Canal France International (CFI) has opened a new €90,000 funding opportunity for independent media organisations in Moldova, with the aim of strengthening quality journalism and supporting efforts to counter disinformation.
The call for projects is being implemented under CFI’s Strengthening Democratic Media in the Black Sea Region initiative and is designed to help independent Moldovan media produce accurate, accessible and public-interest information.
According to CFI, the funding will support journalistic projects that address areas where misleading or unverified information is circulating. Priority will be given to content that responds to the information needs of local communities, including rural, underserved and minority-language audiences.
CFI says the indicative total funding available under the call is €90,000. Individual grants must range from a minimum of €22,000 to a maximum of €30,000.
In addition to financial support, successful applicants will receive technical assistance aimed at strengthening their editorial and organisational capacity.
The support may include training in fact-checking, verification techniques, open-source intelligence (OSINT), investigative journalism and editorial practices. Selected media organisations will also receive assistance focused on revenue diversification, digital growth, audience development, SEO and monetisation strategies.
Applicants must be legally established in the Republic of Moldova and must be directly responsible for managing the proposed project. Media organisations that received funding under the previous CFI call under the same project are not eligible to apply.
Proposed projects can cover areas such as fact-checking, investigative journalism, production of journalistic content, new media formats, translation or adaptation for minority-language audiences and community-focused dissemination.
Projects may address issues including public policy, democratic values, accountability, transparency, anti-corruption, gender equality, local governance and Moldova's relationship with the European Union.