Horizon Europe - Work Programme 2025

Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

EN

Annex IV

Horizon Europe

Work Programme 2025

5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

DISCLAIMER
This draft has not been adopted or endorsed by the European Commission. Any views
expressed are the preliminary views of the Commission services and may not in any
circumstances be regarded as stating an official position of the Commission. The information
transmitted is intended only for the Member State or entity to which it is addressed for
discussions and may contain confidential and/or privileged material.

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Table of contents

Introduction ......................................................................................................... 5

CALL .................................................................................................................. 10

Call - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025 ..................................................... 10

Overview of this call ............................................................................................................ 10

DESTINATIONS ............................................................................................... 15

Destination Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance .................................... 15

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-01: Advisory services and network to counter
disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) .................. 17
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-02: Fostering the consolidation of European
science diplomacy ................................................................................................................ 20
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-03: Understanding the forms of local democracy
in low-income and low-middle income countries ................................................................ 23
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-04: Preparing the EU for future enlargement:
challenges and opportunities ................................................................................................ 27
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-05: Open strategic autonomy, economic and
research security in EU foreign policy ................................................................................. 30
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-06: Countering and preventing radicalisation,
extremism, hate speech and polarisation .............................................................................. 33
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-07: Towards a European research hub on
contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life and culture ...................................................... 36
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-08: Understanding and addressing gender-based
violence against politically active women and LGBTIQ people ......................................... 40
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-09: The autocratic appeal: nature, drivers and
strategies ............................................................................................................................... 43
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-10: Economic inequalities and their impact on
democracy ............................................................................................................................ 46
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-11: Balancing the fight against disinformation
and the right to freedom of expression ................................................................................. 49
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-12: The role of civic and citizenship education
for strengthening civic and democratic participation and support for common European
values .................................................................................................................................... 53
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-13: Government in transition – how
governments change the way they work and prepare the civil service for the future .......... 57
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-14: Independence of the judiciary as an aspect
of rule of law compliance ..................................................................................................... 60
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-15: Community of democracy practitioners and
researchers ............................................................................................................................ 63

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Destination Innovative Research on European Cultural Heritage and Cultural and

Creative Industries ................................................................................................................. 67
GREEN................................................................................................................................. 71
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-01: Co-funded European partnership for Resilient
Cultural Heritage .................................................................................................................. 71
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-02: Innovative approaches to intangible cultural
heritage for societal resilience .............................................................................................. 79
DIGITAL .............................................................................................................................. 82
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03: A European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural
Heritage – Innovative use cases ........................................................................................... 82
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-04: Leveraging artificial intelligence for creativity-
driven innovation.................................................................................................................. 86
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-05: Evolution of culture in a virtualising world ... 89
INNOVATIVE ..................................................................................................................... 91
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-06: Europe as a global powerhouse of design for
sustainable competitiveness ................................................................................................. 91
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-07: Cultural tourism for sustainable growth,
wellbeing and job creation ................................................................................................... 93
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-08: Innovative technologies and methods to
counteract illicit trafficking of cultural goods ...................................................................... 96
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-09: Cultural Strategies for Peace: culture and
creativity as catalysts for conflict prevention and post-conflict reconciliation .................... 98
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-10: Bridging historical past and future potential
through conservation, preservation, and adaptive use of Europe’s contentious and dissonant
heritage ............................................................................................................................... 102

Destination Innovative Research on Social and Economic Transformations ................. 106

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-01: Tackling gender-based violence in different
social and economic spheres .............................................................................................. 108
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-02: Historical and regional analyses of industrial
transitions and their lessons for ensuring a fair green transition ........................................ 110
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-03: Working time reduction: barriers, challenges,
benefits and policy implications ......................................................................................... 112
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-04: Gender differences in career trajectories of
parents and their implications for gender equality and family well-being ......................... 114
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-05: Improving fairness in the economy through a
better understanding of undeclared and underdeclared work ............................................. 116
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-06: Evaluation and use of evidence in education
policy and practice ............................................................................................................. 118
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-07: Impact of the learning environment and the use
of digital tools in everyday life on key skills and competence development ..................... 120
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-08: Impacts of culture and the arts on health and
well-being ........................................................................................................................... 121

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HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-09: Improving mental health outcomes for people in

education, training and work .............................................................................................. 124
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-10: Good practices for increased autonomy of
persons with disabilities, including physical, mental, intellectual and sensory disabilities127
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-11: Intergenerational fairness in the context of
demographic change in the EU .......................................................................................... 130
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-12: Migration and climate change: building
resilience and enhancing sustainability .............................................................................. 131

OTHER ACTIONS not subject to calls for proposals ................................. 135

Grants to identified beneficiaries ........................................................................................ 135

1. Presidency event (CY) – Conference ............................................................................. 135

Public procurements ............................................................................................................ 135

1. Studies, conferences, events and outreach activities ...................................................... 135

Other budget implementation instruments........................................................................ 136

1. Mobilisation of research funds in case of Emergencies 2025 ........................................ 136

Indirectly managed actions ................................................................................................. 137

1. Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI) Phase 4 ............................................. 137

Budget ............................................................................................................... 141

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Introduction
Cluster 2, ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ aims to meet EU goals and priorities on
enhancing democratic governance and citizens participation, on the safeguarding and
promotion of cultural heritage, and to respond to and shape multifaceted social, economic,
technological and cultural transformations. Cluster 2 mobilises multidisciplinary expertise of
European social sciences and humanities (SSH) for understanding fundamental contemporary
transformations of society, economy, politics and culture. It aims to provide evidence-based
policy options for a socially just and inclusive European green and digital transition and
recovery.

The EU is strongly committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many of

which have an important impact on culture, creativity, and inclusive society, notably: SDG 1
(No poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5
(Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced
Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible
Consumption and Production), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), with
their specific targets to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Proposals are invited against the following three (3) destinations:

Activities contributing to the destination "Innovative Research on Democracy and

Governance", will provide knowledge, data and scientifically robust recommendations to
reinvigorate and defend democratic governance and improve trust in democratic institutions.
In the long-term, this will contribute to help safeguard fundamental rights to empower active
and inclusive citizenship. By doing so, they will also strengthen accountability, transparency,
effectiveness and trustworthiness of rule of law-based institutions and policies. Activities will
help address an increasing number of threats from both internal and external actors, notably
those who use harming methods enabled by digital technologies and social media. They will
focus on tackling increased hatred, misinformation, disinformation, and foreign interference,
as well as the polarisation of political debate. The fight against radicalisation and extremism
will be a priority, alongside efforts to combat social isolation caused by online group
dynamics and addressing algorithmic bias. Combating antisemitism and minority
discrimination, as well as addressing gender-based violence, particularly against politically
active women, will be essential to building a more inclusive and equitable society.

Activities contributing to the destination "Innovative Research on the European Cultural

Heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries", will support research and innovation
to boost sustainable growth and job creation through the cultural and creative industries. R&I
actions will promote artificial intelligence for creativity and innovation, better access and
engagement with cultural heritage and improve its protection, enhancement and restoration. A
new European partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage will be launched, and support for
the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage will be continued.

