– The 2026 edition of the Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions broadens its scope, introducing support for training, animation and initiatives exploring the societal impact of European storytelling
The Council of Europe has unveiled the results of its 2026 Call for Partnerships & Sponsorships under the Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions, marking a notable expansion of its strategic focus. Building on recent policy developments, the initiative extends beyond co-production markets for the first time to include targeted support for professional training, and initiatives examining the societal and democratic impact of serial storytelling in Europe.
A key milestone in this year’s selection is the programme’s first collaboration with an animation-focused platform. The CEE Animation Forum in Pilsen will host a Council of Europe Series Co-Production Development Award worth €50,000, reflecting the growing recognition of animation as an integral component of Europe’s co-production ecosystem. The award will also return to TV Beats at Black Nights’ Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event, continuing an established partnership within one of the key industry gatherings.
Equally significant is the programme’s first move into structured training support. Under the newly introduced Series Co-Development Labs measure, ACE Producers will receive €15,000 for its ACE Series initiative in the Netherlands to support the development of series projects at an early stage. By investing in these initial phases, the programme underscores the importance of strengthening the capacity, ambition and long-term sustainability of independent producers working across borders.
Another notable addition is the launch of the Culture on Screen measure, which formally supports initiatives addressing the relationship between audiovisual storytelling and democratic life. Four events have been selected to receive €7,500 each: the Culture on Screen Think Tank at CineLink Industry Days; Stories at Risk at Seriesly Berlin; Series to Change the World: The Power of Impact Storytelling & Pluralism at Iberseries & Platino Industria; and Nostradamus Talks: Screen Visions, organised by the Göteborg Film Festival.
Together, these initiatives form a constellation of conversations spanning Sarajevo, Berlin, Madrid and Gothenburg, addressing increasingly urgent questions around representation, cultural sovereignty and the role of series in shaping public discourse. Their inclusion reflects a shifting understanding of the value of audiovisual works, not only as economic assets, but also as contributors to democratic engagement and cultural pluralism.
The programme’s expanded scope signals a broader strategic trajectory. Following the adoption of a dedicated framework for series co-production, the Council of Europe is reinforcing its commitment across the full value chain, from development and training to market access and critical reflection. Hosted by Eurimages, and supported by national ministries of culture and public agencies, the Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions is evolving as a key instrument of cultural policy. In doing so, it positions independent producers and cross-border collaboration at the centre of a more cohesive and resilient European ecosystem for serial storytelling, while signalling a long-term commitment to collaboration, innovation and the societal relevance of audiovisual creation.
