Pluralistic Media for Democracy - FAQ

Any incorporated small corporate legal entity can apply with a registered seat in one of the EU27 countries Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia & Serbia..

In general, we ask applicants not to design a project starting from a target amount, but the other way around: start from a relevant project proposal, and then draft a realistic budget. The quality and realism of the budget you submit are one of the assessment criteria for the jury to grant your project. It is therefore NOT a good idea to inflate your budget.
The total available amount per two calls to be distributed among all supported projects is around €1,400,000.

Eligible costs for funding:
Personnel and operating costs that meet the following cumulative conditions:

• directly attributable to the project
• arise during the project period and after the signing of the grant agreement with Journalismfund Europe
• necessary for carrying out the project, reasonable and justified
• effectively incurred by the grant beneficiary, identified and verifiable, in particular recorded in the grantee’s accounts in accordance with the accounting standards applicable in the country where the beneficiary is established and with the grantee’s usual cost accounting practices
• not funded by other donors or support programmes
• compliant with the applicable national law on taxes, labour and social security

With regard to the eligible costs regarding investments:
Purchases of equipment, infrastructure or other assets used for the project must be declared as depreciation costs, calculated on the basis of the costs actually incurred and written off in accordance with international accounting standards and the beneficiary’s usual accounting practices. Only the portion of the costs that correspond to the rate of actual use for the project during the project duration can be taken into account.
Non-eligible costs for funding:

• personnel and operating costs not directly attributable to the project
• internal rental costs (rental to oneself - as owner - of premises or other infrastructure)
• overhead costs
• meal costs, food and beverages
• In-kind contributions by third parties
• Interests, debt service charges, currency exchange losses
• recoverable VAT

Applications need to include a budget calculation according to the budget template.
Please read the instructions tab in the budget template carefully.

We ask applicants to start from a project proposal that is relevant and convincing within the framework of the grant programme, and put forward a time frame and budget that are realistic and feasible to execute the proposed project.
The duration of projects could range from a very short period up to nine months maximum, if that is relevant. Only separate projects that are clearly defined and limited in time are eligible for this grant programme. This grant is not intended to support the permanent operations of an organisation.

Innovation is understood as a change process aimed at the development of novel products, processes, or positions that enhance the viability of public interest media. Innovation, therefore, only happens when products, processes or positions are introduced by the grantees to the market and are linked to their viability. Positions in this context refers to new or innovative stances, roles, or perspectives that public interest media outlets may adopt to enhance their viability, such as introducing new ways of presenting or framing content, adopting unique editorial perspectives, or taking on distinct roles within the media landscape.

A news desert is a geographic or administrative area, or a social community, where it is difficult or impossible to access sufficient, reliable, diverse and independent local, regional and community media and information. If you want to read more about this, click here.

Public interest journalism: Ethical, editorially independent, and fact-based journalism that informs the public about relevant issues in a way that serves the public interest, rather than any political, commercial, or factional interest; encourages and informs public debate; holds those in power to account; challenges discriminatory societal norms.
Public interest media: Editorially independent media outlets that strive to produce and distribute public interest journalism.

DEI stands for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Media can promote inclusive societies and civic spaces by challenging prejudice, stereotypes, and other exclusionary phenomena that perpetuate bias and inequity. This is achieved by reflecting the diversity of their communities and audiences. Therefore, DEI is a key component of the PM4D programme.
The jury will assess applicants based on the integration of DEI within their projects and media organisations. This can include, but is not limited to, content strategies targeting marginalised groups, gender and inclusivity policies at an organisational level, representation and diversity reflected in the composition of staff, and strengthening gender awareness through inclusive language and diverse sources. The PM4D consortium especially encourages media outlets led by individuals from underrepresented groups to apply.
Applicants must target at least one marginalised group in their project and assess their audiences from a DEI perspective. Selected grantees will be expected to assess and report on the project’s impact on gender balance, diversity, and inclusion. They will also receive training and expert support on DEI integration and implementation as part of the PM4D capacity-building programme.

Diversity: The representation and acknowledgment of the multitude of identities, experiences, and ways of moving through the world. This includes, but is not limited to, ability, age, citizenship status, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, geographic location, language, nationality, religion, race, sexuality, and socioeconomic status.

Equity: Seeking to ensure respect and equal opportunity for all, using all resources and tools to elevate the voices of under-represented and/or disadvantaged groups.

Inclusion: Fostering an environment in which people of all identities are welcome, valued, and supported. An inclusive organisation solicits, listens to, learns from, and acts on the contributions of all its stakeholders.

Sustainability is the ability of media organisations to continue their activities and endure over time, sustaining the production of public interest journalism in the medium to long term.

In the context of PM4D, sustainability means that media organisations will be able to maintain human resources and/or project activities after the grant period ends. Additionally, the activities undertaken as part of the projects will contribute to enhancing financial, organisational or technological sustainability of media organisations.

Marginalised groups are different groups of people within a given culture, context, and history who are at risk of being subjected to multiple forms of discrimination due to the interplay of various personal characteristics or grounds, such as sex, gender, age, ethnicity, religion or belief, health status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, education or income, or living in different geographic localities.

PM4D applicants must clearly define at least one marginalised group that their project will target and explain how this chosen audience segment faces heightened risks of inequalities in terms of access to relevant, high-quality journalism or rights and public services.

No, not necessarily.
However, it is required to submit your full project application in English. English is the common language of our international jury, and all jury members need to be able to assess all applications on the same basis.

The first deadline is on 13 February 2025 (closed) and the second deadline is on 12 June 2025. Please kindly consider that if you apply on the first round in February and your project is rejected, you have the possibility to apply in June. We encourage you to aim to apply for the first deadline to increase your chances of getting a grant.

Applicants are usually informed about the jury decision around 60 days after the application deadline.

Journalismfund Europe's Pluralistic Media For Democracy Grant Programme is co-funded by the European Commission.
All formal agreements between Journalismfund Europe and its donors stipulate independence and no editorial interference. (Representatives from) donors can never be part of the juries that award the grants. Journalismfund does not take money from donors that don’t agree with these terms.
We adopted an Ethical Funding Policy to ensure that Journalismfund Europe properly manages its priorities and projects with appropriate independence from its funders. This Policy also aims at providing transparency regarding the identity of Journalismfund Europe’s sources of funding to avoid any suspicion of inappropriate influence or conflicts of interest concerning Journalismfund Europe’s activities.
Journalismfund Europe’s financial records are reviewed annually by an independent auditor. You can find all funding information and financial documents here.

Journalismfund Europe strives for the highest standards for data protection and security. Read about our privacy and data protection measures here.

Journalismfund Europe vzw is a Belgium-based independent non‐profit organisation established with the purpose of promoting independent investigative journalism.

Check the general FAQ about our organisation.

Register to speak with our project coordinator. Click here to view the calendar.