European Media and Information Fund

Since 2021, the European Media and Information Fund (EMIF) has contributed to counter orchestrated disinformation campaigns and foreign interferences, striving to promote a more transparent, diverse and resilient information ecosystem in Europe. The fund works across multiple areas and harbours a multidisciplinary community of professionals engaged in digital information literacy, fact-checking, journalistic investigations and research aimed at informing policies in support of free and pluralistic media. Our network of over 200 independent expert organizations includes news organizations, universities, and civil society organizations.

EMIF has a proven track record of rapid and flexible response to critical events, such as elections and international crises, but the demand for our funds has been progressively growing and is today facing a sizeable funding gap. Moreover, recent geopolitical shocks and growing incertitude for public security and fears for social and economic stability make our societies ever more dependent on resilient communication infrastructures and trustworthy information. Our shared democratic values are under attack and only a collective effort can counter these existential threats. Countering online disinformation and restoring a trustworthy information ecosystem should be regarded as a shared commitment of the whole society.

 

DONORS’ FUNDAMENTAL PREMISES

Multi-donor by design, the EMIF welcomes contributions from organisations believing in its mission and subscribing to the principles of scientific autonomy and freedom. Donors are not engaged in the management of the fund, but can enhance the pursuit of shared goals by committing to multi-year donations, thus contributing to its financial sustainability. Contributions may be tailored to donors’ ESG objectives and geared towards actions that reflect their corporate role and responsibility in society.

Get in touch with our team for an explanatory meeting.

Annachiara Zardini
Partnership and Fundraising Associate
[email protected] / + 39 3316102560 / [email protected]

 

EMIF FUNDING MECHANISM PRINCIPLES

• Attract and support proposals that are innovative and have a multiplier effect (e.g. scalable approaches to disinformation detection, analysis and exposure; networked knowledge exchanges; solid dissemination plans that foster information sharing and follow-on research).
• Support scientifically grounded interventions and preserve the editorial independence of the beneficiaries. Projects should be focused on specific aims and expected outcomes.
• Grant through transparent and competitive calls for proposals.
• Provide for agile and flexible funding mechanisms to enable operations that keep up the pace with fast-evolving disinformation narratives and manipulation tactics and allow monitoring of events as they unfold (e.g. fact-checking on the Russia-Ukraine war).
• Tailor the size of fundable projects to the absorption capacity and operational abilities of eligible beneficiaries. EMIF’s funding operations will cater for small, medium and larger projects.
• Ensure a wide geographic coverage (minimum 12 Member States each year), while supporting projects that foster diversity and help building networks of specialists at national and EU levels. Given the diversity and specific vulnerabilities of national information environments, EMIF shall fund a wide and well-balanced portfolio of projects.
• Ensure wide visibility and public awareness of the funded activities, across all four priority areas.