SAFE Psychological Support Fund by ECPMF: up to €500 for journalists and media workers from Ukraine for psychotherapy and psychological support, apply by 15 November

The European Centre for Press and Media Freedom (ECPMF) has launched a call for applications under its SAFE Psychological Support Fund. Operating within the Support and Assistance for Free Expression (SAFE) project under the Hannah Arendt Initiative and backed by the German Federal Foreign Office, this emergency mechanism is designed to foster psychological resilience and recovery for media professionals facing high-stress and repressive working environments.

The initiative offers grants of up to EUR 500 per recipient to cover professional mental health consultations, therapy, and clinical support. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until 15 November 2026, with all supported activities and disbursements scheduled for completion within the current operational period ending 31 December 2026.

What is funded

The grant provides financial assistance to cover certified mental health services tailored to individual needs. Eligible expenses include individual psychotherapy, clinical counselling, specialised trauma therapy, psychological consultations, and formal psychiatric assessments. In addition, the fund can support facilitated group sessions addressing work-related stress.

Beneficiaries are granted full autonomy in selecting their preferred qualified care provider. Treatment can be conducted either in person or remotely, ensuring that journalists can access appropriate care regardless of their physical location.

Who can apply

This call is open to individual journalists and media professionals who cover five Eastern Partnership countries: Ukraine, Moldova, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Applicants must work for an editorially independent media outlet reporting on at least one of these target countries.

Eligible applicants must demonstrate a clear need for psychological assistance directly linked to their professional reporting duties or challenging working conditions. Media workers from both local and cross-border outlets covering these contexts are eligible provided they meet the core independence and professional criteria.

Conditions and requirements

Assistance is tied strictly to the implementation timeline of the programme. The required psychological care must be accessed and entirely completed before 31 December 2026, as all approved grants will be disbursed strictly within this timeframe.

Applicants are expected to identify their own care specialist prior to receiving support. ECPMF maintains strict confidentiality regarding all personal and medical information submitted, though the organizers reserve the right to perform professional background verification where necessary during review.

How to apply

Applications must be submitted in English through the dedicated secure online application form. Requests are assessed on a rolling basis up to the final deadline of 15 November 2026, and early submission is encouraged due to potential variations in processing times.

Practical tip. Identify and establish preliminary contact with your chosen qualified therapist or mental health clinic before filling out the form, ensuring their fees align with the grant ceiling and that sessions can be fully scheduled and completed before 31 December 2026.

Applications are submitted on the donor’s page: ecpmf.eu.