New call for proposals to shape safer and more inclusive social media platforms

Today, the European Commission published a call for proposals to create and test safer and more inclusive features for new social media platforms for young audiences.

This €1.48 million pilot project will involve young people from different countries and backgrounds in the conceptualisation and development of new European social media platforms, focusing on user safety, mental health, privacy and ease of use.

The core ambition of the project is the roll-out of at least one protocol-based service that is actively centred around the needs of young user audiences and is in line with European values such as being protective of users' privacy, autonomy and wellbeing.

It will therefore contribute to a growing European ecosystem of apps where users have greater choice about where their data is stored, how their content is moderated, and which apps they want to use to connect with their peers.

Key activities of the awarded project will include:

• A deep and meaningful co-creation process with young Europeans from highly diverse backgrounds, including young people with disabilities or neurodivergences
• Detailed analysis of the market conditions for European social media
• Development or upgrading open and next generation social media platforms
• Design and launch of an ambitious uptake strategy
• Collecting and promoting the gained insights and giving recommendations for future action on European social media

Welcoming applications from entities with demonstrated capacity in youth engagement, software development and scaling businesses or non-profits, the call will be open from 30 July to 6 October 2026.

This call for proposals adds to the EU's wider work on creating a digital world that protects and empowers children and young people. Interested participants will be able to join an info session on 30 July to learn more about the call.

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