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Trusted European Platforms
New social media from Europe — part of the infrastructure for democracy, on a huge and profitable market.
Infrastructure for Democracy
Huge & Profitable Market
Sovereign Opportunities for News Media & Investors
Huge & Profitable Market
Sovereign Opportunities for News Media & Investors
“We were incredibly naive to entrust our democratic space to social networks controlled either by large American entrepreneurs or large Chinese companies — whose interests are not at all the survival or proper functioning of our democracies.”
Emmanuel Macron, President of France · Berlin Digital Summit, October 2025
What is Europe Médialab?
Physical & Digital Structures in Brussels
Coworking Space
Located at the International Press Center in Résidence Palace, Brussels — home to a dynamic core team, partners, and visitors working at the intersection of media, technology, and European democracy.
Maison du MédiaLab
Hosting and integration for Eastern European journalists. Goal: triple the number of EE journalists based in Brussels, with residents from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia.
The Challenge
Social Media: Once a Hope, Now Undermining Democracy
Disinformation at Scale
Manufactured narratives outcompete verified journalism and reward outrage over truth, flooding European information spaces.
Society Polarises
Genuine human contact is replaced by fake news providers seeking profit and self-sustaining filter bubbles with no room for nuance.
The Far-Right Rises
Extremist movements gain ground across European democracies and the EU itself, fuelled by algorithmic amplification.
The Solution
Trusted European Platforms: A Label and a Club
Free & Independent Label
Assigned by a group of diverse, independent experts. Based on clear principles:
- Voluntary participation
- Market-driven approach
- Fact-based assessment
- Compliant with EU law
Supportive Club
A network where TEPs connect with key players across the ecosystem:
- Fellow platforms
- Policymakers & EU institutions
- Media organisations
- Investors & advertisers
The Ecosystem
Possible Trusted European Platforms
Over 60 European social media platforms scouted — and growing. From open-source alternatives to generalist networks built on open protocols. (Non-exhaustive)
Pre-Selected Candidates
Other Trusted Platforms (Non-European)
Potential Future TEPs
Market Opportunity
Social Media Spend in Europe
€49Bn
Social Media Ads Market Value
~6%
Annual Growth Rate
90%+
Absorbed by GAFAM & Chinese Companies
Competition is bound to happen — the question is: which platforms?
Source: Statcounter Global Stats 2025, excluding search & retail media.
Label Standards
Clear Criteria for the TEP Label
Trusted
01
Compliance with EU LawEU Digital Rulebook – EU Copyright Law
02
Trust DriversTrust indicators, algorithmic transparency, content moderation & user empowerment
03
InteroperabilityInteroperable identity, data portability, protocol interoperability
04
Sustainable Revenue ModelViable, long-term commercial model
European
01
Ownership & SovereigntyEuropean and transparent ownership, golden share or similar agreement
02
Management & ControlEuropean and transparent governance & management structures
03
FootprintTargeted countries, stakeholder consultation, data storage location
04
Credible SizeAdequate funding and strategic planning for growth
Non-European platforms may apply for the Trusted label only.
Join Us
Club for TEPs: Memberships
All memberships come with an optional 6-month trial (except Sponsors).
—
Free
Free
- Monthly newsletter
- Invitation to main events
★
Individual Experts
€500
per year
- Name on our website
- Exclusive monthly & yearly events
- Everything in Free
★★
NGO & Media Partners
€1,000
per year
- Connect with policymakers
- Brussels coworking desk
- Everything in Experts
★★★
Platforms
€2,000
per year
- Speaking slot at events
- Informal advocacy support
- Everything in Partners
★★★★★
Sponsors
€30,000
per year
- Panellist position at events
- Newsletter sponsor mention
- Networking with policymakers
- Goodwill in EU circles & media
- Access to Club findings
Strategic Partner
€300,000 once
Support funding of scoping study. More info upon request.
Roadmap
Initiating the Label & Building the Club
Oct–Dec 2025
Mentioned in Key EU Documents
TEPs concept referenced in the EU Democracy Shield and Apply AI Strategy documents.
January 2026
Stars4Media Day, Brussels
Europe MédiaLab’s main event — 100+ participants, 30+ nationalities. Workshop lays the base for the Club.
January 30, 2026
TEPs Hackathon at FOSDEM
Open Source Village side-event — prototyping algorithmic transparency tools and decentralised monetisation models.
March 2026
TEPs @ Rebuild, Copenhagen
Catalyst event to establish a social platforms sector in Europe. Met with Margrethe Vestager.
April 2026
European Council Conclusions
TEPs mentioned in European Council conclusions — growing political support at the highest level.
June 2026
🚀 Official Launch — Nexus & VivaTech
Official label and club launch at Nexus (Luxembourg) and VivaTech (Paris). First labels attributed Q3 2026.
2027 & Beyond
Sovereign Europe
Looking ahead to FR, DE, and EU elections in 2029 — building a resilient European digital ecosystem.
The People
About Europe MédiaLab
A dynamic core team based in Brussels, supported by a strategic board of leading experts in digital policy, media, and journalism across Europe.
CL
Christophe Leclercq
Chairman · Founder Euractiv
TL
Thierry Leroy
Secretary General
AB
Aliaksandr Babiy
Partnership Director
MC
Mélie Carcenac
Communications Manager
AV
Aleks Vangjelofski
Sr. Manager, Strategy for TEPs
Join the Movement for Sovereign European Social Media
Whether you’re a platform, investor, media organisation, or policymaker — there’s a place for you in the Club for Trusted European Platforms.
Contact
Get in Touch
Christophe Leclercq
Founder, Europe MédiaLab & Euractiv
fondateur@europemedialab.eu · +32 497 46 89 38
Thierry Leroy
Secretary General
secgen@europemedialab.eu · +32 (0)2 615 06 53
Aliaksandr Babiy
Partnership Director
stars4media@europemedialab.eu · +32 (0)2 615 06 52
Mélie Carcenac
Communications Manager
communication@europemedialab.eu · +32 (0)2 615 06 57
Aleks Vangjelofski
Senior Manager, Strategy for TEPs
teps@europemedialab.eu
Office & Coworking
International Press Center
Rue de la Loi 155, Bruxelles