Sphera Open Call for independent European media & Socially engaged content creators
Application
timeline
From the 1st of April to the 1st of May
Results announcement
20th May 2026
For whom
European independent media and content creators
What you get
Mentoring, trainings, events, network access, visibility
Collabs duration
From May until December 2026
About Sphera Network
Sphera Network is a European network of independent media collaborating on cross-border journalism, producing high-quality reporting on critical social issues. Our work especially aims to inform young Europeans (18–25) on major social challenges — including climate change, social justice, human rights, migration, freedom of speech and press freedom — while strengthening independent journalism across Europe.
At Sphera, we believe that independent media and socially engaged content creators across Europe play a key role in helping young audiences understand the social challenges shaping their societies. Through this Open Call, we aim to bring new editorial perspectives into the Sphera Network and encourage collaborations across different European media ecosystems. By expanding our network — including regions that are still underrepresented in European media collaborations — Sphera seeks to foster dialogue, diversify perspectives, and strengthen connections between independent media actors across Europe.
You are interested in Sphera?
Register to our newsletter [email protected]
What is the Media Collabs Programme?
This year, we are searching for 3 independent media outlets and 3 socially engaged content creators who are interested in exploring cross-border perspectives and sharing stories with a European focus. We’re particularly interested in actors who operate with a strong editorial vision, grounded in independence, social impact, and engagement with their audiences.
We accept submissions from media outlets and content creators who produce content in any format and distribution channels — written, audio, video — and shared through any platform, including websites, newsletters, social media, or streaming services.
Our Media Collabs Programme has been designed as a collaborative mentoring initiative dedicated to strengthen the next generation of independent journalism and socially engaged content creators across Europe.
Selected participants will join an eight-month mentoring and training programme, designed to help them develop their editorial vision, strengthen their strategic capacity, and join a European network of independent media professionals.
The Media Collabs programme focuses on capacity building, collaboration, and Sphera network integration, helping participants expand their impact and connect with a broader European ecosystem.
What’s included in the Sphera Media Collabs?
Selected participants will join an eight-month mentoring programme (May–December 2026).
Participants will :
- Receive 8 months of individual mentoring (online) from a Sphera Network media member
- Attend media-related trainings in Paris (July 2026), in Brussels (November 2026).
- Participate in the Sphera Media Lab, a one-day event in Brussels (November 2026).
- Join the Sphera Network, with peer-learning, collaborative discussions and visibility across Sphera channels and partner platforms.
All travel costs, accommodation and subsistence costs, will be covered by Sphera Network.
We expect from participants :
- Engage actively in the mentoring programme and training.
- Participate in Sphera events and collaborative activities.
- Contribute to strengthening the European ecosystem of independent media with Sphera Network
- Contribute to communication contents showcasing their experience within the Sphera Network.
Who are we looking for?
We are searching for independent media outlets and socially engaged content creators interested in exploring cross-border perspectives and sharing stories with a European focus.
Applicants should demonstrate a clear editorial vision, a commitment to independent and fact-based information, and an interest in social impact and democratic debate.
We welcome content produced in all formats — written, audio or video — and distributed through any channel, including websites, newsletters, podcasts, social media or streaming platforms.
We particularly value actors whose work:
- prioritises fact-checked, independent information based on reliable sources
- covers social issues through human-centred storytelling, focusing on lived experiences and local realities
- highlights voices often overlooked or underrepresented in mainstream media
- creates original, innovative and culturally relevant content for young audiences
- seeks to develop sustainable editorial and economic models that preserve editorial independence
Our definition of Socially engaged content creators A socially engaged content creator is an individual who uses digital platforms and their online community to raise awareness about social, environmental, cultural or democratic issues. Their content goes beyond lifestyle or entertainment and aims to inform, spark reflection and encourage engagement, particularly among young audiences. Creators should demonstrate:
Content creators typically publish on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, podcasts or other digital channels, and maintain an active and engaged audience community. | Our definition of independent media outlet An independent media outlet is an editorial organisation that produces and distributes journalistic content free from political, institutional or commercial influence. Independent media aim to inform, investigate and stimulate public debate while maintaining strong standards of journalistic integrity. They are typically characterised by:
Independent media often seek to highlight underrepresented voices, support plural perspectives and contribute to democratic debate. |
We are looking for socially engaged content creators and independent media that maintain or reinforce strong editorial independence. Applicants must be transparent about any funding, partnerships, or affiliations that could create potential conflicts of interest. Actors whose financial or institutional relationships could influence the orientation of their information will not be considered. The priority is transparent, unbiased communication based on reliable sources and personal expertise.
