging face-to-face community engagement, and collaboration with other independent newsrooms. Expected impact includes increased visibility, stronger public relations, financial resilience (a new revenue model (paywall), and technological modernization. The platform also serves as a civic development hub, bringing authentic news to rural communities and expanding its audience reach. | 30,000.00 |
| Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria | BG | Factcheck.bg Reboot in the Anti-Facts Age | Factcheck.bg, an initiative of the Association of European Journalists-Bulgaria (AEJ), is a national online media dedicated to fact-checking, fighting disinformation and increasing media literacy. Factcheck.bg produces fact-checking articles, prebunking publications, investigations on disinformation campaigns, educational videos aimed at general public and teenagers. Factcheck.bg supports journalists by verifying claims in social media, traditional media, and public statements, providing citizens with reliable information. The initiative produces video content to develop fact-checking skills and offers training for regional journalists. It addresses financial vulnerability, limited resources in independent media, and the susceptibility of senior citizens to disinformation. Expected results include increased audience through a developed membership program, more fact-checked and explanatory content, and enhanced resilience of senior citizens. Activities include producing content for journalists and the public, adopting new fact-checking technologies, and involving seniors in content creation and distribution. | 50,000.00 |
| Solomon | EL | Restoring citizens’ trust through community-centered reporting | Solomon is an independent, non-profit Greek newsroom focused on public-interest journalism. As one of Greece’s truly independent journalism outlets, Solomon plays a key role in challenging dominant narratives, holding power to account, and rebuilding trust in public-interest media. The initiative introduces a community-centered reporting model to rebuild public trust in media, currently among the lowest in the EU. The project will run in three phases: audience research using a digital survey to gather insights into public needs; focus groups – five facilitated discussions to explore how to improve trust and engagement and community outreach and co-reporting–involving local groups across Greece in producing stories that reflect their realities and priorities. The goal is to rebuild trust in journalism with transparency, inclusion, and responsiveness. As journalism’s credibility is under serious threat, this initiative offers a bold alternative where communities are not passive news consumers but active participants in shaping it. | 59,269.00 |
| Kreativna pika d.o.o. | SI | I know how to verify! | Ovtar24.si covers the northeastern part of Slovenia, home to approximately 35,000 people, and falls under the category of news deserts. In 2023, Ovtar24 was upgraded with a new online platform, allowing readers to submit news via the online interface “Moja novica”. The local media focuses on raising awareness about quality journalism and promoting dialogue with readers by understanding their perspectives and contribute to rebuilding trust in the journalistic profession. The current project aims to teach local audiences how to recognize disinformation and understand social media algorithms through workshops, lectures, and public events tailored to specific groups. The outlet’s journalists will participate in public events in the region with a booth. A new website section, “Ovtar preverja,” will provide tips on spotting fake news, while collaborations with other local media will strengthen community media literacy. | 22,130.00 |
| Roma Radio Ltd. | HU | The new alternatives of minority radio broadcasting | Radio Dikh is a Roma community radio station in Budapest, established in 2021 and broadcasting music, news, and magazine shows. The radio’s primary target audience is the Roma population living in Budapest and its surroundings (aprox. 100,000 people). The secondary target audience is the majority population, who enjoy Roma music and are interested in Roma culture. The proposal aims to expand the audience nationally by distributing programs on social media (on YouTube, TikTok), video platforms, and podcasts. It also includes media literacy initiatives (starting a media literacy magazine for Roma), video production upgrades, and staff training to meet modern journalistic standards. | 50,000.00 |
The above initiatives are supported in the framework of the Media Resilience: Nurtuting Quality News Journalism project. The project, led by the Open Society Institute – Sofia and implemented in partnership with the European Citizen Action Service (ECAS) and ProMedia, is co-funded by the European Union under the Creative Europe Programme, CREA (Grant Number 101180135). The goal of the project is to strengthen a free, diverse, and pluralistic news media landscape and promote quality journalism, with an emphasis on enhancing quality media outreach to the most vulnerable groups in society susceptible to disinformation.
Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Executive Agency for Education and Culture (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.