Deadline: 26-Feb-2026
The Belgian Bridge Grant Programme by Journalismfund Europe provides collaborative funding for Dutch- and French-speaking Belgian journalists investigating local issues of national importance. Grants cover up to €50,000 per call and support multilingual publications, fostering cross-community dialogue and shared perspectives.
Purpose
The programme aims to support collaborative investigative journalism that bridges language communities in Belgium. By funding projects led jointly by Dutch- and French-speaking journalists, it seeks to strengthen connections between communities while addressing locally rooted issues with national relevance.
Eligibility
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Professional journalists legally residing in Belgium.
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Each team must include at least one Dutch-speaking journalist and one French-speaking journalist, or a bilingual journalist.
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Journalists must collaborate to produce investigations published in at least two Belgian media outlets, one in French and one in Dutch.
Grant Details
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Total funding per call: €50,000, with two calls planned.
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Funding may cover working time, logistics, travel, insurance, legal assistance, translations, and access to technology and datasets.
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Applications must include a proposal with a hypothesis, methodology, detailed budget, intended publication channels, and letters of intent from news outlets.
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Administrative documents must be uploaded through the online platform.
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Next application deadline: 26 February 2026, 13:00 CET.
Project Requirements
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Address locally rooted issues with broader national relevance.
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Ensure the local population can participate, using interviews, listening sessions, and public conversations.
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Promote multilingual journalism, reflecting both sides of the language border.
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Encourage reflection on differences in journalistic traditions, editorial expectations, and audience perspectives for added value.
Conclusion
The Belgian Bridge Grant Programme empowers journalists to collaborate across language communities, producing investigative work that highlights local perspectives while fostering national dialogue. By supporting multilingual projects and equitable dissemination, the programme strengthens community understanding, professional exchange, and the impact of investigative journalism in Belgium.
For more information, visit Journalismfund Europe.
