The news media sector — printed and online press, radio, and audiovisual services — and the audiovisual entertainment sector — cinema, TV, video streaming, video games and innovative formats such as virtual reality experiences.
The MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe programme supports the European film and audiovisual industries to develop, distribute and promote European works, taking into account today’s digital environment.
In addition it
- encourages cooperation across the value chain of the audiovisual industry and at EU level in order to scale up enterprises and European content globally
- nurtures talents – wherever they come from – and facilitates knowledge-sharing
- supports innovative solutions to meet the market demands and trends
- engages with audiences of all ages, especially the younger generations
REGISTER HERE for MEDIA Training Sessions: on 3rd November and 17th November
MEDIA Calls 2026
Please note that two of the new calls have deadlines in December 2025 – European Slate Development and TV & Online Content will close on 3rd December.
- European Slate Development | 3rd December 2025
- TV + Online Content | 3rd December 2025
- Video Games & Immersive Content | 11th February 2026
- European Co-development | 26th February 2026
- Markets & Networking | 20th January 2026
- Innovative Tools & Business Models | 16th January 2026
- European VOD Networks & Operators | 8th April 2026
Priorities in 2026
The priorities of the new College of Commissioners provide a special role for culture and media. These priorities include protecting democracy, boosting societal resilience, upholding values and safeguarding the rule of law.
Creative Europe will keep on contributing to the EU’s overarching priorities to support
- the greening efforts
- the digital transition of the cultural and creative sectors
- inclusion and gender equality practices
- the role of culture in the EU international relations
Funding is provided though 3 strands.
Culture strand
The call for European cooperation projects, with a budget of €60 million, will be published in the first quarter of 2026 and will be open to small-scale and medium-scale projects.
The call for the Circulation of European literary works will be published in autumn 2025.
3 new calls for proposals will be introduced:
- the third edition of Perform Europe for 2026-2027
- the implementation of the European Heritage Label until 2029
- a new action based on the model of the European Spaces of Culture
Support to cultural prizes, networks, platforms, Pan-European cultural entities and to Creative Europe’s mobility scheme, Culture Moves Europe, will continue.
MEDIA strand
Several funding actions have been adapted, drawing on the experience gained in implementation and responding to market trends.
Support of high-quality content
- European Slate Development
- European Mini-Slate Development
- European Co-development
- Video Games & Immersive content development
Support of business collaborations
- European Film Distribution
- European Film Sales
- Innovative tools and business models
- MEDIA Stand
Support of reaching wider audiences
- Network of European Cinemas
- Films on the move
- Networks of European festivals
- VOD Networks and Operators
- Subtitling cultural content
Other actions remain unchanged.
Business cluster
- Talent and skills
- Markets and Networking
Policy support
- European Board for Media Services (EMFA)
- European Audiovisual Observatory (EAO) membership and cooperation
- Communication and engagement
- Audience outreach and awareness campaigns
- MEDIA Carbon Calculator renewalMediaInvest
Cross-sectoral strand
Actions adjusted
- Creative Innovation Lab
- Media Literacy
Actions unchanged
- Journalism Partnerships
- Media Pluralism Monitor
- European Board for Media Services
