Media organisations with tested plans for new products, services or revenue models can now apply for grants of up to €30,000 through the Business Innovation Synergizer.
The programme is part of Media Innovation Europe 3.0, a two-year initiative supporting local, investigative and community-focused media as they adapt to digital transformation, diversify revenue, improve audience engagement and develop sustainable business models.
Successful applicants will receive funding, expert mentoring and practical support to help them put their ideas into action. The programme is designed to help media organisations build stronger products, services and digital solutions that can support long-term sustainability.
The call is open to organisations from all 27 European Union member states, as well as Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia and Ukraine.
The details
The Business Innovation Synergizer is aimed at established professional media organisations that have already developed or tested a business idea, plan or strategy and are ready to move into delivery.
Grants of up to €30,000 are available, with no mandatory co-financing required. Selected organisations will also receive dedicated one-to-one mentoring, regular online or in-person support, and opportunities to share knowledge with other media organisations.
The programme can support a wide range of activities linked to business growth and innovation. These may include new revenue models, such as subscriptions, membership schemes, premium content, and events. It may also cover improvements to websites, mobile applications and newsletters, digital tools for production and audience analytics, new content formats, marketing and audience acquisition as well as equipment, software, licences or digital infrastructure needed to deliver the proposed idea.
Supported projects may run for up to 12 months, from January to December 2027.
Applicants must be legally registered media organisations from the designated countries with annual revenue of more than €80,000 and at least five full-time employees. They must have been established before 1 January 2025.
How to apply
Applications must be submitted in English through the designated application platform. Media organisations must provide the completed application form and budget, registration documents, proof that the media outlet was established before 1 January 2025, financial statements for 2025, a recent tax compliance certificate and the organisation’s structural chart.
An online information session will take place on 27 August 2026 at 11:00 CET.
Questions and requests for clarification can be sent in English to nerminas@thomsonfoundation.org by 1 September 2026.
The deadline for applications is 20 September 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Media Innovation Europe 3.0 is funded by the European Union and implemented by a consortium led by the International Press Institute, together with Thomson Media, The Fix Foundation and the Balkan Investigative Reporting Network.
