The project focuses on strengthening independent public-interest media across Europe by supporting innovation, audience engagement and revenue diversification. Through training, coaching, grants, mentoring, hackathons and networking, media outlets will develop more resilient editorial, operational and business models, engage their communities and respond more effectively to digital disruption.
Summary
Media Innovation Europe: Towards a Resilient Public-Interest Media Ecosystem is a two-year project implemented from June 2026 to May 2028. It aims to help independent media outlets preserve their watchdog role, promote transparency and contribute to stronger democratic institutions.
The project combines financial support, capacity building, peer-to-peer learning and access to European networks. Participating media outlets will receive support to develop innovative products, strengthen their organisational and business models, diversify revenue and produce journalism centred on the needs of their audiences.
BIRN will lead the audience-engaged journalism component. Two calls for proposals will provide grants to media outlets from the six Western Balkan and four Visegrad countries. Selected outlets will receive access to BIRN’s BE-Engaged digital tool, as well as training, technical assistance and editorial mentoring. The tool will help newsrooms crowdsource information from citizens and produce stories of local and cross-border importance, including content relevant to women, young people and marginalised communities.
The wider programme will also deliver media innovation accelerators, peer-to-peer mentoring, business simulations, innovation and business hackathons, learning resources, networking opportunities and two Media Innovation Festivals. These activities will enable media professionals to exchange knowledge, build partnerships and develop sustainable responses to the challenges facing independent journalism.
Donor
European Commission, Creative Europe
Main Activities
Audience-Engaged Journalism:
- Two grant calls for media outlets in the Western Balkans and Visegrad countries.
- Grant funding for audience-engaged journalism and content production.
- Access to BIRN’s BE-Engaged digital audience engagement tool.
- Training and mentoring for selected journalists and media professionals.
- Production of audience-engaged stories, including cross-border collaborations.
Target Groups
Independent public-interest, local and community-focused media outlets; journalists, editors, media managers, entrepreneurs and other media professionals across Europe, with particular focus on the Western Balkans, Visegrad, Central and Southern Europe.
Main Implementer
International Press Institute
Partners
Thomson Media and The Fix Media Foundation