Sphera Network

About the network

Launched in 2021, the Sphera Network is a decentralized consortium of independent European media and cultural organizations dedicated to producing a more humane and socially engaged brand of journalism. Coordinated by the French media NGO Babel International, the network operates as a registered legal entity and brings together 10 to 20 prominent media outlets across Europe, including El Salto (Spain), Popaganda (Greece), StreetPress (France), 444 (Hungary), VDNews (Italy), Krytyka Polityczna (Poland), Bulle Média (Belgium), Arty Farty (France) and Dinamo (Italy).

Targeting socially engaged young Europeans, Sphera aims to provide fresh, cross-border perspectives to help the youth shape the continent’s future. To achieve this, the network relies on highly collaborative, multilingual journalism. By pooling their editorial resources and specialized skills in multimedia production and audience development, the members produce engaging videos and podcasts in different languages. This approach allows local independent media to break out of their national silos and present complex European issues in highly accessible, digital-first formats.

The network remains open to new media members and places a strong emphasis on training, project management, and interactive journalism. By studying today’s media ecosystem and audience habits, Sphera also helps independent media across Europe adapt to the digital age by sharing practical insights, audience surveys, and best practices.

Network Projects

• Monthly Thematic Series: Each month, the network’s members collaborate to produce a unique, synchronized series consisting of 6 videos and 1 podcast centered on a common issue. For example, in December 2023, they tackled the theme of “Historical Reckonings,” showcasing how different European societies confront and discuss their pasts to see both national and cross-border perspectives emerge.
• Cross-Border Documentaries: Sphera partners often pair up to produce impactful video documentaries. A notable example is Transistence, a powerful series covering the fight for trans rights in Greece and Italy, which premiered at the Athens International Journalism Festival in October 2023.
• Award-Winning Podcasts: The network’s dedication to high-quality audio journalism has been widely recognized, with four of their podcast series receiving prestigious industry prizes to date.

Contact
Website: https://www.spheranetwork.com

Contact

Website: https://www.spheranetwork.com
Name: Quentin Ariès
Email: quentin@spheranetwork.com