Call for Proposals to Support the Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism 2025 (CREA-CROSS-2025-MFP)

By alfa4 , 9 June, 2024
The Call for Proposals to Support the Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism 2025 (CREA-CROSS-2025-MFP) is now open, with a submission deadline of January 15, 2025, at 17:00 CET
Call for Proposals to Support the Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism

The aim of the call is to promote media independence and pluralism through the support of an independent EU-level rapid response mechanism, which will allow for the monitoring and support of media freedom and the safety of journalists.

The total available budget for this call is €3,000,000, with EU co-financing covering up to 90% of the total eligible project budget.

Call Objectives

This mechanism will monitor violations of press and media freedom in EU Member States, Creative Europe participating countries and candidate countries. Support will provide practical assistance to protect at-risk journalists, including specific tools such as counselling, legal support, and provision of shelter and logistical aid to enable journalists to continue their professional work.

Eligibility

The call is open to consortia composed of at least two legal entities from at least two eligible countries.

Eligible Applicants

  • Non-profit organizations (private or public)
  • International organizations
  • Universities
  • Educational institutions
  • Research centers

Eligible Activities

  • Designing and managing a Europe-wide rapid response mechanism supporting media freedom and journalist safety across EU Member States, Creative Europe countries, and candidate countries
  • Providing legal and practical support to journalists and media workers in need
  • Organizing advocacy missions to locations where journalists are under threat
  • Monitoring media freedom in EU Member States, Creative Europe countries, and candidate countries
  • Running awareness-raising campaigns on media freedom and journalist safety
  • Conducting communication and dissemination activities
  • Monitoring and evaluating the action

Specific activities to support the above objectives may include

  • Cooperation projects
  • Conferences, seminars
  • Training sessions
  • Awareness-raising and dissemination activities
  • Actions aimed at building and strengthening networks, exchanging best practices
  • Actions aimed at developing and improving digital tools
  • Studies, analyses, mapping projects
  • Legal and practical support for journalists
  • Advocacy missions in eligible countries, as necessary
  • Financial support to third parties

Expected Impacts

  • Establishment of a European rapid response mechanism for monitoring and supporting media freedom and journalist safety, covering all EU Member States, Creative Europe countries, and candidate countries
  • Provision of legal and practical support for journalists and media professionals in need
  • Advocacy missions in locations where journalists are at risk
  • Awareness campaigns focusing on media freedom and journalist safety
  • Effective communication and dissemination activities

Application Preparation and Submission

  • Proposals should be prepared in accordance with the criteria and conditions outlined in the call document: Call NEWS - Media Freedom Rapid Response Mechanism (CREA-CROSS-2025-MFP), Version 1.0, 22 October
    Links to the call and call documents can be found here and here.
  • Applications must be completed and submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Opportunities Portal (F&TP). Information on how to access the F&TP portal is available here.

Online Information Session – November 12, 2024, at 10:00 CET
On November 12, 2024, at 10:00 CET, the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) will organize an online info session to provide details on the funding opportunity and the application process. You can register for the online session here.