Open Call: European Co-Development

European Co-development supports the co-development of one animation, creative documentary or fiction project for cinema, TV, or digital platforms. This call is listed here on Creative Europe Desk Ireland.

Deadline: 26th February 2025, 4pm Irish time

What is the purpose of the funding?

• The objective of the support to European co-development is to support the cooperation among European production companies that are developing works with a strong international audience potential.
• Increased collaboration at development stage between European production companies from different countries and from different markets and consequently an increased number of co-productions.
• Increased quality, feasibility, cross-border potential and market value of selected projects.
• A stronger position on European and international markets for companies selected under European co-development.
• The European co-development action shall provide support to the development of a single project for commercial exploitation intended for cinema release, television broadcasting or commercial exploitation on digital platforms or a multi-platform environment in the following categories: animation, creative documentary or fiction. The project must be co-developed by at least two European independent production companies, having signed a co-development agreement specifying the division of tasks and the collaboration on creative aspects.
• The aim is to provide funds to audiovisual production companies to develop works with high creative value and cultural diversity and wide cross-border exploitation potential. Companies are encouraged to develop strong and innovative collaborations at creative and financing level and to develop strategies for marketing and distribution from the outset of the development phase thus improving the potential to reach audiences at a European and international level.
• Applications should present adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry and to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness.
• These points are guidelines only – please read the European Co-development Funding call 2025 document for full details.

Who can apply?

• The objective of the support to European co-development is to support the cooperation among European production companies that are developing works with a strong international audience potential.
• Increased collaboration at development stage between European production companies from different countries and from different markets and consequently an increased number of co-productions.
• Increased quality, feasibility, cross-border potential and market value of selected projects.
• A stronger position on European and international markets for companies selected under European co-development.
• The European co-development action shall provide support to the development of a single project for commercial exploitation intended for cinema release, television broadcasting or commercial exploitation on digital platforms or a multi-platform environment in the following categories: animation, creative documentary or fiction. The project must be co-developed by at least two European independent production companies, having signed a co-development agreement specifying the division of tasks and the collaboration on creative aspects.
• The aim is to provide funds to audiovisual production companies to develop works with high creative value and cultural diversity and wide cross-border exploitation potential. Companies are encouraged to develop strong and innovative collaborations at creative and financing level and to develop strategies for marketing and distribution from the outset of the development phase thus improving the potential to reach audiences at a European and international level.
• Applications should present adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry and to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness.
• These points are guidelines only – please read the European Co-development Funding call 2025 document for full details.

What projects will be supported?

Only the co-development activities for the following works are eligible:

• Feature films, animations and creative documentaries of a minimum length of 60 minutes intended primarily for cinematic release.
• Fiction projects (one-off or series) of a total duration of minimum 90 minutes
• Animation (one-off or series) of a total duration of minimum 24 minutes
• Creative documentaries (one-off or series) of a total duration of minimum 50 minutes intended primarily for the purposes of television or digital platform exploitation
• Interactive, immersive fiction, animation or creative documentary projects (e.g. narrative virtual reality projects) of any duration.
• Works which are designed to be a series with a joint distribution and marketing strategy have to be submitted as a series.
• The first day of principal photography10 (or equivalent) has to be scheduled at least 10 months after the day of the deadline for submission of applications.
• The coordinator or (one of) the partner(s) must own the majority of rights related to the works.
• These points are guidelines only – please read the European Co-development Funding call 2025 document for full details.

How much can you apply for?

• Project budget (maximum grant amount): the maximum EU grant depends on the number of eligible beneficiaries (i.e. coordinator and partner(s), not their affiliated entities) that are part of the consortium.
• If the application is submitted by a consortium of two eligible beneficiaries, the maximum EU grant is €120,000. For
  each additional eligible beneficiary, the maximum EU grant increases with €60,000.
• However, for the co-development of drama series with an intended production budget of €20,000,000 and above,
• The maximum EU grant for a consortium of two eligible beneficiaries is €200, 000 which increases by €100,000 per
  additional eligible beneficiary.
• The grant will be a lump sum grant. This means that it will reimburse a fixed amount, based on a lump sum or financing not linked to costs. The amount will be fixed by the granting authority on the basis of the estimated project budget and a funding rate of 70%.
• These points are guidelines only – please read the European Co-development Funding call 2025 document for full details.

How can you apply?

• Read the European Co-development Funding call 2025 document to check eligibility and requirements.
• Applications for Creative Europe calls are processed through the European Commission’s Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal (F&TP). Please ensure that you follow the guidelines on the funding and tenders portal when making your funding applications.
• Detailed information on how to access the F&T Portal.
• Further information on how to apply.
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