{"id":1651,"date":"2026-01-22T17:03:46","date_gmt":"2026-01-22T17:03:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/?p=1651"},"modified":"2026-01-22T17:07:07","modified_gmt":"2026-01-22T17:07:07","slug":"three-bilateral-consultations-on-agoraeu-for-support-that-reaches-rural-areas-and-for-stronger-local-media","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/three-bilateral-consultations-on-agoraeu-for-support-that-reaches-rural-areas-and-for-stronger-local-media\/","title":{"rendered":"Three bilateral consultations on AgoraEU: for support that reaches rural areas and for stronger local media"},"content":{"rendered":"

Today in Brussels, we worked through three leadership-level bilateral meetings to ensure that AgoraEU does not become a programme only for \u201cthe best organised actors,\u201d but genuinely reaches smaller settlements, less developed regions, and local\u2013regional cultural and media ecosystems. Throughout the discussions, territorial access and geographical balance were central considerations.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

Why are these bilateral consultations important?<\/strong>
\nThe purpose of the bilateral meetings is to back opinions and amendments on AgoraEU with concrete, implementable solutions\u2014ones that can be translated into the programme\u2019s operation (call design, access, funding logic, measurement). At DG EAC, for example, regional-level data collection was explicitly raised to ensure that outreach actually works in the regions.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

Three tangible outcomes of today<\/strong><\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

1) Two-stage and cascading grants: more new entrants, lower administrative burden<\/strong>
\nAt the DG EAC meeting, a clear message was articulated: two-stage grants are \u201cmore accessible,\u201d and the ecosystem should be deliberately more welcoming for newcomers. The use of small grants in a cascading format was also explicitly discussed as a solution.
\nOn the DG CNECT side, improving access through the concept of two-stage evaluation is already being substantively discussed.
\nThis logic also aligns with our draft principle that the rollout of small and micro-actions requires capacity building and mentoring\u2014especially where actors have previously been excluded due to high entry barriers.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

2) Contact point \/ \u201cdesk\u201d system: someone to help\u2014and not only the centres<\/strong>
\nThe second major step forward took shape around the contact point\/desk solution. At DG EAC, the \u201cdesk\/CP\u201d issue was explicitly raised, including the idea that these should operate continuously, potentially also at regional level.
\nKEA confirmed that regional desks could be useful and that European capacities in the regions should be shared more effectively.
\nAt DG CNECT, the contact point concept was clearly linked to the need for the programme to reach small organisations, newcomers, rural and less developed regions, with contact points playing a role in this.
\nAccordingly, our CoR draft states that introducing Local AgoraEU Contact Points is necessary to reduce the disproportionate burdens faced by smaller municipalities and grassroots organisations.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

3) Local and regional press: stronger, more targeted presence in AgoraEU<\/strong>
\nThe third outcome became particularly prominent in the DG CNECT consultation: according to the notes, the local and regional dimension is part of the interventions, with a clear targeted direction toward supporting small media organisations in \u201cnew ways\u201d within AgoraEU.
\nIn line with this, our CoR draft proposes that local and regional media production and the press\u2014including print media and radio\/television broadcasting\u2014receive dedicated, proportional, earmarked support schemes.
\nThis is decisive because in many areas local public spheres and media are not merely markets but community infrastructure: sources of information, cultural presence, and social cohesion.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

\"\"Territorial justice: not just a principle\u2014measure and improve it<\/strong>
\nAt the DG EAC meeting, a clear principle was established: the programme must include indicators on territorial participation and the geographical distribution of funding, so that its contribution to cohesion and multi-level governance can be assessed.
\nThis idea is incorporated into the draft amendment:\u00a0\u201cThe Programme shall include indicators on territorial participation and funding distribution\u2026\u201d<\/em>
\nIn addition, today\u2019s discussions strongly focused on ensuring that eligibility and award procedures provide fair geographical balance and facilitate access for smaller actors through capacity building.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

Next steps \u2013 what comes next (from 22 January 2026)<\/strong>
\nToday\u2019s results will be taken forward in the CoR opinion and in the rapporteur\u2019s amendments in three packages:<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>1.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Two-stage and cascading grants \u2013 lowering entry barriers and involving new applicants.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>2.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Contact point\/\u201cdesk\u201d system (including at regional level) \u2013 tangible applicant support and territorial outreach.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>3.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Targeted support for local and regional media \u2013 strengthening small media outlets and local news ecosystems.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

According to the draft, the upcoming procedural milestones are:<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>25 January 2026, 11:30<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 online consultation open to all.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Rapporteur\u2019s amendments deadline<\/strong>\u00a0(internal schedule):\u00a027 January 2026<\/strong>.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Adoption of the opinion in the CoR SEDEC commission<\/strong>\u00a0scheduled for\u00a02 February 2026<\/strong>. On that day, around 75 amendments (member and rapporteur) are expected to be voted on at the SEDEC meeting. The responsible Commissioner will be present:\u00a0Glenn Micallef<\/strong>\u00a0(Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport).<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>After SEDEC adoption, targeted consultations will begin with European Parliament rapporteurs to identify common positions and transferable solutions.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Before the May plenary, there will still be an opportunity for amendments based on a further round of EP\u2013Council\u2013Commission consultations and member amendments.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>Plenary adoption<\/strong>\u00a0is expected on\u00a05\u20136 May 2026<\/strong>.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

<\/u>\u00b7\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/u>As a stated objective, if everything progresses well, the\u00a0first calls could be published in autumn 2027<\/strong>.<\/u><\/u><\/p>\n

Brussels, 22 January 2026<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Today in Brussels, we worked through three leadership-level bilateral meetings to ensure that AgoraEU does not become a programme only for \u201cthe best organised actors,\u201d but genuinely reaches smaller settlements, less developed regions, and local\u2013regional cultural and media ecosystems. Throughout the discussions, territorial access and geographical balance were central considerations. Why are these bilateral consultations […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1654,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[84],"tags":[85],"class_list":["post-1651","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-agoraeu"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1651"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1656,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1651\/revisions\/1656"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1651"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1651"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cor.borbolycsaba.ro\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1651"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}