By Martin Banks

The EU has launched a multi-million-euro initiative aimed at “improving the quality” of news gathering at EU level.

The European Commission says the proposal seeks to support independent audiovisual and digital pan-European reporting on EU affairs by European media outlets.

The annual call for proposals has a budget of some €16.6 million.

The EC says it will “connect EU citizens with news of their interest, by supporting the quality and impact of such reporting, in as many languages and EU countries as possible, particularly in the ones where this offer is scarce.”

The call is split into three topics: €8.5 million is available for a project to increase the coverage and availability of audiovisual news on EU affairs.

Some €3.1 million is set aside for a proposal to develop international, audiovisual news media offers in specific EU countries to enhance media pluralism, market plurality and content diversity.

A further €5 million is available for reporting that increases access to trustworthy and professionally-produced online information.

The call is open until 2 June 2026 and invites both single applicants and consortia.

The organisations and activities must be established in EU member states.

All media beneficiaries must operate in full editorial independence.

The EC says the call for proposals is part of the Commission’s multimedia actions which fund EU information, news and programmes from a European perspective.

An EC source said, “The call aims to enhance the quantity, quality and impact of such reporting, in as many languages and EU countries as possible and particularly where this offer is scarce.

“Part of the support is specifically dedicated to set up and/or maintain an EU international audiovisual news service in Hungarian.

Applicants are expected to produce and disseminate news content using both traditional and new media formats and distribution channels.

They are strongly encouraged to propose common content offers across borders, must implement a shared pan-European visual identity and outreach strategy, and encourage exchanges of opinions and debates on key topics affecting European citizens.

The selected projects should start between October and December 2026.