Trusted European Platforms: Next steps after the Democracy Shield, the Berlin Summit & Eurosky Live
The publication of the Democracy Shield on 12 November introduced a small but significant mention: page 19 quietly opens the door for European Platforms (TEPs). For the first time, the Commission signals EU’s readiness to facilitate new European platforms. After years of debates on regulating (US) GAFAs, this marks political recognition that Europe needs its own social-media infrastructure.
On 18 November, this message resonated strongly at the Berlin Summit on European Digital Sovereignty. Across sessions with policymakers, investors, media actors and innovators, there were calls for sovereign infrastructure. Participants at side events highlighted demand for European platforms, capable of distributing trustworthy information at scale.
At Eurosky Live, Europe’s emerging open social-web ecosystem demonstrated that technical foundations already exist. Eurosky’s decentralised rails, built on the standards ATProto, are aligned with the TEP vision. What is now required is the trust framework hinted at in the Shield to help European platforms reach critical mass.
The press coverage shows a mixture of encouragement, scepticism and turf battles. Yet across outlets, one conclusion is clear: Europe must develop its own democratic digital infrastructure, rather than depend on foreign platforms.
Next steps:
- 13 January 2026 – Stars4Media Day XII: first workshop session of the new Club of Friends of TEPs, gathering media, innovators, advertisers, policymakers and early supporters. ( by invitation only)
- 31 January–1 February 2026 – FOSDEM: A dedicated session on TEPs at Europe’s largest open-source gathering, open to sponsorship too. (jointly with Stars4Media)
People interested in joining the movement, or simply for more information, are warmly invited to send an email to communication@europemedialab.eu
Europe MédiaLab and Maison’s journalists at the first edition of the European Enlargement Forum
On the 18th of November, the EU Enlargement Forum, an EU Commission initiative to shape the debate on future enlargement, took place. Europe MédiaLab‘s team attended the Forum together with past and current residents and correspondents of the Maison du MédiaLab. The journalists took part in all the panel discussions, where they had the chance to engage directly with policymakers, EU officials, and leading security experts from several European countries. During the event, they were able to ask questions, exchange views, and build professional connections. Later, they also had the opportunity to meet with high-EU officials like the EU Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos and Moldova’s Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu.
Cocktail at the Maison with Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova
On the 17th of November, Club EU Moldova, in collaboration with the Moldovan residents, hosted a networking cocktail with Cristina Gherasimov, Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration of Moldova. The cocktail took place after a policy dialogue on “Fundamentals First: Moldova’s Progress and Challenges on the Road to EU Accession” hosted at the European Policy Centre. There, Cristina Gherasimov alongside Gert Jan Koopman, Director-General for Enlargement and Neighbourhood at the Commission, and Siegfried Muresan, Chair of the Delegation to the EU–Moldova Parliamentary Association Committee. After the events, the cocktail offered a nice and informal space to discuss Moldova’s future after the recent elections win of pro-Europeans. 50.2%: the four correspondents hosted by Maison may have made a difference. Discussions focused on the country’s path towards the EU accession and the role of Moldovan media in this phase.
Inauguration of the Photo Exhibition A Year On: Media Under Pressure and the Faces of Dissent
On the 20th of November, Europe MédiaLab inaugurated the opening of the photo exhibition A Year On: Media Under Pressure and the Faces of Dissent. Organised with Promote Georgia, the exhibition brings together powerful images documenting ongoing protests in Georgia and the growing challenges faced by independent media and civil society. Independent Georgian and Belgian journalists who have witnessed the protests shared their perspectives and reflections on the situation during the event.
Ukrainian film screening at Maison du MédiaLab
On the 18th of November, Maison du MédiaLab transformed into a cinema for a night to host a screening of Le goût de la liberté, a Ukrainian drama directed by Oleksandr Berezan, exploring the pursuit of inner freedom and personal dignity. The event was organised in partnership with ChF “Doors” (БФ “Двері”) and the Ukrainian Cultural Space, which also served borscht, a traditional Ukrainian soup.
Eastern European media journalists and media visiting Maison and our office!
On the 5th of November, nine journalists from Georgian independent online media outlets were guests at the Europe MédiaLab during their visit around the EU Enlargement report publication. The journalists shared the realities of being a journalist in Georgia and the difficulties of reporting on the EU and NATO affairs.
On the 14th of November, ten Ukrainian front-line media journalists from Sumy, Kherson, Donetsk, and Luhansk regions visited the Maison du MediaLab. They learned about the Maison du MédiaLab, its Ukrainian correspondents’ journey in Brussels, and shared their own experience of reporting in the country at war.
On the 19th of November, eight Moldovan regional media outlets’ and national TV channels’ journalists visited Europe MédiaLab after attending the EU Enlargement Forum. The first wave resident and current correspondent from Moldova, Iulia Sarivan, shared her experience in Brussels with the journalists covering the EU-Moldova relations from Chisinau.
We Need Your Help!
Correspondents leave the Maison du MédiaLab inspired and motivated to continue reporting from Brussels, but staying independently in the EU capital is EXPENSIVE (as you know it 🙂
Luckily, some of the Maison du MédiaLab co-founders and friends have already stepped in to provide some of them with accommodation, and their impact has been remarkable this year. If you’re able to provide a place to stay or share with us a low-cost option, please get in touch.
Imagine telling your children and friends that you helped to save democracy in Eastern Europe by supporting independent media. Only together can we make it happen. Let’s help Eastern Europe have a voice in Brussels.
If you would be interested in helping, please reach out to assistant@europemedialab.eu or maison@europemedialab.eu.
Correspondents’ updates (current residents only, while former residents continue their independent coverage)
Milana Holovan
This month, Milana Holovan reported on key developments regarding Ukraine’s security and defence. She also covered a high-profile corruption scandal in the energy sector involving partners of the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and how the Russian drones have reached Brussels, NATO’s political and military headquarters.
Felicia Ganev
In November, Felicia Ganev, while reporting from Chisinau, Moldova, interviewed the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, during the official visit to the Republic of Moldova on November 6–7, in the context of the opening of the new Moldovan Parliament.
Zaza Abashidze
(Georgia)
Now reporting from Tbilisi
3 months visa expired
