THE “SUPPORT TO MEDIA FREEDOM – STRONG SOLIDARITY, STRONG MEDIA” PROJECT

(IPA III/2024/453-410)

(2025-2029)

Funded by the European Union

The “Support to Media Freedom – Strong Solidarity, Strong Media” project is implemented in partnership by the Journalists’ Union of Turkey (TGS), the Journalists’ Association (GC), and the İzmir Journalists’ Association (İGC).

The overall objective of the project is to strengthen media pluralism by supporting media professionals, investigative journalists, bloggers and social media outside the mainstream media, mainly TV and radio, in their watchdog functions.

Its specific objectives are :

(i). Strengthened advocacy and dialogue between media, civil society actors and other key stakeholders at local and international level and

(ii). Enhanced ability and solidarity of journalists to carry out their work.

Within the scope of the project:

• Monitoring and reporting on the media environment and conducting press freedom campaigns;
• Carrying out dialogue and advocacy activities with national and international stakeholders;
• Providing legal support to journalists (trial monitoring, prison visits, legal assistance, and strategic litigation support);

For the legal support ; [email protected]

Providing support to enhance journalists’ professional sustainability and resilience (support on professional rights and psychological counselling);

For the psychological counselling ; [email protected]

• Organising capacity-building training programmes for journalists (Press Academies and Mobile Press Vehicle training programmes);
• Providing financial support to journalists, media civil society organisations, and media outlets.

In order to promote media pluralism, support will be provided to journalists, media NGOs and media outlets through Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), which will be divided into two categories.

1) Under Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), “editorial support” will be provided to unemployed journalists or freelancers to help them produce original content.

2) Another type of support to be provided under the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) is ‘Micro Grants (in kind) Support programme’- the Press House Support Mechanism.  This will support journalists, media NGOs and media outlets to sustain their existence and reach their target audiences through the production of original content. These efforts will make a significant contribution to media pluralism in Türkiye.

Click here for the TGS Editorial Support Programme  ( https://tgs.org.tr/telif-destek-programi-basladi/ ) 

Click here for the GC Press House Support Instrument (BEDA) Programme  (https://gc-tr.org/basin-evi-destek-araci-yeni-donem-basvurulara-acildi/) 

Background of the Project

According to the European Commission’s 2020 Civil Society Facility and Media Programme, adopted under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II), a free and pluralistic media serves to reflect the diverse nature of society and thereby promotes civic development, dialogue, and tolerance.

The media’s ability to critically scrutinise political processes ensures transparency and helps governments remain committed to predictable policies that are free from the influence of narrow interest groups. In terms of freedom of expression, press freedom, and media pluralism—fundamental elements on Türkiye’s path towards EU accession—the country continues to require substantial support.

According to the Reporters Without Borders (RSF) 2023 World Press Freedom Index, Türkiye ranked 165th out of 180 countries, down from 149th in 2022.

As stated under the chapter on Freedom of Expression in the European Commission’s 2023 Country Report:

“Türkiye is still at an early stage in this area, and the serious backsliding observed in recent years has continued.”

Unfortunately, Türkiye continues to face significant shortcomings in the areas of media pluralism and press freedom. Accordingly, one of the European Commission’s recommendations for the coming year is to ensure a safe and pluralistic media environment.

 

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Press House Support Instrument (BEDA) Applications Are Now Open

Applications are now being accepted for the Press House Support Instrument (BEDA) under the Support to Media Freedom Project, implemented by the Journalists’ Association with the financial support of the European Union.

During the application period, which will remain open for approximately 40 days, applications that meet the objectives of BEDA will be accepted.

To apply for BEDA and to obtain detailed information, please click here. (https://gc-tr.org/basin-evi-destek-araci-yeni-donem-basvurulara-acildi/)

The purpose of this support is to enable beneficiaries to produce original and high-quality journalistic content, continue their journalistic activities, and reach their target audiences. In doing so, the programme aims to contribute to the development of an enabling environment for media pluralism.

Micro Grants (In-kind) Support Programme

Under the Micro Grants (In-kind) Support Programme, in-kind support will be provided to journalists, media NGOs, and media organisations without requiring legal entity status. The support may include technical equipment, digital tools, and other essential resources.

The value of the in-kind support will range from EUR 2,500 to EUR 20,000. A maximum of 50 journalists, media NGOs, and media organisations will benefit from the programme.

Considering the challenges currently faced by the media sector, applicants will not be required to provide co-financing.

BEDA Priorities

Priority will be given to applications submitted by:

• Freelance journalists who have been dismissed or forced out of the profession and who are not employed under a press labour contract by any media organisation;
• Existing independent alternative media outlets that produce original news content and contribute to media pluralism;
• Media NGOs working to strengthen media independence and support journalists.

As indicated in the Evaluation Criteria, applications submitted by these priority groups will receive an additional five (5) points during the evaluation process.

Application Procedure

Applications to BEDA must be submitted through the online application system.

Applicants are required to register through the registration section of mis.media4democracy.org and submit their applications via this online platform.

Applicants may send questions regarding the application process to [email protected] until one week before the application deadline.

For the first application period, all questions must be submitted no later than 31 December 2025 at 17:00 to [email protected].

Application Documents

For detailed information about the Press House Support Instrument (BEDA), please review the following guidelines and annexes:

• Press House Support Instrument (BEDA) Guidelines
• Annex 1: European Press Freedom Charter
• Annex 2: Journalists’ Association Editorial Principles
• Annex 3: Evaluation Criteria
• Annex 4: Evaluation Committee Notification Form
• Annex 5: Application Form Completion Guidelines
• Annex 6: Application Guidelines – Evaluation Process

Annex 7: Help Desk Guidelines