Apply Now: Support for Independent Media

The EU-funded Innovation. Media. Minds.: Support to Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans Program is pleased to announce the first open call for independent investigative media and media organisations in the Western Balkans.

The primary aim of these grants is to support independent – media outlets/media organisations in the Western Balkans region promoting pluralism of expression, strengthening their cooperation with the Western Balkan Public Service Media (PSM) and improving audience-relevant reporting. Prioritized in close cooperation with Western Balkan PSM, topics of regional public interest include culture, cultural pluralism, cultural exchange and dialogue, education, rule of law, human and vulnerable groups rights, gender, ecology, the IPA beneficiaries’ progress towards the EU integration, civil society values exchanges, etc.

Eligibility criteria: To be eligible, applicants must:

- Operate as an independent investigative media outlet or media organisation with a legal entity established in one of the following IPA beneficiaries: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia;
- Be registered as an independent media outlet or media organisation for at least 3 years;
- Have a signed official document (contract, agreement, statement, letter of intent) with at least one of the Western Balkan PSMs * to broadcast the media content created through this grant scheme. The content must be broadcast for at least one month and published across various Western Balkan PSM and beneficiary media platforms including radio, TV, social media, website, YouTube, etc.

Grant details: A total budget of EUR 90,000 is available for independent investigative media through this Call. Three (3) grants will be awarded, each up to a maximum EUR 30,000.

Applicants can submit project proposals with a maximum duration of twelve (12) months.

Application deadline: This call is open until 13 November, 2024, 23:59 CET. Applicants must submit their project ideas via Goethe Application Portal (GAP). If you experience any technical difficulties during the submission process, please contact IMM Program team.

Contact person: Dajana Celebic, dajana.celebic@goethe.de

About the program: Funded by the European Union, the Innovation. Media. Minds. (IMM): Support to the Public Service Journalism in the Western Balkans Program, is managed by the Goethe-Institut on behalf of the European Commission and in collaboration with its implementing partner DW Akademie.

The Program focuses on public service broadcasters by aiming to enhance content and engage audiences. Implemented from 2023 to 2026, Program’s estimated results include improved management skills, internal structures, workflows of PSMs, along with producing enhanced programming and content that serve public interest. Media professionals are expected to improve their skills and innovation techniques, while special focus is given to young journalists, multipliers and trainers, quality journalism and audience involvement. The Program also aims to enhance engagement, expand cooperation and networking capacity of public service media (PSM).

More information: For more details about this call, please refer to the Q&A section and supporting documents below:

Questions and answers (Q&A) section
Supporting documents: 










* The following Western Balkan PSMs are part of the IMM Program: RTSH, BHRT, RTVGBiH, MRT, RTCG, RTK, RTS, RTV.
**This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999.