Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF) launches new subsidy programme for podcasts

The Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF) is launching a new subsidy programme for the development and production of podcasts. This was announced on Friday by Flemish Minister of Media Benjamin Dalle (CD&V) at the first edition of the DS Podcast Festival - organised by the newspaper De Standaard - in Ostend. This year 250,000 euros in funding for podcasts is provided within the VAF/Media Fund, from 2023 the budget will be increased to 340,000 euros.

"The podcasting sector is gradually coming of age and has become an important artistic sector. With this support for podcasts we are providing oxygen to this flourishing sector," Minister Dalle explained. The VAF provides two types of support: development support, intended to develop the idea for a podcast (research, scenario, feasibility, casting, co-production and financing) and production support, intended to co-finance the production (including pre-production, post-production and promotion).

There will be two application rounds for grants this year, in May and in September. However, podcasts that receive support must be offered free of charge to Flemish listeners.

© BELGA PHOTO DIRK WAEM - Flemish Minister for Youth, Media and Brussels Affairs Benjamin Dalle pictured during a plenary session of the Flemish Parliament in Brussels, Wednesday 09 February 2022.