For over a year, Médianes has been coordinating Sphera Network, a network of independent European media outlets collaborating on cross-border journalism and socially impactful content production. The network now brings together committed newsrooms across the continent: 444 (Hungary), El Salto (Spain), Popaganda (Greece), StreetPress (France), Krytyka Polityczna (Poland), VD News (Italy)… Together, these media outlets produce investigations, podcasts, videos and organize joint events, driven by a shared conviction: independent journalism is built better collectively and at continental scale.
This year, Sphera is taking a new step and opening its network to new partners. That's where the Media Collabs program comes in.
The Media Collabs Program: Breaking boundaries to amplify your impact
The Media Collabs program is a concrete eight-month support initiative from May to December 2026, designed for those who want to strengthen their influence and independence on a European scale.
What participants receive:
- 8 months of individual coaching (online) provided by a Sphera network member
- Two in-person trainings, in Paris in July 2026 and in Brussels in November 2026, with all costs covered
- Participation in the Sphera Media Lab, a one-day event in Brussels in November 2026
- Access to a network of committed European professionals: peer exchanges, visibility on Sphera channels and partner platforms
All travel and accommodation expenses are covered by Sphera.
→ Find all the information and application form, in English, on Sphera's website: spheranetwork.com/open-call
Who is this appeal intended for?
The program is for those who uphold an editorial stance committed to a fairer, more inclusive and sustainable society, aim for a young audience (18-25 years old), and have the desire to build narratives and models that resonate beyond their territory.
- For independent media, this requires regular activity for at least one year, an identifiable audience (web traffic, newsletter subscribers, reader community) and a business model aimed at editorial independence.
- For committed content creators, Sphera is looking for people who use their platforms to inform, question and engage their communities around social, environmental or democratic issues, relying on reliable sources and primarily addressing a young audience. A minimum of 10,000 regular subscribers or viewers on the main platform is required.
In both cases, candidates must be established in one of the 27 Member States of the European Union or in Ukraine, and produce content in an eligible European language, including French.
Core topics at Sphera
Sphera is particularly interested in content that addresses:
- Democracy and society: migration, identity, belonging, social cohesion
- Environment: climate change, climate justice, sustainability
- Human rights: gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, labor rights
- Freedom of the press: media pluralism, journalist protection, access to information
- Cultural and societal narratives: individual trajectories, social transformations
The format matters little: written, audio, video, newsletter, podcast, social media. What counts is perspective, independence, and the ability to reach young audiences wherever they are.
Apply before May 1st!
More information is available in English on Sphera's website, and applications must be submitted through the online form before May 1st.
Detailed calendar
- April 1 – May 1: Application submission period
- May 1 – 15: pre-selection based on eligibility criteria
- May 20: announcement of results by the Sphera jury
Learn more
About Médianes: Since 2020, Médianes has supported independent media in their editorial, strategic and economic development through a media outlet, a studio and a network. We have coordinated the Sphera network since 2024 as part of our commitment to independent and engaged journalism. Learn more about Médianes at medianes.org/a-propos/
About Sphera For 5 years, Sphera has been working toward pluralism and the viability of independent media, for a more united, inclusive and sustainable society in Europe. Coordinated by Médianes since 2024, the network brings together newsrooms committed to the continent — 444, El Salto, Popaganda, StreetPress, Krytyka Polityczna, VD News… — around concrete editorial collaborations: investigations, podcasts, videos and shared events. Learn more on spheranetwork.com
