Deadline: 01-Oct-2026
The Media Grants programme supports journalists, media professionals, freelancers, editorial offices, and media companies producing stories that present new perspectives on Sweden and Lithuania. The grant supports cross-border reporting, international media collaboration, cultural understanding, and public interest in bilateral relations. Funding is calculated through a formula based on the number of travellers, travel duration, and travel route, and typically covers travel and accommodation for up to five days.
Overview
The Media Grants programme supports journalistic and media productions that highlight new perspectives on Sweden and Lithuania.
The programme is designed to encourage reporting, storytelling, and media content that helps audiences in both countries better understand each other’s culture, society, cooperation, and bilateral relations.
It also supports previous project grant recipients who want to increase the visibility of their work through media activities.
Key Focus Areas
The funding opportunity focuses on journalism, media production, and cross-border storytelling.
Key focus areas include:
- Articles about Sweden and Lithuania
- Media content presenting new aspects of both countries
- Cross-border reporting
- International media collaboration
- Mutual cultural understanding
- Public interest in bilateral relations
- Visibility for previous project grant recipients
- High-quality storytelling
- Media engagement
- Publication planning
- Travel for reporting and content creation
- Accommodation support for media-related work
Purpose of the Programme
The purpose of the Media Grants programme is to vitalize, broaden, and renew public interest in Sweden and Lithuania.
The programme supports media projects that introduce fresh perspectives, deepen cultural understanding, and strengthen awareness of connections between the two countries.
It encourages media professionals to produce content that can reach public audiences through newspapers, magazines, broadcast media, digital platforms, podcasts, and major blogs.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to a wide range of media-related applicants.
Eligible applicants include:
- Individual journalists
- Editorial offices
- Media companies
- Freelancers
- Employed media professionals
- Previous project grant recipients seeking additional media visibility support
Applicants should be able to demonstrate professional media experience and present a clear plan for publishing or broadcasting the proposed content.
Eligible Media Outputs
The programme supports different types of journalistic and media content.
Eligible outputs may include:
- Newspaper articles
- Magazine features
- Radio programmes
- Television productions
- Podcasts
- Web television
- Major blogs
- Other media content with clear public reach
The proposed output should present new aspects of Sweden and Lithuania and contribute to wider public understanding.
Support for Previous Project Grant Recipients
Previous project grant recipients may apply for additional media support.
This support is intended to increase the visibility of previously supported work.
Applicants should clearly explain how the media activity will promote project outcomes, reach new audiences, or strengthen awareness of Sweden–Lithuania cooperation.
Funding Support
Funding is calculated using a formula.
The formula considers:
- Number of people travelling
- Duration of travel
- Route between the starting point and destination
The grant typically covers:
- Travel costs
- Accommodation costs
- Travel and accommodation for up to five days
The Fund Board may approve a lower amount than the calculated figure.
Possible adjustments may include:
- Reducing the number of funded participants
- Shortening the funded travel duration
- Suggesting alternative funding sources
- Adjusting the award based on project needs and available resources
What the Grant Can Support
The grant can support media-related travel and accommodation connected to Sweden–Lithuania reporting.
Eligible support may include:
- Travel for journalists or media professionals
- Accommodation during reporting trips
- Cross-border media production
- Research visits linked to a publication plan
- Reporting activities in Sweden or Lithuania
- Media work that strengthens public understanding between the two countries
- Media visibility activities for previously funded projects
The proposed activity should be directly linked to a clear media output.
Required Application Materials
Applicants are expected to submit a complete and well-structured application.
Required materials include:
- Sample of previous work
- Clear publication plan
- Description of the proposed media output
- Information about the travel route
- Number of people travelling
- Duration of travel
- Explanation of how the content will present new perspectives on Sweden and Lithuania
The publication plan should show where, how, and when the final media content will be published or broadcast.
Why It Matters
The Media Grants programme matters because journalism can strengthen understanding between countries and communities.
High-quality media content can introduce audiences to new social, cultural, artistic, historical, and contemporary perspectives.
By supporting cross-border reporting between Sweden and Lithuania, the programme helps increase public awareness, deepen bilateral relations, and encourage meaningful media collaboration.
