By Coimisiún na Meán
Coimisiún na Meán has opened applications for a share of €100,000 in funding to support media literacy initiatives aimed at combating disinformation.
Media and community-based organisations have until 9 October next to apply under the new funding call, which forms part of the National Counter Disinformation Strategy (NCDS).
The 3 September funding announcement marks the second time this year Coimisiún na Meán has made financial support available for media literacy activities in line with the NCDS.
Published in April 2025, the NCDS highlights the promotion of media literacy and core critical skills ‘as an important mechanism of countering disinformation’.
As part of budget 2026, €1.1 million was allocated to support the implementation of the government’s disinformation strategy.
This covers initiatives including research and education, media literacy, fact checking as well as pre-bunking expertise that warns people about false narratives and manipulation techniques.
The Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Micro Fund and Innovation Fund will provide up to €100,000 of support. Funding is divided into two separate strands that facilitate a range of projects, big and small.
Strand A is the Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Micro Fund. It provides micro-grants for community-based media literacy activities, with grants ranging from €500 up to a maximum of €3,000 per application.
Applications are welcome from organisations and bodies embedded within communities. These include community and voluntary groups, broadband coordinators in local authorities, local action groups and community training programmes.
Funding received should be used to develop, facilitate, enhance or deliver in-person media literacy activities at a local or community level.
Strand B is the Media Literacy Countering Disinformation Innovation Fund. It provides grants to collaborative innovation projects up to a maximum of €25,000 per application.
It’s intended for applications from any consortium of two or more bodies. Funding received should be used to counter disinformation through media literacy activities at regional or national levels.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán, said: ‘Through our Media Literacy and Countering Disinformation Micro Funds, Coimisiún na Meán wants to empower people to make informed media choices.’
He added: ‘We welcome proposals from community-based organisations who can deliver enhanced media literacy initiatives to support the public to safely and confidently participate in online environments or from consortiums of two or more bodies for innovative media literacy initiatives targeting regional or national audiences.’
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 9 October 2026. Find out whether your initiative is eligible and how to apply on the Coimisiún na Meán website. A webinar for prospective applicants will take place on MS Teams at 12 noon on Wednesday, 16 September 2026. Applicants are invited to register for the event.