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At the same time, through the destination "Innovative Research on Social and Economic
Transformations", actions will help tackle social, economic and political inequalities,
support human capital development and contribute to a comprehensive European strategy for
inclusive growth. Activities will improve the understanding of how technological, climate,
economic and demographic changes impact society. They will inform the design of policies
addressing existing and emerging challenges, harnessing new opportunities (particularly in the
areas of employment, education, mental health and well-being) and contributing to reaching
the objectives set out by the Action Plan of the European Pillar of Social Rights. A key focus
of the activities will be to boost sustainability and inclusion, by supporting vulnerable groups
and individuals (due to gender, income, age, disabilities or migrant background).

Horizon Europe is the research and innovation support programme in a system of European
and national funding programmes that shares policy objectives. Through the programme,
special attention will be given to ensuring cooperation between universities, scientific
communities and industry, including small and medium enterprises, and citizens and their
representatives, in order to bridge gaps between territories, generations and regional cultures,
especially caring for the needs of the young in shaping Europe’s future. Calls could be EU
Synergies calls, meaning that projects that have been awarded a grant under the call could
have the explicit possibility to also receive funding under other EU programmes, based on a
strategic approach including relevant shared management funds. To enable synergies by
design in this context, project proposers should consider and actively seek strategic
combinations with, and where appropriate possibilities for further funding from, other R&I-
relevant EU, national or regional programmes (such as ERDF , ESF+ , JTF , EMFF , EAFRD
and InvestEU), where appropriate, as well as private funds or financial instruments.

The EU’s Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) aims at financing projects that directly
tackle the economic and social impacts from the Coronavirus crisis and support the green and
digital transition. For project ideas that directly contribute to these objectives and that have a
strong focus in one Member State it is advisable to check access to the RRF for a fast and
targeted support.

Synergies with other relevant Union programmes will be sought, for Cluster 2 in particular
with regard to the take-up of research results and innovative solutions developed under
Horizon Europe via the following programmes:

• Creative Europe: it improves the safeguarding and valorisation of cultural heritage and
further supports the cultural and creative sector. Creative Europe can improve sectorial
networking and cooperation of Member States and non-EU Participating Countries in the
Creative Europe Programme 1 in order to apply the latest technologies, stimulate new
scientific approaches and boost innovation potential stemming from Horizon Europe.

• Erasmus+: it supports efforts to efficiently use the potential of Europe’s talent and social
assets in a lifelong learning perspective throughout the education, training and youth
fields. It promotes measures for the inclusion of people with fewer opportunities,

1
list-3rd-country-participation_crea_en.pdf (europa.eu)

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including newly arrived migrants, and supports skills development and active
citizenship, encouraging young people to engage and learn to participate in civic society
and democratic life, raising awareness about EU values, including via online platforms
and tools for virtual cooperation. As regards Cluster 2, Erasmus+ projects could benefit
for instance from the use of innovative practices for migrant integration in education, up-
take of innovative methods for citizen engagement and education for fostering EU values
and democracy stemming from Horizon Europe.

• Global Europe, the EU’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation

Instrument: it supports and consolidates democracy, rule of law and human rights,
supports civil society organisations outside the EU, furthers stability and peace and
addresses other global challenges including migration and mobility. The actions can
benefit from drawing on the findings in H2020 and Horizon Europe projects regarding
trust in governance, tackling disinformation and active citizenship.

• Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL): while Horizon Europe supports research and
development of digital technologies, DIGITAL supports the wide uptake and
deployment of innovative digital solutions in areas of public interest (including public
administration, justice and education), by setting up and making accessible Europe-wide
data spaces and platforms and providing SMEs and public administrations access to the
latest digital technologies, for example via Digital Innovation Hubs. Priority actions for
the first four years of DIGITAL include “Safer internet for kids”, a “Platform for
combating disinformation”, support the EU language technology industry in developing
and deploying latest AI-based technologies in all EU languages, contribute to the skills
and employment of ICT professionals (including women and girls) and the EU digital
platform for cultural heritage, Europeana, supporting digital transformation of cultural
heritage institutions.

• Technical Support Instrument (TSI): when supporting the efforts of the national
authorities in improving their administrative capacity to design, develop and implement
reforms, the TSI can benefit from the good practices, innovative processes and
methodologies identified or developed in H2020 and Horizon Europe projects, and get
access to the expertise in research bodies in H2020 and Horizon Europe projects.

• Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme: the programme can, in its support to
civil society organisations for encouraging and facilitating active participation in the
construction of a more democratic Union and awareness raising of EU rights and values,
draw on the results of H2020 and Horizon Europe projects in the field of citizens’
engagement.

• European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) aims to promote social cohesion and equip people
with the skills needed for the evolving demands of the labour market. Member States
and regions can use the ESF+ to mainstream and upscale innovative technologies and
solutions in the areas of employment, social inclusion, education and training, including
successful models and practices developed under Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. In

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addition, the ESF+ can support operations and researchers granted a Seal of Excellence
under Horizon Europe.

• European Regional Development Fund: ERDF focuses amongst others on the

development and strengthening of regional and local research and innovation ecosystems
and smart economic transformation, in line with regional/national smart specialisation
strategies. It can support investment in research infrastructure, activities for applied
research and innovation, including industrial research, experimental development and
feasibility studies, building research and innovation capacities and uptake of advanced
technologies and roll-out of innovative solutions from the Framework Programmes for
research and innovation through the ERDF. It helps governments reap the benefits of
digitisation and also encourages investments in social and cultural infrastructure, the
development of cultural services and the conservation of cultural heritage.

• European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD): relevant stakeholders can
benefit from the dissemination and take-up of R&I results in the field of cultural
heritage, in particular in rural and remote areas.

• The InvestEU Programme can fund the uptake of R&I results related to Cultural and
Creative Industries (CCI) and cultural heritage.

• The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) supports the EU migration policy
to strengthen and develop all aspects of the common European asylum system, support
legal migration to the Member States and effective integration policies. It contributes to
countering irregular migration. Horizon Europe contributes to the implementation of the
AMIF providing an evidence base for policies and projects, as regards asylum
protection, legal and irregular migration management and migrant integration.

To increase the impact of EU investments under Horizon Europe, the European Commission
encourages collaboration between EU-funded projects to foster synergies through networking,
joint workshops, knowledge exchange, best practices, and joint communication activities.
Synergies can be explored between projects funded under the same or different topics,
Clusters or pillars of Horizon Europe. This includes collaborations between projects funded
under Cluster 1 and Cluster 2 for complementary actions, such as promoting social inclusion,
health equity (including gender equality and support for marginalised groups), and mental
health initiatives in education, work, and daily life (including through culture and the arts).

The cross-cluster complementarities are set out in detail in the Strategic Plan of Horizon
Europe for 2025-2027.

In line with the EU’s Global Approach to Research and Innovation, and as for the Work
Programmes of 2021-2022 and 2023-2025, the Work Programme 2025 will remain almost
completely open to the participation of non-associated third countries to all Research and
Innovation Action (RIA) and Innovation Action (IA) topics. In support of the Global Gateway

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Strategy 2 , projects involving international partners should lead to increased scientific

knowledge and transfer of technology among partner countries allowing to address global
challenges across the world and create sustainable growth and jobs. Cooperation should take
place in a value-based way, creating linkages, not dependencies”.

