Freedom of Expression and Media

The European Commission is providing an Action Grant through the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance to support freedom of expression and media in Albania, with a total budget of €1,200,000. This call, designated as EuropeAid/185778/DD/ACT/AL, opened for submissions on January 30, 2026, and will accept proposals until March 17, 2026.

Eligible applicants include a variety of organizations such as media outlets, civil society organizations, research institutions, and professional associations focused on media and journalism. The funding will facilitate operational activities that promote press freedom, protect journalists, combat disinformation, and enhance media literacy.

The application process involves a two-stage submission: an initial Concept Note followed by a Full Application for those whose proposals qualify. Interested parties must consult the Guidelines for Applicants and associated documents, which include detailed forms and additional information regarding eligibility criteria.

Beneficiaries will receive financial support, limited to a maximum of 95% of eligible project costs, necessitating a minimum co-funding of 5% from applicants. The funding aims to foster a diverse and independent media environment in Albania. Specific documentation available includes application forms and budget templates, necessary for preparing competitive proposals.

It is essential for applicants to review all guidelines thoroughly to ensure compliance with submission requirements and criteria. The initiative is aligned with the EU's broader goals of enhancing democratic resilience and upholding fundamental rights in candidate countries.

The European Commission is offering an Action Grant under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance program to support Freedom of Expression and Media in Albania. The call with reference number EuropeAid/185778/DD/ACT/AL is open for submissions.

The total budget allocated to this call is 1,200,000 EUR.

The call was published on January 30, 2026, and updated on the same day. The deadline for submissions is March 17, 2026.

The following documents are available for download:

Guidelines for Applicants (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex A2 FA application form (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex A1 Concept Note application form (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex B Budget (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex C Logical framework (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex F PADOR offline registration form (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex G Standard grant contract (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex H Declaration of honour on exclusion and selection criteria (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex J Information on the tax regime applicable to grant contracts (January 30, 2026, in English)
Annex L Self-evaluation questionnaire on SEA-H (January 30, 2026, in English)
e-Calls PADOR privacy statement (January 30, 2026, in English)

The call focuses on supporting freedom of expression and media in Albania through action grants. The funding is provided under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, which aims to support countries in their preparations to join the European Union. Interested applicants should carefully review the Guidelines for Applicants and all relevant annexes to understand the specific requirements, eligibility criteria, and application procedures. The documents provide detailed information on how to prepare and submit a competitive proposal, including the concept note, full application form, budget, and logical framework. Applicants must also comply with the exclusion and selection criteria outlined in the Declaration of Honour. The PADOR offline registration form is required for registration in the Potential Applicant Data Online Registration database.

Eligible Applicant Types: The document does not explicitly state the eligible applicant types. Further information would be needed from the Guidelines for Applicants or other documentation to determine eligibility.

Funding Type: The funding type is Action Grants.

Consortium Requirement: The document does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. The Guidelines for Applicants would need to be consulted to determine this.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographical zone for this opportunity is Albania.

Target Sector: The target sector is Freedom of Expression and Media.

Mentioned Countries: Albania is the only country explicitly mentioned.

Project Stage: The document does not explicitly state the expected maturity of the project. The Guidelines for Applicants would need to be consulted to determine this.

Funding Amount: The budget for this opportunity is 1,200,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by "Open For Submission".

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money, as it is an Action Grant.

Application Stages: The document does not explicitly state the number of application stages. The presence of both a Concept Note application form (Annex A1) and a Full Application form (Annex A2) suggests at least a two-stage process.

Success Rates: The document does not provide information on success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: The document does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. The Guidelines for Applicants would need to be consulted to determine this.

Summary:

This is an Action Grant opportunity under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, focusing on Freedom of Expression and Media in Albania. The total budget is 1,200,000 EUR. The call is open for submission with a deadline of March 17, 2026. Applicants need to consult the Guidelines for Applicants and other provided annexes (including application forms, budget templates, logical framework, and standard grant contract) for detailed instructions and eligibility criteria. The application process likely involves at least two stages: a concept note and a full application. The PADOR offline registration form suggests that applicants may need to register in the Participant Register. Further details regarding eligible applicant types, consortium requirements, project stage expectations, co-funding requirements, and success rates can be found in the Guidelines for Applicants. The opportunity aims to support projects that promote and protect freedom of expression and media in Albania.