The context
Develop a support program to help young independent and engaged media outlets scale up
Since 2020, we have been helping media outlets produce better journalism and monetise it through their audiences. And we know how complex it is to develop and manage an independent, viable and ethical media business. Launched in 2024, the Programme Médianes is a collective support programme dedicated to founders of emerging, independent and engaged media outlets. It was made possible by obtaining a grant from the Ministry of Culture and by our studio's commitment. To learn more about the Programme Médianes and the support offered, visit the website.
The Programme Médianes opened in spring 2024, with four editions planned between 2024 and 2025. Discover the participants from the different cohorts below and explore their feedback and insights.
First cohort (Spring 2024)
Ten independent media outlets with impact, championing projects on ecology, diversity, local news, or culture: Climax, Grain, Index, La Corneille, La Disparition, Les 3 ours, Revue Epic, Terrestres, Test&Work, Vert. Learn more about the first cohort.
Second cohort (Fall 2024)
Ten new projects at the intersection of design, investigation, culture and European journalism: Demos, Flaash, Gaze, Grand Format, L'Informé, mūsae, Revue K, Vivant le média, Vinofutur and What's up EU. Learn more about the 2nd cohort.
Third cohort (Spring 2025)
Ten media outlets have joined the third cohort of the Programme Médianes: Arrêt sur images, Disclose, La lettre de Cancan, Les Surligneurs, MOB, Pioche!, Prison Insider, Quoi de mum, Soif la revue and Vertige Media. Discover the 3rd cohort.
Fourth cohort (Fall 2025)
Ten media outlets have joined the 4th and final cohort of the Programme Médianes: A fond!, En un battement d'aile, Fracas, Greenletter Club, L'Arlésienne, Le Cri, Le Poulpe, Spark, The Funambulist, Vent Debout. Discover their projects.
Three months of thematic support
Learn and practice
The first weeks of the Programme Médianes include varied support sessions and formats (masterclasses, experience feedback, group discussions, hands-on workshops, meetings with experts and media ecosystem stakeholders) enabling participants to develop their knowledge and skills in marketing, management, and administrative and economic matters.
These first three months are designed to consolidate the project and help the project leader acquire new knowledge and skills to strengthen their project. It offers a half-day of work each week; sessions are also available remotely and as video recordings (asynchronous).
Personalized support for 9 months
Ensure real-time tracking of each project over the long term
Alongside the common core of collective support, individual follow-up over time has been designed to ensure that each project is monitored by the Médianes team. The goal is to enable everyone to master new skills, tools, and develop new strategies based on what was originally planned.
This individual support is provided through the possibility of consulting certain experts mobilized during the program on specific issues: legal questions, administrative questions, questions related to the business plan and the development of a complete budget forecast, support for a press aid application…
The program also includes individual mentoring with a mentor assigned to each project based on its needs. A 9-month follow-up is provided with individual meetings based on needs and availability.
The development of a collective
Foster the development of positive synergies within the ecosystem
In developing the Programme Médianes, we were also committed to building a genuine network-based, collective approach, with dynamics of solidarity and mutual support.
Moreover, the Programme Médianes fosters genuine collaborative spirit among the various project leaders taking part. Exchange times, experience sharing, and collective discussions are central to the program and allow participants to share an experience that is both unique and collective, strengthening everyone's skills and knowledge.
The mobilized network of experts also enables the development of a genuine network by connecting a variety of stakeholders with diverse expertise.
We are convinced that these interpersonal dynamics, these solidarities, are one of the keys to fostering growth and ensuring the lasting presence of committed and independent media actors within the ecosystem.
The Programme Médianes
The Programme Médianes is a collective support initiative dedicated to founders of emerging, independent and committed media outlets. It aims to strengthen the editorial, economic and organizational viability of new projects.