The topics in this cluster require the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the
involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in
order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the
related research activities.

2
https://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/priorities-2019-2024/stronger-europe-world/global-gateway_en

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CALL
Call - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01

Overview of this call3

Proposals are invited against the following Destinations and topic(s):

Topics Type of Budgets Expected Indicative

Action (EUR EU number of
million) contribution projects
per project expected
2025
(EUR to be
4
million) funded

Opening: 15 May 2025

Deadline(s): 16 Sep 2025

Destination Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- CSA 3.50 3.00 to 3.50 1

01: Advisory services and network to
counter disinformation and foreign
information manipulation and interference
(FIMI)

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- CSA 3.00 2.50 to 3.00 1

02: Fostering the consolidation of
European science diplomacy

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

03: Understanding the forms of local
democracy in low-income and low-middle
income countries

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

04: Preparing the EU for future

3
The Director-General responsible for the call may decide to open the call up to one month prior to or
after the envisaged date(s) of opening.
The Director-General responsible may delay the deadline(s) by up to two months.
All deadlines are at 17.00.00 Brussels local time.
The budget amounts are subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in the general
budget of the Union for 2025.
4
Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different
amounts.

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enlargement: challenges and opportunities

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 7.00 3.00 to 3.50 2

05: Open strategic autonomy, economic
and research security in EU foreign policy

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 7.00 3.00 to 3.50 2

06: Countering and preventing
radicalisation, extremism, hate speech and
polarisation

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- CSA 3.50 3.00 to 3.50 1

07: Towards a European research hub on
contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life
and culture

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 7.00 3.00 to 3.50 2

08: Understanding and addressing gender-
based violence against politically active
women and LGBTIQ people

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

09: The autocratic appeal: nature, drivers
and strategies

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

10: Economic inequalities and their impact
on democracy

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

11: Balancing the fight against
disinformation and the right to freedom of
expression

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

12: The role of civic and citizenship
education for strengthening civic and
democratic participation and support for
common European values

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 7.00 3.00 to 3.50 2

13: Government in transition – how
governments change the way they work
and prepare the civil service for the future

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- RIA 10.50 3.00 to 3.50 3

14: Independence of the judiciary as an

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aspect of rule of law compliance

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY- CSA 3.50 3.00 to 3.50 1

15: Community of democracy practitioners
and researchers

Destination Innovative Research on European Cultural Heritage and Cultural and Creative
Industries

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-01: COFUND 75.00 N/A Not

Co-funded European partnership for relevant
Resilient Cultural Heritage

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-02: RIA 12.00 3.00 to 4.00 3

Innovative approaches to intangible
cultural heritage for societal resilience

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03: IA 26.00 2.50 to 4.00 8

A European Collaborative Cloud for
Cultural Heritage – Innovative use cases

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-04: RIA 15.00 4.00 to 5.00 3

Leveraging artificial intelligence for
creativity-driven innovation

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-05: RIA 10.50 2.50 to 3.50 3

Evolution of culture in a virtualising world

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-06: RIA 13.50 3.50 to 4.50 3

Europe as a global powerhouse of design
for sustainable competitiveness

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-07: CSA 4.00 3.00 to 4.00 1

Cultural tourism for sustainable growth,
wellbeing and job creation

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-08: IA 15.00 4.00 to 5.00 3

Innovative technologies and methods to
counteract illicit trafficking of cultural
goods

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-09: RIA 12.00 3.00 to 4.00 3

Cultural Strategies for Peace: culture and
creativity as catalysts for conflict
prevention and post-conflict reconciliation

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-10: CSA 3.50 2.50 to 3.50 1

Bridging historical past and future potential

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through conservation, preservation, and

adaptive use of Europe’s contentious and
dissonant heritage

Destination Innovative Research on Social and Economic Transformations

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-01: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Tackling gender-based violence in different 3.40
social and economic spheres

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-02: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Historical and regional analyses of 3.40
industrial transitions and their lessons for
ensuring a fair green transition

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-03: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Working time reduction: barriers, 3.40
challenges, benefits and policy implications

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-04: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Gender differences in career trajectories of 3.40
parents and their implications for gender
equality and family well-being

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-05: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Improving fairness in the economy through 3.40
a better understanding of undeclared and
underdeclared work

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-06: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Evaluation and use of evidence in 3.40
education policy and practice

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-07: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Impact of the learning environment and the 3.40
use of digital tools in everyday life on key
skills and competence development

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-08: CSA 3.00 2.00 to 3.00 1

Impacts of culture and the arts on health
and well-being

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-09: RIA 15.00 3.00 to 5.00 3

Improving mental health outcomes for
people in education, training and work

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-10: RIA 10.20 Around 3

Good practices for increased autonomy of

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persons with disabilities, including 3.40

physical, mental, intellectual and sensory
disabilities

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-11: RIA 12.00 3.00 to 4.00 3

Intergenerational fairness in the context of
demographic change in the EU

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-12: CSA 3.00 2.00 to 3.00 1

Migration and climate change: building
resilience and enhancing sustainability

Overall indicative budget 416.10

General conditions relating to this call

Admissibility conditions The conditions are described in General

Annex A.

Eligibility conditions The conditions are described in General

Annex B.

Financial and operational capacity and The criteria are described in General Annex
exclusion C.

Award criteria The criteria are described in General Annex

D.

Documents The documents are described in General

Annex E.

Procedure The procedure is described in General

Annex F.

Legal and financial set-up of the Grant The rules are described in General Annex G.
Agreements

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DESTINATIONS
Destination Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance

Resilient and strengthened democratic systems, anchored in robust and inclusive political
decision-making, will be fundamental in the context of complex and interconnected
challenges and threats our citizens and societies are confronted with. As stated in the Political
Guidelines for the European Commission 2024-2029, “Europe’s future in a fractured world
will depend on having a strong democracy and on defending the values that give us the
freedoms and rights that we cherish.”5

The Strategic Foresight Report 2023 6 already recalled how “disenfranchisement, growing
discontent, and the lack of a positive agenda combine into an erosion of trust in public
institutions, polarisation, and an enhanced appeal of extremist, autocratic, or populist
movements” and how “democracy is increasingly challenged as the governance model best
suited to deal with growing socio-economic issues.” The report acknowledged that even “in
the EU, some of the core requirements for a functioning democracy are impaired.” A
democratic impairment manifested in several phenomena like “challenges to the rule of law,
and an increasing silent citizenship, e.g. a consistent decrease of electoral turnout in many
Member States in both national and European elections, or the growing lack of interest in
general democratic life [...] the personalisation of politics, with political leaders considered
more important than political parties, […] polarisation of the political debate and the sense of
isolation […] amplified by mis- and disinformation, group dynamics in social media, or
algorithmic bias.”

