The Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) have strengthened their long-standing partnership by signing a new memorandum of understanding establishing a joint award dedicated to the development of high-quality European drama series designed for international co-production.
The initiative expands the framework of cooperation first established between the two organisations in 2011 and reaffirms shared commitments to promoting democracy, human rights, cultural diversity, freedom of expression, and media pluralism. The project was previewed on 28 January during TV Drama Vision at the Gothenburg Film Festival in Sweden.
The newly created European Series Development Award will provide €50,000 in development support for ambitious European drama series with strong cultural and democratic relevance. Selected beneficiaries will sign a grant award agreement with the Council of Europe.
The award aims to encourage independent European storytelling, strengthen cross-border co-productions, foster collaboration between producers and public service media, and support high-quality scripted content.
The initiative will be implemented within the Council of Europe’s pilot programme for series co-productions, managed through Eurimages, and will be supported by the EBU Drama Initiative and the EBU Fiction Expert Group.
The joint call for projects will be launched on 13 February, with a submission deadline of 18 March 2026. Following an expert evaluation and shortlisting process, a jury composed of representatives from both organisations and an independent professional will select up to two winning projects.
By combining the Council of Europe’s institutional mission with the EBU’s network and expertise, the new award is expected to reinforce creative collaboration across borders and contribute to a more dynamic, inclusive, and diverse European drama landscape.
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