Call for Audience-Engaged Journalism Grants

12/10/2026 23:59

European Union

● Access to BE Engaged tool (BE tool), which will be actively used in projects to involve communities in story development;
● Training in engagement journalism and BE tool usage;
● On-the-job mentoring in audience-engaged story production by experienced mentors;
● Production of investigative and engaging stories of local and regional interest that are based on information crowdsourced using BE tool for audience-engagement;
● Support to join forces and collaborate, sharing knowledge and expertise with one another;
● Support to continue using the BE tool, fostering a sustained culture of community engagement.

1. Demonstrate a commitment to producing high-quality, independent journalism that serves the public interest.
2. Propose a story with a clear investigative and in-depth dimension, one that is meaningful and impactful for the community it addresses, and that involves and engages the community directly in exploring a topic of relevance to them.
○ If applying for an individual grant, the proposed story must address an issue relevant to the national/regional/local audience.
○ If applying for a cross-border grant, the proposed story must address an issue relevant to audiences in Balkan and Visegrad countries, and reflect collaborative effort.
3. Express clear intention and means of including underrepresented communities in stories. These communities may include marginalised groups such as national minorities, youth, LGBTQ+, women and other underreported communities.
4. Be a legally registered entity within the country of application on or before 1 January, 2024.
5. Be able to provide supporting documentation as listed in 5.4.1 Application Form Content.
6. Demonstrate a commitment to actively participate in on-the-job mentoring in engagement journalism and the professional use of BE tool, following the guidance provided by mentors and BE tool coordinator.

Partnership can be:
○ Pre-established; in situations where a media outlet already has a media partner for a cross-border story, they may apply together for a grant of €9,400 to cover expenses for both parties.
○ Individual story pairing; in cases where individual applicants are proposing the similar story or share an interest, BIRN might propose that outlets pair up to complement their expertise and knowledge.

Min: 4700

Max: 9400

%

8 months