Grants

This grant aims to develop a roadmap for preserving and providing access to born-digital heritage in the EU by assessing current practices, mapping legal and non-legal frameworks, and adopting good practices across sectors. The project is expected to deliver a clear assessment of the types and extent of born-digital cultural heritage being preserved, identify challenges and barriers related to preservation and access (such as copyright, digital storage, and licensing), and propose legislative and non-legislative recommendations. Key objectives include mapping existing legal, regulatory, and policy frameworks as well as established practices, assessing other influencing factors, and raising awareness among policymakers and the public about the importance and challenges of born-digital heritage.

This grant aims to establish and support Living Labs across at least three EU or Horizon Europe Associated Countries to co-create, test, and implement solutions addressing soil health challenges. The initiative contributes to the European Green Deal and Mission 'A Soil Deal for Europe' by fostering participatory, interdisciplinary research and implementation in real-life settings. Activities involve collaboration among stakeholders such as land managers, scientists, industry, public administrations, and civil society, with a focus on practical, locally adapted innovations to improve soil health, promote sustainable land management, and enhance policy design.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards are a prestigious European prize that champions inspiring cases of municipality-enabled innovation flourishing in cities. It recognises city administrators who promote innovation by experimenting with their governance practices, supporting innovation ecosystems, and driving transformative change for the benefit of citizens. The award aims to raise the profile of cities that have developed and implemented innovative policies and frameworks, enhanced city attractiveness, helped connect with and learn from other cities, involved citizens in decision-making, and increased cities' resilience. The award provides a monetary reward and significant visibility to winning cities as role models in municipal innovation.

The European Capital of Innovation Awards champion inspiring cases of municipality-enabled innovation in cities. The Awards honour city administrators who embrace innovation, act as role models, and use technology to benefit citizens. This prestigious European prize recognises and gives visibility to cities that introduce new policies, boost breakthrough innovation, create frameworks to attract talent and investment, foster citizen involvement in decision-making, and promote the replication of innovative practices across Europe. The initiative supports cities' resilience and capacity to stimulate growth and address challenges such as climate change, digitalisation, and social cohesion.

The objective of this grant is to support and contribute to the implementation of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) in the energy sector through studies. The grant aims to finance studies for the preparation of the implementation of PCIs and PMIs, including activities such as preparatory, mapping, feasibility, evaluation, testing and validation studies, as well as any other technical support measure for project development and financing. The expected impact is to contribute to the further development and implementation of PCIs and PMIs, helping to achieve the broader policy objectives of the Trans-European Networks for Energy (TEN-E), the European Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, and the EU's 2030 climate and energy targets, with a particular focus on decarbonisation, energy efficiency, interoperability, and security of supply.

This grant supports Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) and Projects of Mutual Interest (PMIs) in the energy sector, aiming to contribute to the development and implementation of trans-European networks. The objective is to further the integration of an efficient internal energy market, interoperability of networks across borders and sectors, decarbonisation of the economy, energy efficiency, and secure supply. The grant targets energy infrastructure projects aligned with the European Green Deal, the Paris Agreement, 2030 climate and energy targets, and the EU's long-term decarbonisation objectives.

This grant aims to reinforce an enabling environment for civil society organisations (CSOs) and human rights defenders across the EU by supporting actions that strengthen the monitoring of civic space and the protection and resilience of CSOs. Projects can focus on establishing or improving monitoring systems for CSO environments, addressing emerging issues like digital threats, enhancing data collection and reporting, and improving coordination and support mechanisms at national and cross-border levels. Further emphasis is on providing direct support to CSOs and defenders at risk – such as legal assistance, psychosocial support, and emergency funding – as well as building strategic litigation capacity to advance enforcement of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. Transnational and national-level partnerships, including networks of National Human Rights Institutions, equality bodies, and Ombuds institutions, are encouraged.

This grant aims to strengthen the application of the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights through awareness raising and capacity building initiatives. Funded projects are intended to increase the knowledge of fundamental rights among relevant actors, focusing on civil society organisations, human rights defenders, and may partner with national, regional, or local authorities. Projects should address needs related to awareness and capacity building regarding the Charter, with particular attention to the Charter’s general content, individual rights, scope of application, and available remedies in case of rights breaches. The Charter is applicable to Member States only when they are implementing EU law.

The Call Town Twinning 2026 grant promotes intercultural dialogue by bringing people of different nationalities and languages together through town twinning, allowing citizens to participate in joint activities. It supports projects aimed at fostering active citizenship and democratic participation at the local level, promoting inclusion, equality and respect for diversity, and raising awareness of EU values, rights, and democratic standards. The grant also supports initiatives addressing social resilience, local well-being, prevention of violence (including domestic violence and violence against children), encouraging cultural participation and heritage, and promoting accessibility and participation for persons with disabilities. Expected outcomes include strengthened mutual understanding and friendship among citizens at the local level, increased sense of belonging to the EU, long-lasting bonds between municipalities and citizens, and improved inclusion of marginalized communities.