Possible topics include :
- Social and democratic issues (migration, identity, belonging…)
- Cultural and societal stories (social change, personal journeys…)
- Environmental issues (climate change, sustainability, climate justice…)
- Human rights (gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, labour rights…)
- Freedom of speech and Press freedom (protection of journalists, media pluralism, access to information)
Target Audience:
- European youth aged 18–25
- Digital-native communities active on platforms such as: YouTube, Instagram or TikTok
What are the eligibility Criteria?
- You are based in one of the 27 European Union countries and Ukraine
- You produce information in one of these European languages : German, English, Bulgarian, Croatian, Danish, Spanish, Estonian, Finnish, French, Greek, Hungarian, Irish, Italian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Dutch, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovenian, Swedish, Czech and Ukrainian.
- You are an independent media outlet or a socially engaged content creator.
- You maintain editorial independence from political, institutional, or commercial influence.
- You have a diversified economic model that ensures your editorial independence, and / or you aim to strengthen it through audience-based monetisation models.
- Media outlet: you are committed to producing high-quality, fact-checked journalism, grounded in reliable sources and rigorous reporting.
- Socially engaged content creator: you are committed to sharing your personal experience in good faith, based on trustworthy information and responsible use of sources, without spreading misinformation.
- You share core democratic values such as respect for human dignity, freedom of expression, equality, and human rights.
- Your content focuses on social issues, culture, youth and/or environmental challenges.
- You target a young audience, specifically Gen Z.
- Content creators should demonstrate an active and engaged community, with at least 10,000 followers or regular viewers on their main platform.
Media outlets should demonstrate regular editorial activity, at least one year of publication and an identifiable audience base (such as regular website traffic, newsletter subscribers or a community of readers).
You can download here an overview of our application form |
Selection process and timeline
Applications (1st of April – 1st of May)– Applications must be submitted through the online application form.
Pre-selection (1st of May – 15th of May) – Applications are checked for eligibility and assessed based on initial proposals.
Jury Evaluation (20th of May) – A panel of Sphera partners evaluates shortlisted applications based on:
- Profile: eligibility criteria, including editorial line, topics, audience/community, values, ethics, transparency of the sources of revenues
- Motivation: reason for applying
- Alignment: fit with Sphera’s core values
- Impact: potential influence on young audiences
The jury selects:
- 3 independent media outlets
- 3 socially engaged content creators
Your personal details will be treated confidentially. Médianes collects and uses the personal data indicated by you in the application form only for the purpose of organising this selection. Your personal data will not be shared with third parties. Information on personal data collected and servers can be found here https://spheranetwork.com/privacy-cookie-policy/. Only Médianes, the jury members and the European Commission have access to the data, to ensure a proper understanding of the types of participants reached. All personal data will be anonymised one year after the applicants have been selected. According to EU Regulation EU 2016/679, you are entitled to access your personal data and rectify, block or delete it in case the data is inaccurate or incomplete, by writing to Médianes at [email protected].
If you are an independent media outlet or a socially-engaged content creator committed to responsible journalism and social impact, we invite you to join the Sphera Media Collabs programme. Become part of a European network shaping the future of independent information in Europe.
Sphera — Independent Journalism. Human Stories. Beyond Borders.
Do you have questions?
If you have any questions, please write to us at [email protected], coordinator of the Open Call. Pauline will respond with pleasure to all your questions.
