EU Strengthens Support for Ukraine’s Independent Journalism
The European Union has announced a new package of support worth €6.6 million to enhance the resilience of independent media and journalists in Ukraine.
The initiative was unveiled during the Donbas Media Forum, which took place from October 9 to 11, with participation from the EU Delegation to Ukraine.
EU Ambassador Katarina Maternova emphasized that the new programs aim to empower Ukrainian journalists to continue their essential mission under wartime conditions.
“Our goal is to help the media inform society, expose corruption, and record the truth about the war.
We support independent journalism as a critically important element of a democratic society,”
— said Maternova.
Three Strategic Initiatives
The EU funding will be distributed through three large-scale programs, each focused on different aspects of media resilience and professional development.
1. Support for Frontline and Investigative Media — €3 million
Implemented by Internews International and the Media Development Fund, this project will provide:
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Grants, mentorship, and training to 40 editorial offices;
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Special support for investigative teams covering corruption and war crimes in Russia;
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Assistance for media outlets operating in frontline and de-occupied regions.
2. Reporters Without Borders Program — €2 million
This initiative will focus on the safety and sustainability of Ukrainian journalists:
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Support for 400 media professionals;
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Supply of protective gear and equipment;
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Expansion of the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI);
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Strengthening of the International Fund for the Restoration of Ukrainian Media (IFRUM).
3. Media Hubs and Anti-Disinformation Projects — €1.6 million
Implemented by the Institute of Mass Information and Detector Media, this project will:
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Create 15 regional media hubs across Ukraine;
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Support over 500 journalists;
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Develop local counter-disinformation programs to promote media literacy and fact-checking.
Background: Media Under Pressure
The EU’s new initiatives come amid growing financial challenges for Ukraine’s independent media.
According to Mykyta Poturayev, head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Humanitarian and Information Policy, up to half of independent Ukrainian media outlets risk closure due to reduced foreign funding — particularly following the U.S. decision to cut 83% of USAID programs.
By stepping in, the European Union aims to prevent a collapse of the independent media landscape, ensuring continued access to verified information and safeguarding democratic discourse during wartime.
