Coimisiún na Meán has today (10.03.2026) issued a call for submissions for funding to support Media Literacy and Countering Disinformation projects in 2026.
The National Counter Disinformation Strategy, published in April 2025, highlighted ‘promoting media literacy and core critical skills as an important mechanism of countering disinformation.’ Media literacy is defined as ‘the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about the media content and services that users consume, create and disseminate.’
As part of Budget 2026, €1.1 million was allocated to support the implementation of the Strategy through initiatives including research, media literacy and fact-checking. As part of this funding, Coimisiún na Meán is proposing to distribute an initial €200,000 in 2026 to support organisations delivering media literacy activities.
This is the first of two calls that will issue in 2026. The second call for submissions will seek to provide micro-grants for community-based media literacy activities.
Eligible organisations will be able to apply for funding for projects that deliver at least one of the following objectives:
- Advancing empirical knowledge of effective media literacy strategies to counter disinformation as well as insights into the needs and capacities of different sectors delivering media literacy across the life course.
- Implementing Ireland’s national public library strategy for 2023-2027 ‘The Library is the Place’.
- Collaborating with key partners and established networks on developing educational content that empowers Irish people with the skills and knowledge to make informed choices about the media content and services that they consume, create and disseminate.
- Evaluating impact and capturing best practice for future delivery.
Rónán Ó Domhnaill, Media Development Commissioner at Coimisiún na Meán said: “Coimisiún na Meán believes in the development of a media landscape that supports democracy and democratic values, underpins civic discourse and reduces the impact of disinformation. We want to acknowledge the support of the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport in providing this funding, and would encourage eligible organisations to submit projects before the deadline of 13 April 2026. Media literacy is at its most effective when building resilience and trust at an individual and societal level, and by helping people to critically assess what they see and hear across broadcast, print and online media.”
Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan TD said: “Disinformation poses a real challenge to democratic debate and to people’s ability to trust what they see and read online. Through Budget 2026, the Government has allocated €1.1 million to support the implementation of the National Counter Disinformation Strategy, including initiatives that strengthen media literacy and fact-checking.
“This funding call from Coimisiún na Meán is an important step in ensuring organisations across Ireland can develop projects that help people better understand and critically assess the information they encounter every day. By strengthening media literacy across our communities, we are helping to build a more resilient and informed society.”
Submissions will be assessed by a panel of An Coimisiún staff, a representative from the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, and two independent assessors.