Commission Reinforces Support for Exiled Russian and Belarusian Journalists in the EU
Today, the Commission published a call for proposals to support exiled independent journalists and media from Russia and Belarus working from the EU. Offering nearly €3 million in funding, this is the second such call following a first edition in 2023. The main objective is to support the creation of a pan-European platform or network of media hubs that promote a pluralistic media environment. The focus is on ensuring that exiled independent journalists and media can continue producing content and distributing it to their audiences without editorial interference.
In 2024 alone, 1,500 independent journalists and editorial newsrooms from Russia and Belarus were estimated to have fled or relocated to EU countries. With this renewed support, the Commission continues its efforts to make the EU a major hub for those striving for freedom of expression and democracy.
Supporting free, independent, and pluralistic media is of key importance and will be part of the reflections on the upcoming Democracy Shield, announced in President von der Leyens political guidelines for the 2024-2029 Commission.
Public authorities, international organisations, NGOs, and research centres can apply for this call by 14 March 2025. More information about this call is available here.
(For more information: Thomas Regnier – Tel: +32 2 299 10 99; Patricia Poropat – Tel: +32 2 298 04 85)
Commission Directorate-General Focuses on Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood
From 1 February 2025, the Commission has a Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood (DG ENEST) responsible for enlargement and accession negotiations with candidate and potential candidate countries to join the European Union. This also includes communication on the benefits of enlargement in EU Member States as well as in enlargement partners. Regional cooperation and regional initiatives, including gradual integration of candidate countries as they work to join the Union, is another important task of DG ENEST. This DG will also manage most of the EUs financial and technical assistance to enlargement partners, as well as to the EUs Eastern Neighbourhood countries, such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Belarus. In addition, the DG will deliver continued and sustained support for Ukraine and continue the work on Ukraines recovery and reconstruction and host the Ukraine Donor Platform.
Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos, said: “Peace, freedom, and prosperity on our continent depend on the strength, unity, and also the size of our European Union. This is the essence of our Enlargement policy. For the first time in 10 years, there is a realistic prospect that during this mandate, we can bring one or more countries to the finish line of negotiations. The road ahead will be challenging, but I am pleased that with the new Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood, I will have a dedicated team, driven by knowledge and commitment, to support me in helping future Member States implement the necessary reforms to prepare their place inside our Union.”
The creation of this Directorate-General was announced by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, at the presentation of the College of Commissioners in September 2024, with a formal Commission decision taken at the start of the mandate in December 2024. More information about the Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood can be found here.
(For more information: Guillaume Mercier – Tel.: +32 2 298 05 64; Eirini Zarkadoula – Tel.: +32 2 295 70 65)