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European VOD networks and operators

CREA-MEDIA-2026-VODNETOpenCall for Proposal16 hours ago16 hours agoApril 8th, 2026September 30th, 2025

Overview

The European Commission is offering a call for proposals titled "European VOD Networks and Operators (CREA-MEDIA-2026-VODNET)" under the Creative Europe Programme. This initiative primarily aims to support European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators that significantly screen non-national European works. The objective is to enhance their competitiveness and visibility in the market.

The call is currently open for applications and follows a single-stage deadline model with applications due by April 8, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The total budget allocated for this funding opportunity is EUR 8,000,000.

Eligible applicants include VOD service providers in Europe, with a focus on enhancing the online presence of European audiovisual content across borders. Applicants may submit proposals as either single entities or as part of a consortium. The actions funded will involve collaborative initiatives aimed at increasing the visibility, discoverability, and overall appeal of European VOD services and content.

Key expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call include strengthening cross-border collaboration among VOD platforms, increasing audiences for European content, and developing new sustainable business models. Moreover, projects should address the themes of sustainability, gender balance, and inclusion.

The application process is straightforward and requires proposals to be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Successful applications will be evaluated between April and August 2026, with grant agreements anticipated to be signed by January 2027. Detailed guidelines and conditions are outlined in the call document, which applicants must review closely.

Overall, this funding opportunity represents a significant investment in strengthening the European audiovisual landscape, emphasizing the importance of collaboration and innovation in the digital age.

Detail

The European Commission is offering a call for proposals under the Creative Europe Programme (CREA) named "European VOD Networks and Operators (CREA-MEDIA-2026-VODNET)". The type of action is CREA-PJG CREA Project Grants, utilizing a CREA Action Grant Budget-Based [CREA-AG] model grant agreement. The call is currently open for submission and follows a single-stage deadline model.

The objective of this call is to support European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators that screen a significant proportion of non-national European works. The aim is to improve their competitiveness and attractiveness.

The expected results include:
1. Strengthened cross-border collaboration among European Video On Demand (VOD) platforms through joint/collaborative activities to increase the online audience of European audiovisual content.
2. Strengthened attractiveness of eligible European Video On Demand (VOD) platforms for cross-border audiences and online consumption at a larger scale.
3. Improved digital circulation and consumption of European content by boosting its visibility, discoverability, and prominence.
4. Development of new business models and achievement of cross-border economies of scope and scale.

The activities to be funded involve joint/collaborative actions across borders. These actions should aim to improve the competitiveness and attractiveness of European VOD platforms that offer a significant proportion of non-national European audiovisual works. The goal is also to increase the accessibility, visibility, discoverability, and prominence of European content for a wider global audience (European and international).

Applications should present strategies to ensure a more sustainable and environmentally-respectful industry. They should also address gender balance, inclusion, diversity, and representativeness.

Key dates for this call are:
Publication of the call: 30 SEPTEMBER 2025.
Deadline for submitting applications: 08 APRIL 2026 17:00 (Brussels time).
Evaluation period: APRIL - AUGUST 2026.
Information to applicants: SEPTEMBER 2026.
Signature of grant agreement: JANUARY 2027.

The total budget allocated to this topic is EUR 8,000,000.

Conditions for application include:
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout are described in the call document and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
2. Eligible Countries are described in the call document.
3. Other Eligible Conditions are described in the call document.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are described in the call document.
5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in the call document.
5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in the call document.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in the call document.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants are described in the call document.

Applicants can find the following documents and annexes useful:
Call document
Application form templates:
Standard application form (CREA MEDIA) available in the Submission System
Information on subscriptions, revenue, and catalogue (CREA MEDIA VODNET)
Information on independence and ownership control (CREA MEDIA)
Model Grant Agreements (MGA):
CREA MGA
Additional documents:
Guide for applicants
CREA Annual Work Programmes
CREA Regulation 2021/818
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

There are partner search announcements available, allowing LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants to publish partner requests.

