The Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union have launched a joint initiative to support European drama series from the early development stage by connecting producers and creators with public service media. Aimed at drama series developed for international co-production, the initiative will offer selected projects development funding and expert guidance, and early broadcaster engagement. A dedicated call will open in early 2026, with up to €50,000 awarded to one or two projects.
By Creatives Unite NewsroomOn 28 January, the Council of Europe and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) announced a new joint initiative designed to identify early and support European drama series from the development stage. Developed by the Council of Europe’s Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions, hosted by Eurimages, in partnership with the EBU Fiction Expert Group, the initiative is aimed at bringing producers and creators of quality drama projects together with public service media.
“This new initiative between the EBU and the Council of Europe is about finding great projects for international co-production from across Europe’s creative production sector. Bringing producers and public service media together early will help projects with strong international potential benefit from early creative engagement with broadcasters and ultimately – we hope – become major series with resonance across Europe. We’re grateful to our public service media fiction experts and to the Council of Europe for supporting our shared ambition for outstanding European TV drama,” said Matthew Trustram, Head of TV, EBU.
“European series thrive when creative ambition meets cooperation. By bringing producers and public service media together at an early stage, we are advancing Europe’s ability to tell its own stories with greater reach, depth and relevance, through strong, independent creative voices.” said Alex Traila, Programme Manager Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions, Council of Europe.
This joint initiative responds to a growing industry need: helping projects move faster and more confidently from concept to market by aligning creative ambition with broadcaster input at an early stage. Selected projects will benefit from targeted development funding, structured exposure to leading public service media fiction experts, and a first-look opportunity with EBU member broadcasters.
A dedicated call for projects will open in early 2026 and will focus exclusively on drama series developed for international co-production. Following an expert-led shortlisting process, five projects will be invited to pitch to a joint jury composed of representatives from the Council of Europe, the EBU Fiction Expert Group and an experienced series co-production professional. A total of €50,000 in development support will be awarded to one or two projects.
The initiative was publicly unveiled at TV Drama Vision in Gothenburg in January 2026, positioning it within the European drama calendar and signalling a commitment to support high-quality, values-driven storytelling with international reach.
Learn more about the The European Series Development Award (2026)
