Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund for Cross-Border Journalism in the Western Balkans 2026

The Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund presents grants as much as €5,000 for cross-border journalism in the Western Balkans. Learn the way to apply, eligibility necessities, deadlines and funding particulars.

Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund for Cross-Border Journalism in the Western Balkans

The Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund has been launched underneath the challenge Strengthening Quality News and Independent Journalism in Western Balkans and Türkiye II. This regional initiative helps media retailers dedicated to producing high-quality, cross-border, and investigative journalism. The name is designed to strengthen editorial requirements, advance skilled reporting, and amplify underrepresented voices throughout the Western Balkans.

Through this programme, media retailers have the alternative to entry monetary help, on-the-job mentoring, and enhanced visibility, whereas contributing to a stronger and extra resilient media ecosystem.

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Purpose of the Content Production Fund

The Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund goals to spice up the creation of impactful multimedia tales that discover points shared throughout borders. Supported retailers are anticipated to ship cross-regional content material in each English and native languages, with a transparent investigative course.

The fund prioritises tales that embody views from underrepresented communities comparable to minorities, youth, and ladies. It additionally promotes excessive editorial requirements and helps journalists develop new abilities by way of steady mentoring offered by BIRN Hub.

This name kinds part of a wider effort to construct stronger journalism training and promote significant reporting all through the area. More info on BIRN’s dedication to strengthening journalism could be discovered on the official web site at

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Grant Size and Implementation Timeline

Each chosen media outlet might obtain as much as €5,000 for producing one high-quality, cross-border multimedia story. Up to 12 retailers will likely be supported, with a complete obtainable price range of €60,000.

Activities underneath the grant should begin on 1 January 2026 and be accomplished no later than 15 March 2026. No co-financing is required, making this an accessible alternative for rising and established media organisations looking for to provide in-depth, transnational tales.

To discover earlier cross-border investigations and examples of high-impact journalism, you’ll be able to go to Balkan Insight at

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Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund, media retailers should reveal a strong dedication to unbiased journalism and supply a narrative idea with clear investigative and cross-border relevance. Applicants should additionally present the capability to hold out the proposed actions and current real looking plans to incorporate underreported teams in their storytelling.

Eligible candidates should be legally registered in their nation earlier than 1 January 2023 and should not maintain one other energetic BIRN grant throughout the implementation interval. They should even be ready to collaborate with assigned mentors to develop and finalise a manufacturing plan.

The application requires an English-language type, a monetary proposal, monetary statements (the place relevant), tax compliance documentation, proof of authorized registration, and, if related, editorial coverage paperwork. If a court docket certificates confirming the absence of authorized proceedings can’t be obtained resulting from ongoing SLAPP circumstances, a clear written rationalization could also be offered.

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Eligible Activities and Costs

Activities supported underneath this Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund embody the full course of of manufacturing a multimedia, cross-border investigative story: analysis, interviews, discipline reporting, journey, content material creation, and publication. Promotion of the remaining story by way of the outlet’s social media channels can also be inspired.

Eligible prices embody human assets comparable to newsroom employees and freelancers immediately concerned in the story, analysis and communication bills, and journey that helps cross-border or native reporting. Costs that fall outdoors the scope of content material manufacturing, comparable to workplace gear, leisure, building, and unrelated occasions, aren’t coated.

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Evaluation and Selection Process

Applications that meet administrative and eligibility standards will likely be assessed by an unbiased jury of media professionals. The committee will consider proposals primarily based on the relevance of the story, the outlet’s capability, the monetary proposal, and the anticipated social and neighborhood impression.

Successful candidates will obtain direct notification, adopted by contract signing and the task of mentors. Mentors will help the whole manufacturing course of whereas respecting the editorial independence of every media outlet.

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Mentoring and Capacity Support

A key part of this Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund is personalised mentoring. Each grantee will work with an assigned mentor to refine the story method, resolve challenges, and guarantee excessive editorial high quality. Mentoring will happen by way of on-line and offline consultations and is built-in into the story manufacturing workflow.

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Key Dates

The name was issued on 17 November 2025. The deadline to request clarifications is 5 December 2025.
The Application Deadline is 10 December 2025 at midnight CET.
Notifications will likely be despatched on 23 December 2025, with remaining contract signatures scheduled for 29 December 2025.

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How to Apply

Applicants should submit all required paperwork by 10 December 2025 (midnight CET) to:

functions@birnnetwork.org
Subject line: Application for Content Production Grants_[Name of Media Outlet]

The application type and price range templates could be downloaded from:

Questions concerning the application course of could also be addressed in English to the Programme Coordinator at donjeta.berisha@birnnetwork.org earlier than the clarification deadline.

Late functions is not going to be thought of.

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Conclusion

The Open Call for Applications: Content Production Fund presents a precious alternative for media retailers in the Western Balkans to provide impactful cross-border journalism, strengthen newsroom abilities, and amplify underrepresented voices. By supporting investigative content material and offering tailor-made mentoring, BIRN Hub contributes to a extra knowledgeable, related, and unbiased media panorama in the area.

For extra worldwide profession alternatives, go to Opportunities For Youth

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