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Program of the International Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukrainian Media: Applications Now Open

The International Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukrainian Media (IFRUM), with the support of its partners—the Lviv Media Forum and DII-Ukraine—has opened applications for grants aimed at strengthening the sustainability of Ukrainian media. Applications are open until January 20, 2026.

Under this program, at least 22 editorial offices will receive financial support ranging from €5,000 to €20,000. The program is made possible through funding from the European Union, as part of the Reporters Without Borders (RSF)project in Ukraine. The program will run from February to August 2026.

Who can apply

Independent Ukrainian editorial offices may apply if they:

  • have a stable team or a clearly defined core team;
  • have the resources (specialists, experience, and competencies) to implement the proposed project and are ready to report on their activities;
  • produce high-quality, relevant content that serves the public interest;
  • adhere to journalistic standards and principles of editorial independence;
  • have a structured and realistic budget that aligns with the project’s objectives and demonstrates effective use of resources;
  • are focused on strategic development, innovation, and institutional change;
  • are willing to engage external experts to strengthen their work.

Funding may be used for basic institutional support (including salaries, rent, accounting services, and security measures), as well as for engaging experts in financial sustainability, operational processes, communications, legal support, and strategic or crisis planning.

Application evaluation criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  • development focus and strategic vision;
  • financial stability and economic efficiency;
  • editorial independence and content quality;
  • institutional capacity of the team;
  • innovation and adaptability.

The program organizers reserve the right to propose changes to the budget or review specific expense items at the application evaluation stage.

How to apply

To participate, please complete the application form at the link by January 20, 2026 (inclusive).

All applicants will be notified of the results no later than February 15, 2026.

The International Fund for the Reconstruction of Ukrainian Media (IFRUM) is an initiative of Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and Ukrainian media organizations, including the Lviv Media Forum, the Institute of Mass Information, Detector Media, DII-Ukraine, Window of Recovery, the Media Development Foundation, the Association of Independent Regional Publishers of Ukraine, and Public Broadcasting. The program is implemented with financial support from the European Union as part of the RSF project in Ukraine.