Commission makes pound 13.8 million available for cross-border journalism partnerships and pluralism
The European Commission has made a total of pound 13.8 million available for cross-border journalism collaboration and media pluralism through the sixth annual call for proposals, under the Creative Europe programme.
Part of the funding comes via a call to fund journalism collaborations and support news media partnerships across borders. It aims to boost the resilience of the European news media sector as it faces multiple challenges, including the financial sustainability of professional journalism. The available budget for this call is pound 6.9 million, with a maximum of pound 2 million per two-year project.
The second dimension of the call supports media pluralism and is open to organisations that can act as intermediaries to set up and distribute funding to local and regional media, community media, investigative journalism, or media specialised in public interest news. The available budget for this call is pound 6.9 million, with a maximum of pound 2.5 million per two-year project.
With readers shifting to online news sources, traditional media struggle, jeopardising many smaller, independent media organisations. Support is thus needed for them to improve their position, adapt their methods, continue providing a first-hand source of original reporting to citizens, help keep decision-makers accountable and ultimately contribute to a more diverse and independent media sector.
Both calls remain open until 4 February 2026.
Building societal resilience, supporting media literacy and independent journalism is part of the Commission’s wider effort to empower Europeans to make informed decisions and to participate actively in democratic processes. It will also be a central part of the upcoming European Democracy Shield, as announced in the 2025 State of the Union Address by President von der Leyen.
Commission signs UN Convention to step up the fight against cybercrime
The European Commission has signed the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime on behalf of the EU in Hanoi, Viet Nam.
The fight against cybercrime is a priority for the EU. Cybercrime knows no borders; it can create disruption of essential services, financial losses for individuals and businesses, and it can compromise personal and sensitive information.
The convention enhances the EU’s ability to fight cybercrime together with international partners. It enables international cooperation with and between those 115 UN Member States that are not parties to the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime. It thus fills an important gap in combating crimes with global reach.
It sets global standards to prevent and combat cybercrime and steps up international cooperation in this area, while ensuring that fundamental rights are effectively safeguarded. It criminalises harmful acts, including child sexual abuse, online fraud and ransomware attacks. It includes measures for the extradition of suspects and the exchange of electronic evidence, as well as for the criminalisation of cyber-related offences. It also supports law enforcement cooperation and strengthens capacity building across the globe.
Between 2019 and 2024, the European Commission negotiated the convention on behalf of the EU and its Member States. On 24 December 2024, the UN General Assembly adopted the final text. Following a proposal by the Commission, the Council authorised the EU to sign the convention on 13 October 2025.
Following the signature, the Council will discuss and decide on the conclusion of the convention, which would also require the consent of the European Parliament. Member States would sign and ratify it in accordance with their national procedures. The convention will enter into force once it is ratified by 40 countries.
Commissioner Dombrovskis in Romania for high-level economic discussions
Valdis Dombrovskis, Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, Implementation and Simplification, is in Bucharest for a two-day visit to discuss Romania’s fiscal and economic developments, the implementation of the country’s recovery and resilience plan, and key EU policy priorities. During the visit, the Commissioner will engage with Romanian authorities, the National Bank, and members of the Parliament.
Today, Commissioner Dombrovskis will visit a project funded by Romania’s recovery and resilience plan together with Drago? Pîslaru, Romania’s Minister of Investments and European Projects. The Commissioner will then hold a meeting with Mugur Isarescu, Governor of the National Bank, together with its board members.
Tomorrow, Commissioner Dombrovskis will meet Nicusor Dan, President of Romania, Ilie Bolojan, Prime Minister, and Alexandru Nazare, Minister of Finance. The meeting will be followed by a joint press conference with participation of Commissioner Dombrovskis and Prime Minister Bolojan. The visit will conclude with the Commissioner exchanging views with members of the Romanian Parliament in the joint meeting of committees on budget and EU affairs.