Social sciences and humanities research is critical for effectively addressing those challenges.
While science will provide knowledge, insights and theoretical frameworks, the involvement
of stakeholders on the ground (community organisations, policymakers, civil society
representatives, among others) is determinant and therefore encouraged in this destination.
This collaborative approach ensures that research is based on real-world experiences and
needs, leading to more effective and relevant outcomes.

By addressing key societal challenges through this inclusive methodology, the impact of
research on citizens’ lives will be enhanced. For instance, promoting gender equality and
protecting minority rights are not only academic endeavours but necessities that reinforce
social cohesion and justice. Research findings can shape legislation, drive social innovations,
and support the development of initiatives that directly benefit communities. Research
contributes to the development of democratic systems that are more inclusive, flexible and
adaptable to change. By considering a wide range of views and experiences, policies and
institutions are better able to address the needs of all citizens, increasing social fairness.

Expected impact:

5
Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029, https://europa.eu/!wywg4P. p. 23
6
https://commission.europa.eu/system/files/2023-07/SFR-23_en.pdf

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Proposals for topics under this destination should set out a credible pathway to contributing to
the following expected impact of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan:

• Reinvigorating democratic governance by improving the accountability, transparency,

effectiveness and trustworthiness of institutions and policies based on rule of law, and
through the expansion of active and inclusive citizenship empowered by the
safeguarding of fundamental rights.

The aim of the research investment supporting this impact is to develop a robust evidence
base on which to build effective, relevant and sensitive policies that bolster the resilience of
democratic systems and protect them from threats.

The expected impact will be achieved by generating new knowledge and understanding, and
developing strategies, methods and innovative solutions, as well as policy recommendations,
under the following three areas:

1. GLOBAL CHALLENGES - Fostering democracy and promoting EU values in

times of geopolitical shifts and global poly-crisis, including: effectiveness of science
diplomacy as a way to strengthen multilateral cooperation; balance ethical foreign policy
with economic and security interests in foreign countries; disinformation and Foreign
Interference and Manipulations of Information (FIMI), as a tool of warfare; EU
enlargement and neighbourhood policies to better understand the mechanisms to
promote democratisation and the attainment of the acquis communataire in terms of EU
values and rule of law.

2. RESILIENT DEMOCRACIES – Increasing the resilience of democracy in the face

of external and internal threats, including: nature of extremism and drivers of
radicalisation, polarisation and hate speech, (such as xenophobia, racism or misogyny);
autocratic and anti-democratic tendencies in the EU; relationship between thriving
democracy at the local level and democratic stability at the national level in regions of
interest to the EU; violence and conflict in society with a focus on politically motivated
violence (incl. antisemitism and violence against women and gender minorities in the
public sphere); balance between protecting free speech and implementing necessary
regulation of it; attitudes towards the next wave of EU enlargement.

3. AGILE INSTITUTIONS & INCLUSIVE SOCIETIES – Modernise democratic

institutions and public sector processes for the 21st century, including: innovative
public administration and new ways to guarantee quality and incisiveness of public
administration; trust in governance and Rule of Law, including independence and
efficiency of judiciary; ecosystem-based approach to public decision- and policymaking,
combined with foresight and anticipatory governance.

The destination will seek synergies with other relevant EU programmes, in particular for the
uptake of research results and innovative solutions developed under Horizon Europe.
Interaction – among others – with the following programmes is encouraged: Digital Europe
(DIGITAL), Technical Support Instrument and RRF, CERV (Citizens, Equality, Rights and

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Values), Erasmus+, ESF+ and Global Europe: Neighbourhood, Development and

International Cooperation Instrument.

Applicants are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the services offered by the current and
future EU-funded European Research Infrastructures, particularly those in the social sciences
and humanities domain 7 and, where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and
services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European
Open Science Cloud, as well as data from relevant Data Spaces.

Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this
destination is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

To maximise the impacts of R&I under this Destination in line with EU priorities,
international cooperation will be encouraged whenever relevant in the proposed topics.

Proposals are invited against the following topic(s):

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-01: Advisory services and network to counter

disinformation and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.50 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third
countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support
action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

7
For a full list see https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/ri-portfolio/table. In the social sciences domain, see for
example: CESSDA - Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives (https://www.cessda.eu/),
ESS – European Social Survey (https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/), SHARE - Survey of Health,
Ageing and Retirement in Europe (https://www.share-eric.eu/) or the European Holocaust Research
Infrastructure (https://ehri-project.eu/)

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Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 8.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU institutions and national decision-makers, practitioners in relevant sectors, civil

society organisations and other societal actors have an increased understanding of the
validity of theoretical models, the possibilities to implement recommendations, toolkits,
narratives and methodologies and other solutions to counter and prevent disinformation
and FIMI.

• Practitioners in relevant sectors, civil society organisations and other societal actors
involved in the design and implementation of measures to counter FIMI and
disinformation in different sectors have access to a network and tailor-made advisory
services.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers are equipped with science-based tools and
evidence-based policy recommendations derived from EU-funded projects to proactively
conceive, implement, and innovate measures to combat and prevent disinformation and
FIMI, including those instigated by non-associated third countries.

In addition, projects should contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

• Frameworks already in use to detect, understand and address disinformation and FIMI
such as the DISARM framework9 are further developed and improved, to be used by a
wider audience of professionals.

• Practitioners in relevant sectors (such as education, security, defence, transport, foreign

relations, ICT, media, etc.), civil society organisations and other societal actors have
better knowledge and increased awareness of the challenges posed by disinformation and
FIMI and of their pervasiveness in their respective sectors.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers, practitioners in relevant sectors, civil

society organisations and other societal actors have evidence of the ways of working and
impact of new technologies (AI, Big Data, etc.) in the creation and dissemination of

8
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
9
https://www.disarm.foundation/framework

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disinformation content and FIMI actions and have new tools and methods to design and
implement appropriate initiatives to address these phenomena.

• Citizens, civil society organisations and other societal actors have increased capacities to
identify and counter disinformation content and FIMI actions.

Scope: Hybrid threats, and more specifically the phenomena of disinformation and FIMI10 are
a growing danger for democracy, human rights, social cohesion, and European security. In
recent years, the EU has developed and started to implement several strategies and numerous
projects to counter disinformation and FIMI.

The aim of this action is to bring to society the benefits from previously EU-funded research
dealing with disinformation and FIMI in the field of democracy and governance be it in
Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe or other relevant programmes (such as Citizens, Equality,
Rights and Values, Digital Europe, and Global Europe). For this, proposals should build on
the rich stock of actionable recommendations, knowledge, toolkits, educational material, and
scientific methods etc. developed in particular by the several Horizon 2020 and Horizon
Europe projects on disinformation and FIMI and make them accessible to a wider audience
(i.e., professionals in various sectors, including media, education, security, defence, transport,
foreign relations, ICT, etc.).

Several projects 11 funded under Horizon 2020 have aimed to conceive and implement
solutions that help professionals to spot and debunk mis- and disinformation or address hybrid
threats. Proposals should indicate which Horizon 2020 projects are considered sources of
research results relevant to the activities to be carried out, and are encouraged to seek
collaboration with these research teams. Recent projects funded under Horizon Europe
investigate specifically the FIMI phenomenon. Proposals should build on, and seek
cooperation with, past and on-going EU-funded projects,12 as well as EU-led initiatives, such
as the One-Stop-Shop for Tackling R&I Foreign Interference. Proposals should indicate
which additional Horizon Europe projects they would build on, should there be more than
those funded under the mentioned topics.

