The European Union has announced three new projects worth a total of 6.6 million euros to support independent media in Ukraine.
This was revealed by EU Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarína Mathernová, on October 9 during the Donbas Media Forum, as reported on the EU Delegation's website.
The new initiatives are focused on:
- addressing the urgent needs of media professionals operating in wartime,
- enhancing their security and resilience,
- and supporting Ukraine's path toward integration with the EU.
“Our goal is to strengthen Ukraine's ability to provide reliable and relevant information, ensure government accountability, and document the truth about Russia's aggressive war and its crimes,” the ambassador stated.
The projects funded by the EU include:
- 3 million euros for the project “Frontline and Investigative Media in Ukraine,” implemented by Internews International and the Media Development Foundation. This project will grant operational support to 40 frontline media outlets, specialized mentorship and training for 20 others, and institutional support for investigative journalist teams exposing corruption and war crimes.
- 2 million euros allocated for the project “Strengthening the Resilience of Independent, Free, and Pluralistic Media Ecosystem in Ukraine,” led by the organization “Reporters Without Borders.” This initiative aims to provide emergency support and protective gear to 400 journalists, promote sustainable media development through the “Trust in Journalism” initiative and the International Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukrainian Media, and advocate for the inclusion of media in Ukraine's recovery agenda.
- 1.65 million euros directed towards the project “Empowering Ukrainian Media for a Sustainable Future,” coordinated by the Institute of Mass Information and “Detector Media.” This project aims to strengthen regional and local media, counter disinformation, and provide legal, security, and professional support to over 500 journalists through 15 newly established regional media centers.
Since 2017, the EU has allocated over 110 million euros to support Ukrainian media, including 57.5 million euros provided since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
