The fund, initiated by Civitates, strengthens the field of independent, public-interest journalism in Europe by providing structural, core support for the exciting but stretched organisations that exist in this space.
Independent, in-depth, public-interest journalism in Europe finds itself under increasing pressure. Across the continent, media organisations are struggling with decreasing trust, declining media freedom and independence and increasing difficulties in sustaining themselves financially.
For this reason, several European foundations have joined forces and set up a fund under the umbrella of the philanthropic initiative Civitates to strengthen the field of independent public-interest journalism.
The fund provides multi-year funding to cover operating costs and helps grant recipients to strengthen their institutions to build more durable, more resilient, more networked and more impactful public-interest journalism organisations in Europe. The focus is particularly on organisations that are operating under difficult political and economic conditions.
The funded organisations are:
- Stichting Bellingcat – Netherlands
- Fundacja Pismo – Poland
- OKO – Foundation centre for civic monitoring – Poland
- Divergente – Portugal
- Átlátszó Erdély – Romania
- Press one – Romania
- Pod črto – Slovenia
- Civio – Spain
- Direct36 – Hungary
- Magyar Jeti/444.hu – Hungary
Independent, public-interest journalism plays a vital role in a democratic society. It provides a platform for dialogue, helping individuals to participate in democratic processes. It also keeps an eye on governmental and corporate (in)action, holding those in power to account. To support independent, public-interest journalism in Europe, we have co-founded the fund.
| Funding period | 2020-2022 |
| Funding amount | 75,000 Euro |
| Website | civitates-eu.org |