Proposals should further develop frameworks already in use by FIMI and disinformation
practitioners (such as the DISARM Framework). Proposals should also consider the work
done by the EDMO Hubs13 and find ways to integrate these results into the advisory services
and design actions to disseminate Hubs.

The capacity building activities and advisory services should be addressed to a wide range of
stakeholders and potential end-users, including non-scientific and non-academic actors, such
10
See:https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/tackling-disinformation-foreign-information-manipulation-
interference_en
11
Such as EU-HYBNET (https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/883054).
12
In particular, projects funded under HORIZON-CL2-2023-DEMOCRACY-01-01: Detecting, analysing
and countering foreign information manipulation and interference; HORIZON-CL2-2023-
DEMOCRACY-01-02: Developing a better understanding of information suppression by state
authorities as an example of foreign information manipulation and interference; HORIZON-CL3-2021-
FCT-01-03: Disinformation and fake news are combated and trust in the digital world is raised.
13
https://edmo.eu/about-us/edmo-hubs/

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as public bodies, NGOs, civil society organisations, policymakers, educational bodies, law
practitioners, or other potential end-users of the research results. The involvement of these
categories of stakeholders is required to test and take up the research results and to explore
their readiness to be implemented and replicated. Those activities and services should also
involve signatories of the Code of Practice on Disinformation, and entities subject to the
Digital Services Act (DSA) and to the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA). The
involvement of these categories of stakeholders is required to provide researchers with access
to data necessary to undertake research and access to platform data on the spread and
behaviour of disinformation on the large online platforms.

With the emergence of new technologies (especially those based on [generative] Artificial
Intelligence and the use of Big Data), the actors promoting disinformation and FIMI actions
have significantly increased their capacity to act, they are able to develop more targeted
content across a broader spectrum of sectors, and they are more effective than disinformation
approaches based for instance on bot farms 14 . AI could also be used to develop new
disinformation detection technologies, while addressing the ethical and legal challenges
implied.

Proposals should identify gaps in research, identify challenges and opportunities based on an
analysis of ongoing and past research and innovation projects, particularly those offered by
generative Artificial Intelligence in the context of generation, dissemination, detection and
debunking of disinformation and FIMI activities more broadly.

Proposals are encouraged to also address the issue of gendered disinformation and FIMI
targeting LGBTIQ+ people.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces.

Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic
is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-02: Fostering the consolidation of European

science diplomacy

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 2.50 and 3.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

14
See:https://edmo.eu/edmo-news/new-white-paper-on-generative-ai-and-disinformation-recent-
advances-challenges-and-opportunities/

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Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.00 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third
countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support
action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 15.

Expected Outcome: Building on the recommendations of the EU Science Diplomacy Working

Groups, the project should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU and national policymakers as well as researchers obtain a taxonomy of European

science diplomacy which maps the relevant players, including from academia,
policymaking, diplomacy, civil society, and business, and have an overview of the
science diplomacy ecosystems in the EU and the existing capacities, infrastructures,
networks (including diaspora and alumni networks), training activities, strategies, and
publications at EU and national level. This should also include a mapping of science
diplomacy strategies of third countries in order to inform EU responses.

• Design and launch a European Science Diplomacy Platform as a community of research

and practice providing an impartial space for interaction and resources for institutional
capacity building, knowledge sharing and scaling up of best practices, involving the key
players in European science diplomacy, from both the EU and national levels, liaising
also with European scientists in the diaspora and alumni of European mobility schemes,
and creating links with existing platforms.

15
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Building on the activities of existing mechanisms such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie

Actions (MSCA), ERC, COST, EURAXESS, the European Universities initiative, the
European Diplomatic Academy, and relevant programmes at national level, schemes,
competence frameworks and curricula for training, capacity-building, and mutual
learning in European science diplomacy, are developed, paying particular attention to the
needs of science counsellors and other diplomats dealing with matters that rely heavily
on scientific expertise.

Scope: Not least thanks to the Horizon 2020 cluster on science diplomacy, which funded three
projects in 2016-202216, a vibrant community of European science diplomacy scholars and
practitioners has emerged, leading to the development of the EU Science Diplomacy
Alliance17. Further input was delivered by the former Strategic Forum for International S&T
Cooperation (SFIC) 18 , which suggested the development of an EU Science Diplomacy
Platform and Roadmap. In addition, a growing number of Member States have adopted
national science diplomacy strategies or agendas, or are currently exploring their
development, and have strengthened scientific-technological capacities in their Ministries of
Foreign Affairs (e.g., establishment of an informal Network of Science Advisors and Science
Diplomacy Coordinators in EU Ministries of Foreign Affairs). An increasing number of
recent EU policy documents have made explicit or implicit reference to science diplomacy
and the need for foreign policy to be based on the best possible evidence. Against the
background of a rapidly changing geopolitical and scientific-technological environment, with
global competitors using science diplomacy in a much more strategic manner, there is a need
to consolidate European science diplomacy efforts and explore synergies in order to tackle
existing vulnerabilities.

Science diplomacy forms an integral part of the Global Approach to Research and
Innovation 19 , the EU’s strategy for international cooperation in research and innovation,
which prominently advocates that a stronger focus on science and technology in the EU’s
foreign and security policies in terms of science diplomacy would help the EU to project soft
power and pursue our economic interests and fundamental values more effectively. In its
Conclusions on the Global Approach 20 , the Council called on the Commission and the
European External Action Service to develop a European Science Diplomacy Agenda. At the
informal Competitiveness Council meeting in July 2023, EU Research Ministers underlined
the importance of European science diplomacy action. Consequently, the European
Commission organised together with the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU the first
European Science Diplomacy Conference in Madrid in December 2023 and the launch of EU
Science Diplomacy Working Groups to develop recommendations for a potential future
European framework for science diplomacy.

16
Using Science for/in Diplomacy for Addressing Global Challenges (S4D4C), Inventing a Shared
Science Diplomacy for Europe (InsSciDE), European Leadership in Cultural, Science and Innovation
Diplomacy (EL-CSID)
17
https://www.science-diplomacy.eu
18
https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-2020-2024/europe-world/international-
cooperation/science-diplomacy/sfic_en
19
https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-05/ec_rtd_com2021-252.pdf
20
https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-12301-2021-INIT/en/pdf

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Against this background, the Coordination and Support Action will contribute to
consolidating the European science diplomacy landscape both in research and in practice. In
particular, it must provide a mapping of all relevant players, which is still lacking at this point,
and establish a European Science Diplomacy Platform21. The added value of such a platform
is that it can serve as a “do tank”, bringing together scientists and diplomats alike and
delivering concrete support for policy needs, such as:

• advising on the use of science diplomacy to help achieving the EU’s foreign and security
policy goals (e.g., in the context of Global Gateway22),

• identifying research needs and providing expert knowledge to policymakers and

diplomatic services through science advice and science communication, thereby
strengthening multilateralism and democratic governance,

• designing methods for assessing the impact of relevant actions,

• exploring synergies with other fields of diplomacy, most notably tech / innovation /
digital diplomacy, as well as public diplomacy and culture diplomacy, including the use
of arts to communicate science related to global challenges,

• assisting policy dialogues with audiences and stakeholders in third countries as well as
international organizations and other multilateral settings, and

• supporting the EU’s science diplomacy outreach to partners world-wide, including to

relevant international organizations, such as UNESCO.

