EU launches funding for youth-centred social media platforms
New proposals will help the EU develop user-centred social platforms for younger audiences.
The European Commission has launched a €1.48 million call for proposals to support the development and testing of safer, more inclusive social media platforms designed for young people.
The initiative aims to involve young people from diverse backgrounds in designing digital services that prioritise privacy, well-being, accessibility and user safety.
Selected projects will develop or enhance protocol-based social media platforms aligned with EU values, while giving users greater control over their data, content moderation and overall online experience.
The programme also supports market analysis, platform development, adoption strategies and recommendations for the future of social media in the EU.
Why does it matter?
The initiative reflects the EU’s growing emphasis on promoting digital platforms that prioritise user wellbeing, privacy and safety rather than engagement-driven business models. By supporting protocol-based alternatives, the Commission is seeking to encourage a more open and user-centric social media ecosystem.
It also highlights a broader policy shift towards involving young people directly in the design of digital services. Giving users greater control over their data, online experience and content moderation aligns with the EU’s wider objectives on digital rights, platform accountability and safer online environments.
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