Media Launch of the Vienna Media Initiative
Funding for freelance journalists and small media companies in Vienna to bring new media projects to market with up to €10,000 in support and a 75% funding rate. Submissions from 31.01.2024 to 31.10.2025.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Support in developing business management and journalistic expertise as well as in the founding and economic establishment of independent media companies and journalistic formats in Vienna.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Travel expenses
- Training and further education
- External services and consulting
Eligible to apply
- Founders
- Companies
Funding requirements
- Self-employed journalists or media companies based in Vienna
- Project volume between €2,000 and €10,000
- Submission before project start
- Proof of De-minimis declaration
- Media companies with fewer than 10 employees
Documents required for application
- Fully completed online funding application
- Certificate of authenticity of the application
- De minimis declaration
- Annual financial statement or income-expenditure account
- Curricula vitae of all project participants
Evaluation criteria
- Journalistic quality
- Innovation potential
- Adequate project planning
Description
With the Medienstart funding program of the Vienna Media Initiative, the Vienna Business Agency supports freelance journalists and small media companies based in Vienna in bringing innovative media formats to market readiness and professionalization. The aim of the initiative is to build business and journalistic expertise as well as to establish independent projects in a sustainable market. Participants benefit from coaching, networking opportunities, and integration into the Vienna Media Initiative Lab, which provides mandatory project support following funding approval.
The program grants a subsidy of up to €10,000 per project with a funding rate of 75%. Eligible applicants are freelancers and companies with fewer than ten employees whose project volume ranges between €2,000 and €10,000. Eligible expenses include personnel costs, travel expenses, training and further education, as well as external services and consulting. The maximum duration is 18 months. Each submission is evaluated by an independent jury based on journalistic quality, innovation potential, and adequate project planning. The submission period extends from January 31, 2024, to October 31, 2025, with four deadlines on January 15, April 30, July 31, and October 31, 2025. Requirements include a De-minimis declaration, a fully completed online application, and current financial documents prior to project commencement.