What we do

The Center for Sustainable Media works with digital news publishers, media funders and policymakers to improve the financial sustainability of independent newsrooms in Central and Eastern Europe and beyond.

Boost your newsroom's revenues with donations, memberships, and subscriptions

Unlock sustainable audience revenue streams with our advisory services. We specialize in creating successful programs for digital media organizations of all sizes.

Our services include:

  • Helping your newsroom develop their Unique Value Proposition

  • Service design and development

  • Comprehensive audience surveys

  • Growth scenarios, financial forecasting, pricing strategies

  • Selecting the right tech stack (CMS, CRM, newsletter platform, payment processing, etc.)

  • Minimum Viable Product Design

  • Effective launch strategies

  • User acquisition, engagement, building your funnel

  • Retention and churn prevention

Grants, investments and institutional funding for independent publishers

We help digital media companies identify and develop institutional funding opportunities, focusing on large-scale grants from sources like the European Commission, big tech and major philanthropic organizations. We also advise publishers seeking funding from venture capital, private equity or impact investors.

Our services include:

  • Finding the right funders, grant calls or investors

  • Developing project ideas aligned with publishers' strategic goals

  • Identifying partners and building successful consortia

  • Writing grant applications, creating budgets and business plans

  • Assisting with implementation, project management, and reporting

  • Preparing for audits

Donor advisory & media development

We work directly with large international media development organisations and the donor community, helping them design and implement effective interventions.

Improving the European funding environment

We talk to decision-makers and key stakeholders to secure fair, stable and equitable funding for independent media companies and to push to introduce new funding mechanisms like investment subsidies and consumption incentives.