How to Apply or Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should prepare a focused proposal that explains the story idea, media format, publication plan, audience, travel need, and public value.
Step 1: Define the Story Idea
Applicants should clearly describe the proposed media story or content idea.
The story should present a new, relevant, or underreported perspective on Sweden and Lithuania.
Step 2: Explain the Sweden–Lithuania Connection
The application should clearly show how the proposed content connects the two countries.
This may include:
- Cultural connections
- Social issues
- Bilateral cooperation
- Public interest themes
- Historical or contemporary links
- Shared challenges or opportunities
- Stories that help audiences better understand the other country
Step 3: Prepare a Publication Plan
Applicants should provide a clear publication or broadcast plan.
The plan should explain:
- Type of media output
- Intended media platform
- Publication or broadcast channel
- Target audience
- Expected publication date
- How the content will reach the public
Step 4: Submit a Work Sample
Applicants should include a sample of previous work.
The sample should demonstrate professional quality, media experience, storytelling ability, and suitability for the proposed project.
Step 5: Explain Travel Requirements
Applicants should explain why travel is necessary for the media production.
The application should include:
- Starting point
- Destination
- Travel route
- Number of people travelling
- Duration of travel
- Accommodation needs
- Link between travel and the proposed media output
Step 6: Show Public Value
The application should explain how the final output will benefit audiences.
Expected public value may include:
- New knowledge about Sweden or Lithuania
- Stronger cultural understanding
- Greater interest in bilateral relations
- Increased visibility for cooperation projects
- Better awareness of shared issues
- Wider public engagement with Sweden–Lithuania relations
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting unclear or incomplete proposals.
Common mistakes include:
- Not including a clear publication plan
- Forgetting to submit a sample of previous work
- Failing to explain the Sweden–Lithuania connection
- Proposing content without clear public relevance
- Not showing how the media output will reach audiences
- Requesting travel support without a clear reporting purpose
- Providing vague travel details
- Not explaining how the story presents a new perspective
- Assuming the full calculated grant amount will automatically be approved
- Submitting a project that does not fit journalistic or media production goals
Tips for a Strong Application
A strong application should be clear, story-driven, and publication-ready.
Useful tips include:
- Present a strong and specific story idea.
- Explain why the topic matters to audiences in Sweden or Lithuania.
- Show how the media content will strengthen mutual understanding.
- Provide a strong sample of previous work.
- Include a realistic publication plan.
- Justify the travel route and number of travellers.
- Explain how the content will be distributed.
- Highlight cross-border collaboration where relevant.
- Show how the project will renew public interest in bilateral relations.
- Make sure the proposed output fits an eligible media format.
FAQ
1. What is the Media Grants programme?
The Media Grants programme supports journalistic and media productions that present new perspectives on Sweden and Lithuania through cross-border reporting and content creation.
2. Who can apply?
Individual journalists, editorial offices, media companies, freelancers, and employed media professionals may apply.
3. What types of media outputs are eligible?
Eligible outputs include newspapers, magazines, radio, television, podcasts, web television, major blogs, and other public-facing media content.
4. What costs does the grant typically cover?
The grant typically covers travel and accommodation costs for up to five days.
5. How is the funding amount calculated?
Funding is calculated based on the number of people travelling, the duration of travel, and the route between the starting point and destination.
6. Can previous project grant recipients apply?
Yes. Previous project grant recipients may apply for additional media support to increase the visibility of their work.
7. Can the Fund Board approve a lower amount?
Yes. The Fund Board may approve a lower amount than calculated by reducing the number of participants, shortening the duration, or suggesting other funding sources.
Conclusion
The Media Grants programme provides valuable support for journalists and media professionals producing stories that deepen understanding between Sweden and Lithuania.
By supporting travel, accommodation, publication planning, and cross-border reporting, the programme helps strengthen cultural understanding, bilateral awareness, and public engagement. Strong applications should include a clear story idea, strong Sweden–Lithuania connection, realistic publication plan, previous work sample, justified travel needs, and clear public value.
For more information, visit Sweden-Lithuania Cooperation Fund.