[European Commission](https://commission.europa.eu/index_en)

July 2026

~€15,500,000 total call budget; up to 95% of eligible costs per project; typical duration up to 21 months

Supports the creation and operation of a network of European cinemas to promote non-national European films, audience development, and innovation in cinema exhibition.

This is a forecasted call—dates and details subject to change; check the program page for updates.

--- ## Description This grant, under the Creative Europe MEDIA strand, aims to support a network of European cinemas with the goal of increasing the circulation and audience for non-national European films. The funded network should foster collaboration among cinema operators, promote innovative audience engagement (especially among young people), and encourage adaptation to digital, sustainable, and inclusive practices. Activities include networking, training, innovative audience development, and incentivizing the screening of European films, particularly in regions with low cinema infrastructure. The initiative also supports knowledge exchange, data collection, and dissemination of outcomes to inform policy and industry dialogue. --- ## Due Dates - **Full application (anticipated/projected):** July 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Estimated total call budget:** €15,500,000 - **Funding rate:** Up to 95% of eligible project costs - **Project duration:** Typically up to 21 months - **Maximum grant per project:** No formal upper limit stated; funding aligned with project scope and eligibility - **Financial support to third parties:** Allowed, with up to €250,000 per third party annually --- ## Eligibility - **Eligible applicants:** Legal entities (public or private) established in Creative Europe participating countries (EU Member States and certain associated non-EU countries); international organisations also eligible. - **Network requirements:** The applicant must represent a network of at least 400 independent cinemas across at least 20 eligible countries. - **Type of activities:** Only single-beneficiary applications (the coordinating entity) are allowed, but affiliated entities may participate. - **Participating cinemas:** Must be registered in MEDIA strand countries; screening films must be their principal activity. - **Natural persons:** Not eligible (except self-employed/sole traders under specific conditions). - **Other roles:** Associated partners, subcontractors, and third parties giving in-kind contributions may participate in limited roles. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Online only, via the [EU Funding & Tenders Portal](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/CREA-MEDIA-2025-CINNET?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=14&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate). - **Proposal structure:** - Part A: Administrative details (entered online) - Part B: Technical description (uploaded PDF) - Part C: Additional project data (online) - Annexes: Required supporting documents (e.g., network statistics, guidelines, etc.) - **Page limit:** 70 pages for Part B (technical description) - **Participant registration:** All applicants and affiliates must register in the [Participant Register](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/how-to-participate/participant-register). - **Evaluation:** Proposals are evaluated on relevance, quality of activities, project management, and dissemination (minimum overall threshold: 70/100). --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible activities include:** - Networking, training, and communication to increase audience reach - Financial support to member cinemas for eligible activities - Actions to promote and screen European films and to foster sustainability - Innovative audience engagement, especially targeting young audiences and underserved regions - Digital transition, inclusion, and accessibility initiatives - Cross-platform promotion and marketing - **Financial and operational capacity checks** apply; public bodies and some cultural entities may be exempt. - **No-profit and no double funding rules** apply (cannot receive more than your actual eligible costs, and no overlap with other EU grants). - **Reporting and payments:** Prefinancing up to 60% of the grant; balance paid after final reporting. --- ## External Links - [Networks of European Cinemas – Program Page](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/CREA-MEDIA-2025-CINNET?isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502&order=DESC&pageNumber=14&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate) - [Call Document (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/crea/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_crea-media-2025-cinnet_en.pdf) - [Application Form Template (PDF)](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/crea/temp-form/af/af_crea-media_en.pdf) - [Creative Europe Desks – National Contact Points](https://ec.europa.eu/culture/resources/creative-europe-desks) - [EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual](https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/funding-tenders-opportunities/display/OM/Online+Manual) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General program contact | [European Commission Contact Page](https://commission.europa.eu/about-european-commission/contact_en) | | MEDIA audience support | EACEA-MEDIA-AUDIENCE@ec.europa.eu | | IT helpdesk (Portal) | [Portal IT Helpdesk](https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/support/helpdesks/contact-form) | | Creative Europe Desks | [Find your national desk](https://ec.europa.eu/culture/resources/creative-europe-desks) | | Phone (Commission) | +32 2 299 11 11 | ---

Networks of European Cinemas

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