In addition, this Coordination and Support Action should explore and develop mechanisms for
training, capacity-building, and mutual learning in science diplomacy in a consistent manner,
including by exploring the feasibility of science diplomacy fellowship schemes in European
and Member State/Associated Countries’ institutions at home and in diplomatic
representations abroad.

Engagement with partners outside the EU is particularly encouraged for this project.

Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic
is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-03: Understanding the forms of local

democracy in low-income and low-middle income countries

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

21
Creating links with existing platforms such as the EU’s Cultural Relations Platform and the EU Alumni
Platform.
22
Global Gateway - European Commission (europa.eu)

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Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 23.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU institutions and national decision-makers are equipped with science-based tools and
recommendations to proactively promote human rights and democracy, in order to lead
to more resilient and inclusive democratic societies in low-income and low-middle
income countries, strengthening social inclusion through citizens’ participation in
decision-making, particularly through women’s and youth participation.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers are better able to proactively promote

democratic values, principles and practices in low- and low-middle income countries
grounded in a better understanding of the actors at local level including their capacity
and needs when engaging in democratic practices.

• EU institutions, national decision-makers, and civil society organisations can access and
use (science-based) good practices for working in fragile contexts where
connections/relations with governments and trust in democracy are weak or absent , due
to the political and economic crisis or other context-specific factors.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers understand the role of decentralization

processes in low-income and low-middle income countries, and its impact on the quality
of public services and on acceptance of democratic processes among citizens.

In addition, projects should contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

23
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Policymakers and public institutions have a better understanding of the link between
efficient delivery of public services and pro-democratic sentiment, experiences, and
outcome in low-income and low-middle income countries.

• Civil society organisations, and other relevant/credible actors, working in the fields of
development cooperation and promotion of human rights have better tools to promote
democratic practices at local level in low-income and low-middle income countries.

Scope: Various regions of the world are witnessing democratic regression and a rollback of
human rights, which is particularly evident in low- and middle-income countries. In addition
to centrifugal forces that destabilise and weaken democratic regimes or regimes undergoing
democratisation processes, there are actions of malign interference coming from countries that
have interests in promoting non-democratic governance models and that challenge the
international rules-based order and universal human rights. These trends also represent a risk
to the security of European citizens and businesses, and a destabilisation factor in the
countries and regions with which the EU maintains diplomatic and economic relations, giving
rise to phenomena such as conflict and regional insecurity, increased displacement, decreasing
women’s and LGBTQ+ people rights, the influx of refugees, economic migration, worsening
poverty and hindering sustainable development.

In recent years, the EU has developed and started to implement several strategies to promote
and defend democracy and human rights in third countries: such as the EU Action Plan on
Human Rights and Democracy 2020 – 202724, which is in line with the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Moreover, the aim of
promoting human rights in developing countries is closely linked to the objectives of the
Global Gateway.

In addition, the EU's cooperation instruments and strategies with low- and middle-income
countries promote respect for human rights and the strengthening of democracy. Among
those, the “Team Europe Democracy" (TED), with the thematic Team Europe Initiative (TEI)
dedicated to promoting democracy and human rights worldwide, the “Territorial Approach to
local Development" (TALD) with the corresponding TALD Facility, and the
"Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument" (NDICI), which is
part of the Global Europe, which aims at promoting human rights and democracy by funding
initiatives that support democratic governance, the rule of law, and the protection of human
rights worldwide. Moreover, the Global Gateway initiative promotes human rights and
democracy by investing in infrastructural projects that emphasize good governance, the rule
of law, and inclusive, transparent practices. In the context of this call “low- and middle-
income countries” are understood as the low to middle income non-associated third countries
in the list of participating countries according to the Horizon Europe rules for participation
and proposal procedure25.

24
https://www.eeas.europa.eu/sites/default/files/documents/2024/Action-Plan-EN_2020-2027.pdf
25
See: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/list-3rd-
country-participation_horizon-euratom_en.pdf

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Developing countries where there is a solid democratic practice at a local level, with elections
and representative democracy at an administrative level lower than the national one
(municipal, district, etc.), seem to be more resilient to phenomena that can be attributed to
democratic backsliding (such as coup d’état, regression of the rule of law, etc.).

Therefore, proposals should gather robust evidence on how actors in economic, political, and
social ecosystems at the local level could foster democratic practices, increase citizens' trust in
governance and democratic institutions, improve transparency of decision making, and
promote respect for human rights in low- and middle-income countries. In addition, proposals
are encouraged to assess the trends and the risks for the EU and the Member States of the
regression of democracy or the lack of respect for human rights and are encouraged to gather
evidence on different forms of democratic participation and governance at local level.

In developing countries where central governments have irremediably lost control of territory
(even large parts of it), the EU and Member States are left to cooperate with administrations at
a lower level than the national one. In these cases, the relationship with the EU can be
achieved through cooperative relationships with local administrations and local civil society
partners. Proposals should investigate how EU and national public authorities can operate in
these fragile contexts, where central governments do not have sound control of areas of the
country and in which it is therefore necessary to relate to societal actors at a local level.

Moreover, proposals are encouraged to investigate the link between efficient public service
delivery and pro-democratic sentiment, experiences, and outcomes in low- and middle-
income countries (measured, for example, by civic participation, trust in institutions and in the
central government). Proposals are encouraged to deliver a critical analysis of the evidence
collected and identify good practices, conditions and methods for their transferability to other
contexts.

Their proposed research activities should meaningfully involve a wide range of stakeholders
and societal actors at local level (such as local authorities, economic and institutional actors,
trade unions, traditional and faith leaders, indigenous people, minorities, and others),
including non-scientific and non-academic actors from non-associated countries and
international organisations. Proposals are encouraged to involve entities in low- and middle-
income countries, to rely on their first-hand competences to steer the methodological
approach and perform the data collection and analysis. Proposals are also encouraged to make
use of participative methodologies and experimental methods.

There are several projects funded under EU programmes whose aim has been to promote
democratic governance and the defence and promotion of human rights in developing
countries. Proposals should seek cooperation with relevant ongoing projects and should
indicate which additional projects they would collaborate with. Clustering and cooperation
with other selected projects under this topic are encouraged.

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Applicants to this topic are encouraged to consider the data offered by European Research
Infrastructures in the social sciences and humanities domain26.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

Proposals considering to perform research in the LAC region are encouraged to foster
collaboration with entities in alignment with the New EU Agenda for EU-Latin America and
the Caribbean Relations.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-04: Preparing the EU for future enlargement:

challenges and opportunities

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
The consortium must include at least one entity from Albania, Bosnia
Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia,
Republic of Moldova, Serbia, Ukraine, or Türkiye. Legal entities from
these countries must take part in the project as beneficiaries.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 27.

