EDIT: VLC was the third-highest ranked one from a survey on what software to study, with the two already reviewed ones (KeePass and Apache HTTPD) being above it.
It's because VLC was written in Europe, in Paris specifically.
It's more multinational now, but still primarily a European project.
Realistically they are not going to fund an American project. I know the Internet makes "country" semi-obsolete (at least when describing software), countries themselves still care a lot about that.
I wouldn't be surprised though if EU-centric communities were more likely to know/care about this initiative (and thus voted), putting 2 european projects in the top 3.
The internet does not make countries obsolete. Who thinks that is inside a bubble that can burst horribly painfully.
The internet is a way to share information very fast and very cheap, but that's it. There are still countless of other dimensions that are more important, and they are often organized by countries.
Economic welfare of all regions and decentralized power over/knowledge about infrastructure such as software is important. It is very much not irrelevant whether a project is developed in Europa, China, USA, India or Russia.
I expect authorities to take into account where the majority of the development is happening. They should do that.
EDIT: Replaced the wrong word 'fairwell' with 'welfare'.
EDIT: VLC was the third-highest ranked one from a survey on what software to study, with the two already reviewed ones (KeePass and Apache HTTPD) being above it.