To submit a proposal, applicants should access the Electronic Submission Service via the Funding & Tenders Portal. They should select the appropriate type of action and model grant agreement.

For help related to this call, applicants can contact their local Creative Europe desk or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency. Additional resources include the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, the IT Helpdesk for technical issues, and the Online Manual for a step-by-step guide.

In summary, this call for proposals aims to bolster the European Video on Demand sector by providing funding for collaborative projects that enhance the competitiveness, attractiveness, and accessibility of European audiovisual content. It encourages VOD platforms to work together across borders to reach wider audiences, develop sustainable business models, and promote European cultural diversity. Applicants should carefully review the call documents and ensure their proposals align with the objectives and conditions outlined. The call emphasizes the importance of sustainability, environmental responsibility, gender balance, inclusion, and diversity within the proposed projects.

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Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a CREA Project Grant (CREA-PJG) and a CREA Action Grant Budget-Based [CREA-AG].

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for joint/collaborative actions across borders, suggesting a consortium is required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is focused on European entities, with an emphasis on supporting European audiovisual works and platforms, and targeting a wider global audience (European and international).

Target Sector: The target sector is the audiovisual industry, specifically focusing on Video on Demand (VOD) platforms and the distribution of European content.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators, implying eligibility for entities within the EU and potentially other countries participating in the Creative Europe Programme.

Project Stage: The project stage is focused on improving the competitiveness and attractiveness of existing VOD platforms, suggesting projects are in the development, validation, or scale-up stage.

Funding Amount: The total budget for the topic CREA-MEDIA-2026-VODNET is EUR 8,000,000. The indicative number of grants is not specified in the provided text.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of grants.

Application Stages: The application process is single-stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not specified in the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: The co-funding requirement is not specified in the provided text.

Summary:

This opportunity, titled "European VOD Networks and Operators (CREA-MEDIA-2026-VODNET)," is a call for proposals under the Creative Europe Programme (CREA). It aims to support European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators by providing grants to improve their competitiveness and attractiveness. The primary objective is to promote non-national European audiovisual works, increase their accessibility, visibility, discoverability, and prominence for both European and international audiences.

The call encourages joint/collaborative actions across borders to strengthen cross-border collaboration among European VOD platforms and increase the online audience of European audiovisual content. It also seeks to develop new business models and achieve cross-border economies of scope and scale.

Eligible applicants are European VOD networks and operators. The application process is a single-stage open call, with the deadline for submitting applications on April 8, 2026. The total budget for this topic is EUR 8,000,000.

Applicants are expected to present strategies to ensure a more sustainable and environmentally-respectful industry, as well as to promote gender balance, inclusion, diversity, and representativeness. The evaluation process will take place between April and August 2026, with information to applicants provided in September 2026, and the signature of grant agreements expected in January 2027.

To apply, applicants must use the Electronic Submission Service via the Funding & Tenders Portal. They should carefully review all provisions and guidelines provided in the call document, application form templates, and other additional documents. Support is available through local Creative Europe desks and the European Education and Culture Executive Agency.

Short Summary

Impact
This funding aims to support European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators to enhance their competitiveness and attractiveness, increase the accessibility and visibility of European audiovisual works, and promote cross-border collaboration.
Applicant
Applicants should possess expertise in the audiovisual sector, particularly in managing VOD platforms, and demonstrate the ability to implement joint collaborative actions across borders.
Developments
The funding will support projects focused on improving the digital circulation and consumption of European content, developing new business models, and achieving economies of scale in the VOD sector.
Applicant Type
This funding is designed for European Video on Demand (VOD) networks and operators, including both consortiums of VOD services and individual platforms operating in multiple countries.
Consortium
The opportunity allows for both consortium and single applicant approaches, depending on geographic coverage.
Funding Amount
The total budget for this call is €8,000,000 for 2026.
Countries
The funding is relevant for countries participating in the MEDIA strand of the Creative Europe Programme, which typically includes EU member states and associated countries.
Industry
This funding targets the audiovisual and media sector, specifically focusing on Video on Demand (VOD) platforms and the distribution of European content.