26
For example, CESSDA, the European Social Survey or SHARE.
27
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:

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Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers and public administrations in each Member State, candidate country, and
at EU institutional level, are provided with thematic insights on lessons learned from
previous enlargement processes for the development of future policies with particular
attention to democracy, rule of law and governance related topics.

• Societal awareness of the enlargement process is increased both within the Union and in
the candidate country(ies), through a deeper understanding of the political, social and
economic consequences of enlargement versus non-enlargement of the EU.

• EU authorities and public authorities in Member States benefit from better use of
existing interactive tools to better inform and promote educational opportunities on
enlargement process for citizens in the Union and in the enlargement countries.

• Public’s at large involvement in enlargement is enhanced through transparent and

participatory processes, leveraging digital tools for broader engagement.

Scope: Following the Commission’s Communications on “pre-enlargement reforms and

policy reviews”28 and on “Enhancing the accession process – A credible EU perspective for
the Western Balkans”29, as well as “New growth plan for the Western Balkans”30, there is a
need to invest more in understanding enlargement priorities, opportunities, and challenges
based on the perspective of a EU counting more than 30 Member States. This also means that
EU Member States need to be better prepared, while citizens and civil society must gain a
better understanding of what enlargement entails.

The proposed research should improve on the one hand, the EU Member States’
understanding of the history, political and economic situation of the candidate countries
through socio-historical research, combined with a legal and economic approach. And, on the
other hand, it should support EU citizens and civil society to gain a better understanding on
challenges and opportunities related to potential future enlargements of the EU.

Reflecting on previous enlargements, the proposals should provide thematic insights on

lessons learned and identify potential similarities with the candidate countries, focusing
particularly on democracy, rule of law and governance-related topics.

Adopting a flexible and adaptive approach to enlargement, responsive to geopolitical

dynamics and regional challenges, might be necessary. Utilizing foresight and scenario
planning can help the EU and the Member States to anticipate future changes and strategically
manage the enlargement process. This approach can also consider differentiation within EU
governance to build resilient, inclusive, and participatory societies.

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
28
COM(2024) 146 final https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2024:146:FIN
29
COM(2020) 57 final https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0057
30
COM(2023) 691 final https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2023:691:FIN

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A comparative analysis of the terms and conditions issued by Member States upon joining the
Union, such as freedom of movement or the acquisition of real estate, could serve as an
interesting case study for candidate countries and other stakeholders involved in this process.

Public support and engagement for EU enlargement are crucial but fluctuate largely between
Member States and candidate countries. To foster a more inclusive process, it is essential for
the proposals to involve citizens early in the enlargement discussions, ensuring transparency
and addressing economic and social concerns aiming at improving the credibility and
acceptance of the enlargement process. The proposals should also address the EU’s readiness
to enlarge, considering the “enlargement fatigue” and the rise of euroscepticism within the
Union and in the candidate countries.

Building concrete knowledge through comparative analysis of the motives of candidate

countries to join the EU would be beneficial to observe any similarities and whether these
motivations are still present, strengthened or declining in the Member States. Efforts should
also be directed towards effective and inclusive communication on the EU integration process
and the benefits of enlargement.

Additionally, the proposals should collect evidence on the role of societal dialogues and
education in proposing learning approaches to EU integration and enlargement prospect
within the Union that combine mutual, social and intercultural learning to support the
development of local or regional initiatives by the civil society. These learning approaches
could be based on evidence from formal learning in education institutions or informal learning
through civil society initiatives. Proposals should consider citizens’ engagement and dialogue,
for seeking wider input and encourage youth participation.

To support this goal, the proposals should identify the most effective tools for public
administration and policymakers to improve citizens’ understanding of the enlargement
process, seizing educational opportunities and societal awareness. Utilising emerging digital
technologies such as artificial intelligence and social media could be beneficial in meeting the
evolving challenges of digital communication.

Pilots should be carried out in at least four EU Member States to assess the effectiveness of
these tools, which may also have synergies with people-to-people programmes such as
Erasmus+, the European Solidarity Corps, Interreg, or the Civil Society Facility, fostering a
common European spirit between EU Member States and candidate countries.

Based on the research, policy recommendations should be developed to promote inclusive

strategic communication and citizen engagement on EU integration and values within the
Union and in the Member States. These policy recommendations should also explore how to
support the reform process of candidate countries and/or learn from their existing reforms
regarding Chapters of the Acquis, such as of Chapter 10 (Information Society and Media),
Chapter 23 (Judiciary and Fundamental Rights), Chapter 24 (Justice Freedom and Security),
and Chapter 34 (Institutions).

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Proposals are encouraged to network with and build on previously funded projects under
Horizon Europe calls31, Horizon 2020 or other EU programmes, e.g. Global Europe32 or the
Instrument for Pre-accession33. Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under
this topic and other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

Applicants to this topic are also encouraged to consider the data offered by European
Research Infrastructures in the social sciences and humanities domain34.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-05: Open strategic autonomy, economic and

research security in EU foreign policy

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 7.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 35.

31
In particular HORIZON-CL2-2023-DEMOCRACY-01-08: Political perspectives for the Eastern
Neighbourhood and the Western Balkans, HORIZON-CL2-2021-DEMOCRACY-01-04: Democratic
politics in the EU’s neighbourhood, as well as other relevant projects funded under other clusters and
pillars of Horizon Europe.
32
https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/global-europe-programming_en
33
https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/enlargement-policy/overview-instrument-pre-
accession-assistance_en
34
For example, CESSDA, the European Social Survey or SHARE.
35
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:

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Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU institutions, national decision-makers, and practitioners in various relevant fields

dispose of consolidated concepts, workable definitions and a robust evidence base for
policymaking, regarding open strategic autonomy and economic security - including
research security.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers have a better understanding of how the

open strategic autonomy and economic security – including research security – can
benefit the EU and its Member States, associated countries, the countries of the
neighbourhoods, and developing countries, and of the impacts of potentially divergent
related EU and Member States’ policies.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers are provided with policy recommendations

on how to enhance open strategic autonomy and economic security – including research
security – without creating harm to economic and societal actors in the EU, associated
countries, the countries of the neighbourhoods and low- and middle-income countries or
to the geopolitical influence of the EU.

• EU institutions, national decision-makers and researchers have a deeper understanding

of the drivers of open strategic autonomy and economic security – including research
security – in key policy fields and what its historical evolution has been.

Scope: The EU's open strategic autonomy refers to the EU's ability to act autonomously (i.e.,
without depending on other countries) in strategically important policy areas, linked to both
the economic and non-economic spheres. These areas may include energy, research, health,
media, technology, defence, food, industry, as well as development cooperation, promotion of
democracy and defence and promotion of human rights.

