The programme, supported by the King Baudouin Foundation and administered by Journalismfund Europe, offers financial support to teams of journalists who want to dig into local issues that resonate across Belgium's language divide — and tell those stories to audiences on both sides.
What the Grant Covers
Successful applicants can receive funding to cover a range of project costs, including working time, logistics, legal assistance, insurance, and access to technology and data sets. Applications must include a clear hypothesis, a proposed investigative methodology, and a detailed budget.
A key condition of the grant is that the resulting journalism must be published in at least two Belgian media outlets — one in French and one in Dutch — in equivalent formats and, where possible, simultaneously.
Who Should Apply
The programme is open to journalists based in Belgium who are interested in forming or joining a bilingual team. Projects must address issues rooted in local communities that also carry broader national relevance. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a participatory approach, giving local populations a voice through interviews, listening sessions, public conversations, or similar formats.
Teams are also encouraged to reflect on what they stand to learn from each other — whether that means different reporting traditions, editorial cultures, or audience perspectives — as this cross-community exchange is central to the programme's goals.
Matchmaking & How to Apply
We are launching a new WhatsApp group to facilitate matchmaking between journalists interested in applying.
Additionally tips and recommendations are available on our website. Full details on eligibility, evaluation criteria, the application schedule, and grant conditions can be found on our application portal.
Applicants are advised to ensure all required information and documents — including ID, CVs, and letters of intent (LOIs) — are included at the time of submission, as incomplete applications will be considered inadmissible.
For questions or to discuss a project idea, Journalismfund Europe can be reached by phone at +32 2 705 59 19, by email at beb@journalismfund.eu, or via a scheduled video call.
