12:01 am - October 26, 2025
A €1.4 million grant programme backed by the EU and King Baudouin Foundation is supporting local and investigative news outlets across Europe.
A new €1.4 million grant programme is aiming to revitalise local and investigative journalism across Europe, with a particular focus on under-served regions often described as “news deserts”.
Backed by the European Union and the King Baudouin Foundation, the initiative is being run by Journalismfund Europe and International Media Support, and is open to local, regional and community media outlets struggling with declining revenues and shrinking newsrooms.
The Pluralistic Media for Democracy programme is offering nearly 40 grants to support news organisations experimenting with new formats, diversifying revenue streams or deepening audience engagement. It is also open to public interest investigative journalism projects, especially those operating in areas with limited access to independent, high-quality news.
The second round of applications closes on 12 June 2025. Funding will be distributed across two phases, with the first round already completed.
The programme reflects growing concern about the erosion of local journalism across Europe, where the collapse of traditional advertising models has hit smaller outlets especially hard. Many have been unable to keep pace with the digital transition, while others have fallen victim to ownership consolidation or newsroom closures, leaving communities without access to trusted news.
Organisers say the grants are designed not just to provide short-term financial support but to help media outlets build more sustainable operating models. Priority will be given to projects that improve editorial independence, engage local communities or collaborate across borders and sectors.
While the grant programme is modest in scale, it forms part of a broader effort by European institutions and civil society groups to address the democratic risks posed by weakened local media. Studies have linked the decline in local news to falling voter turnout, weaker civic participation and the spread of misinformation.
By targeting resources at grassroots newsrooms and encouraging innovation in formats, funding models and audience engagement, the initiative seeks to strengthen the democratic infrastructure in areas where it is most fragile.
[](https://grants.journalismfund.eu/en/pluralistic-media-democracy-faq)
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://opportunitiesforyouth.org/2025/05/27/pluralistic-media-for-democracy-grant-e1-4m-to-support-local-regional-and-investigative-journalism/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pluralistic-media-for-democracy-grant-e1-4m-to-support-local-regional-and-investigative-journalism – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://grants.journalismfund.eu/en/pluralistic-media-democracy – The ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ grant programme, co-funded by the European Commission and the King Baudouin Foundation, allocates €1.4 million to support local and regional outlets, community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news organisations operating in ‘news deserts’ or areas with strained media pluralism. The programme aims to empower media organisations to uphold democracy and foster informed public discourse across Europe. Eligible applicants include legal entities with a registered seat in EU27 countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The next application deadline is 12 June 2025. More information is available on the Journalismfund Europe website.
- https://www.journalismfund.eu/pluralistic-media-for-democracy – Journalismfund Europe, in collaboration with International Media Support (IMS), has launched the ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ initiative. This programme focuses on supporting local and regional outlets, community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news organisations in areas where media pluralism is under strain. The initiative aims to empower media organisations to continue their critical role in upholding democracy and fostering informed public discourse across Europe. The programme is co-funded by the European Commission and the King Baudouin Foundation. The next application deadline is 12 June 2025. Further details are available on the Journalismfund Europe website.
- https://www.journalismfund.eu/apply-now-PM4D – The ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ grant programme, co-funded by the European Commission, is open for applications. The programme allocates €1.4 million to support local and regional outlets, community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news organisations operating in ‘news deserts’ or areas with strained media pluralism. Eligible applicants include legal entities with a registered seat in EU27 countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The next application deadline is 12 June 2025. More information and the application portal are available on the Journalismfund Europe website.
- https://grants.journalismfund.eu/en/pluralistic-media-democracy-faq – The ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ grant programme, co-funded by the European Commission, provides €1.4 million in financial support to local and regional outlets, community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news organisations operating in ‘news deserts’ or areas with strained media pluralism. Eligible applicants include legal entities with a registered seat in EU27 countries, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia. The next application deadline is 12 June 2025. Detailed information, including eligibility criteria and application guidelines, is available on the Journalismfund Europe website.
- https://www.journalismfund.eu/PM4DSecondRoundApplications – Journalismfund Europe and International Media Support (IMS) have launched a second round of applications for the ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ programme. This initiative supports local, regional, and independent media across the EU and beyond, focusing on local and community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news through grants and capacity building. The programme aims to empower media organisations to continue their critical role in upholding democracy and fostering informed public discourse across Europe. The next application deadline is 12 June 2025. More information is available on the Journalismfund Europe website.
- https://www.journalismfund.eu/PM4Dintrowebinar – An introductory webinar for the ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ grant programme is scheduled for 6 November 2024. The webinar will provide information about the programme’s objectives, eligibility criteria, and application process. The ‘Pluralistic Media for Democracy’ programme, co-funded by the European Commission and the King Baudouin Foundation, allocates €1.4 million to support local and regional outlets, community media, investigative journalism, and public interest news organisations operating in ‘news deserts’ or areas with strained media pluralism. Further details and registration information are available on the Journalismfund Europe website.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative is current, with the latest application deadline set for 12 June 2025. The first application round closed on 13 February 2025, indicating recent and active engagement. ([grants.journalismfund.eu](https://grants.journalismfund.eu/en/pluralistic-media-democracy?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
No direct quotes are present in the narrative, suggesting original content.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from Journalismfund Europe, a reputable organisation dedicated to enhancing media viability in challenging environments. The programme is co-funded by the European Commission (Creative Europe) and the King Baudouin Foundation, further validating its credibility. ([journalismfund.eu](https://www.journalismfund.eu/news/PM4Dlaunch?utm_source=openai))
Plausability check
Score:
10
Notes:
The claims are plausible and supported by multiple reputable sources. The programme’s objectives align with ongoing efforts to support independent journalism in Europe. ([journalismfund.eu](https://www.journalismfund.eu/pluralistic-media-for-democracy?utm_source=openai))
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is current, originates from a reputable organisation, and presents plausible claims supported by multiple sources. The absence of direct quotes suggests original content, and the programme’s objectives align with ongoing efforts to support independent journalism in Europe.
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