Sphera Open Call for independent European media
Application
timeline
from the 12th of May to the 12th of July
Editorial production timeline
from August 2025 until November 2025
Results announcement
21st July 2025
For whom
European independent media
Format
Video documentary
Production
grant
7,000€
What is the Sphera Open Call?
Sphera Network invites independent European media outlets to submit ideas for short documentaries, aimed at exploring critical social issues through the lens of personal narratives and human-centered storytelling. The initiative also seeks to engage young Europeans (18-25 year-old) in discussions about social issues such as climate change, justice, human rights, and immigration through compelling, human-centered narratives. At Sphera we believe that local independent media are the best places to do that.
We are looking for fresh, innovative perspectives to amplify voices from regions where independent media coverage is limited. Our aim is to empower independent media outlets, everywhere in Europe to share vital, cross-border stories with European youth (aged 18-25).
Why This Matters
Across Europe, press freedom is under attack. Laws designed to silence independent voices, intimidation of journalists, and state-led disinformation campaigns are becoming alarmingly common — especially in Southern and Eastern Europe.
At Sphera Network, we believe that supporting independent media isn’t just a cultural effort — it’s a democratic necessity. Press freedom is not negotiable. Press freedom is your freedom.
This call is not only about producing stories — it is about supporting a diverse and independent media landscape in Europe, ensuring that the voices of people across the continent are heard and represented.
Through this Open Call, we provide financial support to independent newsrooms giving them the means to keep reporting freely and to tell the stories that matter.
As part of the Sphera Media Collabs initiative, selected media outlets will receive up to €7,000 in funding to produce their short documentary (15-20 minutes), plus additional support for producing 11 social media elements for promotional purposes.
Your documentary will be produced in your original language and, additionally, will be translated into 7 languages (English, French, Greek, Hungarian, Italian, Polish, and Spanish) and co-published on Sphera’s channels.
Through this open call, Sphera aims to strengthen its presence through a stronger presence of independent media in regions where coverage of independent journalism and European affairs is scarce, notably in Southern and Eastern Europe. This initiative will foster new collaborations, promote diversity in storytelling, and address the underrepresentation of these regions in the broader European media landscape.
Participants will also be invited to attend the Sphera Media Lab in Brussels in November 2025 to showcase their work and meet Sphera’s media network.
If you want to apply, you can fill in this form.
What We Are Looking For?
We are searching for independent media outlets with experience in video reporting or documentary filmmaking who want to explore cross-border perspectives and share stories with a European focus. We’re particularly interested in media outlets that:
- Prioritise fact-checked, independent journalism
- Have a track record in producing high-quality journalism
- Are committed to covering social issues from a human-centered perspective
- Want to create stories that are original, innovative, and culturally relevant
Possible topics we are interested in are:
- Social issues (e.g. migration, identity, belonging…)
- Human rights (e.g. Gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, labour rights…)
- Cultural stories (e.g. Youth movements, social change, personal journeys…)
- Environmental issues (e.g. Climate change, sustainability, climate justice…)
Target Audience:
- European youth (aged 18-25)
- Interested in human-centered issues, with a moderate yet committed outlook on society and politics
Primarily active on digital platforms, including YouTube and social media
What are the eligibility Criteria?
You are eligible to apply if:
- You are based in one of the 27 European Union countries and Ukraine (excluding Belgium, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Spain)
- You produce information in one of these European languages (German, English, Bulgarian, Croatian, Danish, Estonian, Finnish, Irish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Maltese, Dutch, Portuguese, Romanian, Slovak, Slovene, Swedish, Czech, Ukrainian)
- You are an independent media outlet – no individuals are eligible for this call;
- You are committed to producing high-quality, fact-checked content;
- You share Sphera’s core values: democracy, human dignity, freedom, and respect for human rights;
- You have some experience in video production, but are looking to expand your editorial coverage with cross-border perspectives;
- Your content focuses on social issues, culture, youth,and/or the environment;
You target a young audience, specifically Gen Z.
How do we select the media for the Open Call?
12th July to 17th July: Pre-selection – Médianes will review applications based on eligibility and initial pitches
18th July: Expert Jury Evaluation – A panel of experts will assess the applications based on the following criteria:
- Originality and creativity (0-15 points)
- Editorial quality and journalistic integrity (0-20 points)
- Diversity and representation (0-15 points)
- Relevance and impact (0-20 points)
- Engagement and commitment (0-15 points)
- Cost-effectiveness (0-15 points)
18th July: Confirmation – The two selected media outlets will be notified and invited to formalise their participation.
21st July: Public Announcement – The results will be publicly shared with the media and the broader community.
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 contest. 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’s DG Connect Unit I3 (the grant giver) 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 winners 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].
How will the workflow work?
Once selected, the chosen media outlets will engage in a collaborative production process that includes:
- Two online workshops: One on editorial proposal refinement, and one video production quality.
- Mentorship: Each media will receive guidance from Sphera’s network members throughout the production process.
Provisional timeline:
- July: Introduction to Sphera editorial board, pitch presentation, and workshops
- August-September: Reporting, video editing, and regular check-ins with Médianes
- October: Final review of video and social media content, translation proofreading
October-November: Content publication and dissemination on Sphera channels and partner media platforms
How does budgeting and compensation work?
Each selected media outlet will receive up to €7,000 for the creation of the documentary and social media content, covering personal costs, production costs, equipment, travel (to Brussels for the Sphera Media Lab), and promotional efforts.
On the form to fill in, we will provide a budget template. You can also download the template here.
Dissemination and Visibility
All content will be subtitled in 7 languages and distributed across Sphera’s channels, including YouTube, website, and social media. Additional dissemination will occur via media partners, such as Médianes, and other external partners in the Sphera network.
Final Video and Social Media Assets will be widely shared and cross-promoted, ensuring maximum reach and impact.
We are expecting from you to participate with:
- One 1-minute YouTube short
- One 15-20 second teaser for social media
- Two Instagram Reels and two carousels
- Three backstage and behind-the-scenes posts on social media
Promotional content for the Sphera Media Lab event
If your media outlet is committed to independent journalism and wants to make a difference, we invite you to be part of something bigger. Join Sphera Network through the Open Call, take part in a transformative cross-border storytelling initiative. Stand with us.
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.
