As the European Union negotiates the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), its long-term budget for 2028-2034, the EBU and over 100 media organisations have come together to highlight how Europe’s democratic resilience depends on sustained and strategic investment in Europe’s public-interest information ecosystem.

In its proposal for the future MFF, the European Commission has put forward a new programme: AgoraEU. This new programme is dedicated to culture, media and civil society, acknowledging the role these sectors play in shaping democracy and societal resilience. It introduces a dedicated Media+ strand of €3.2B, which will support the audiovisual and news sectors, strengthening the resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of Europe’s media landscape. This new proposal from the European Commission not only streamlines and structures media funding but also proposes a substantial increase in its support.

AgoraEU must maintain its focus and deliver its intended impact through robust and effective investments in media. To truly drive innovation and enhance competitiveness in the sector, it is crucial to foster synergies between AgoraEU and other EU funding mechanisms, such as the EU Competitiveness Fund and Horizon Europe. These partnerships can help drive technological innovation in media, enabling the creation of new formats and services that serve the public interest and strengthen Europe’s democratic foundations.

See our joint letter to the right.