The concept of open strategic autonomy is not new, and its interpretation has changed,
producing various legislative and non-legislative initiatives in several areas of key importance
for the EU and its Member States. Since 2021, the scope of the EU's open strategic autonomy
has been expanded to practically all EU policy areas, including that of democracy and
governance, but other similar concepts also emerged. In recent years and since Russia's
invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 in particular, progress has been made towards achieving
(open) strategic autonomy, although the concept remains clouded by changing terminology.

The European Economic Security Strategy was launched in June 2023 36 , setting out a
framework for robust assessment and management of economic security risks at EU, national
and corporate levels. In December 2023, the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre
(JRC) published a report assessing open strategic autonomy in the innovation and production
domains. 37 It observes that, in addition to pure economic dependencies, the changing

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
36
See: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_3358
37
See: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC136359

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geopolitical landscape has increased potential vulnerabilities stemming from international

collaboration in research and innovation. In May 2024, the Council adopted a
Recommendation on Enhancing Research Security, which aims to keep international
cooperation in research and innovation both open and safe by managing risks and building
resilience in the R&I sector across Europe.

Against this background, proposals should contribute to conceptual clarity, definition of key
concepts and the theoretical framework underpinning these concepts as well as gather
evidence for policymaking, including through analysis of the threat landscape. Proposals
should analyse the drivers for open strategic autonomy and economic security in various
sectors of the European economy, notably the research, innovation and production domains,
and map the relevant actors, trends, and risks.

Proposals are encouraged to analyse the correlation between the concepts of open strategic
autonomy and economic security, including research security, considering the three pillars of
the European Economic Security Strategy: promoting the EU’s competitiveness, protecting it
from risks to economic security and collaborating with the widest range of countries that
share the EU’s concerns or interests. Hence, proposals should develop recommendations on
how to strike the right balance between being “as open as possible” and “as closed as
necessary”, taking into consideration also what the implications of greater autonomy /
technological sovereignty of the EU and its Member States would mean for economies and
populations outside the EU, especially in developing countries.

Proposals are encouraged to assess the proportionality and effectiveness as well as the costs
and benefits of policies and measures aiming at open strategic autonomy/technological
sovereignty and economic security, including research security and their implications for the
research and innovation sector. This includes analysing interlinkages and tensions with
concepts such as open science, academic freedom, research integrity and science diplomacy.

Proposals should also analyse the risks and implications of individual Member States not
adhering to EU strategic autonomy policies and explore the legal tools available to prevent
and address such divergences.

There is a risk that open strategic autonomy ambitions do not consider negative impacts on
developing countries, and might weaken multilateralism, cross-border trade, and foreign
investment. Moreover, the open strategic autonomy policies could encourage the spread of
protectionist policies globally, impacting particularly on developing countries. Therefore,
proposals should also consider what the implications of greater autonomy or sovereignty of
the EU and its Member States would be for populations outside the EU, and how this could
influence the engagement of professionals and organizations active in areas such as
development cooperation, promotion of democracy and defence and promotion of human
rights.

Proposals are encouraged also to investigate and gather evidence on what policies other
international key partners develop in the areas of open strategic autonomy and economic
security, including research security, and how these may impact the EU and is Member States.

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Ideas should be developed indicating how a level playing field in the cooperation with these
key partners/geopolitical players (such as USA, China, Russia, etc.) could be guaranteed,
ensuring that safeguarding measures do not hinder cooperation between partners.

In recent years, many Member States have developed foreign policy guidelines and strategies
that incorporate feminist principles and the promotion of respect for minorities. These
political developments, alongside academic debates, indicate a growing trend of integrating
ethical and feminist principles into diplomatic strategies. Proposals are encouraged to
consider such ethical and gender-responsive approaches to foreign policy and the design of
open strategic autonomy. Research activities should involve a wide range of stakeholders and
societal actors, including non-scientific and non-academic actors, such as public bodies,
policymakers, private corporates, industry federations, media organisations, non-
governmental organisations, civil society organisations, educational research bodies.
Proposals under this call are encouraged to make use of participative methodologies and
experimental methods.

Proposals should build on past EU-funded projects, and seek cooperation with on-going ones,
addressing issues relating to strategic autonomy. Proposals should indicate which Horizon
2020 projects are considered sources of research results relevant to the activities to be carried
out. Research activities could involve the analysis of Important Projects of Common
European Interest (IPCEI). Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this
topic and other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-06: Countering and preventing radicalisation,

extremism, hate speech and polarisation

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 7.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the

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Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions

under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 38.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU and national decision makers, researchers, practitioners and media organisations are
equipped to deliver effective prevention and counter measures on radicalisation,
extremism, hate speech and polarisation, based on a better understanding of the drivers
and mechanisms of extremism, hate speech and polarisation, and by implementing
effective recommendations, tools, narratives, methodologies, and other solutions.

• Improved evidence-based policymaking to counter and prevent radicalisation,

extremism, hate speech and polarisation, based on experiments that apply the results of
previous research and innovation projects in a practical/educational real-life context,
allowing the replication of methods and recommendations for legislative changes or for
the translation of research findings into innovations.

• EU institutions and national policymakers gain insights into radicalisation, extremism,

and hate speech, including their impact on young people and how youth perceive and
engage with information on these phenomena, whether online or offline.

• EU institutions, national decision-makers, and civil society organisations acquire a

thorough understanding of the mechanisms driving successful extremist, radical, and
hate campaigns, as well as the diverse political environments and their modes of
interaction and communication, extending beyond social media and online platforms.

In addition, projects should contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved understanding of methodologies to effectively map hate ecosystems online

through qualitative and quantitative tools, also with a view to supporting the
enforcement of existing laws prohibiting racist, xenophobic and misogynistic hate
speech, and to protect potential victims.

• Increased understanding of the link between disinformation and hate speech, and
radicalisation and extremism, in particular how disinformation and hate campaigns
deepen social divisions and create the conditions for radicalisation and extremism.

• Increased understanding of patterns of media consumption by individuals and their use

of traditional media vs social media to form their own opinion, the effects of a polarised

38
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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public sphere on the media landscape, including the role of journalists; and the possible
developments in the area of citizens’-led media content.

• Increased understanding of the role of traditional media, online media, social media, and
artificial intelligence in countering mis- and disinformation, hatred, and the spread of
narratives that drive radicalisation, polarisation, and extremism in societies.

• Improved tools and methods to assess the reliability of sources and related meta-tagging
systems to map different points of view, as well as other actionable journalistic practices
(e.g. forums, citizens’ engagement and outreach, communication channels with editorial
teams) which have proven effective in improving the quality of debate in the media.

• Increased availability of training tools, materials, and methods for educators and
educational organisations to engage with students, enhancing their capacity to provide
opportunities to raise awareness and counter hate, extremism and polarisation.

Scope: The phenomena of radicalisation, extremism, incitement to hatred and polarisation are
a growing threat to democracy and social cohesion. In recent years, the EU has adopted
several strategies to combat racism, antisemitism and xenophobia, as well as to counter hate
speech and hate crimes. The EU also has policy tools to respond to all forms of extremism
and radicalisation. As recalled by the Joint Communication “No Place for Hate” 39 of 6
December 2023, these initiatives are even more urgent considering the growth in hate speech
and crimes against women and minorities in recent years.

Social media amplifies radicalisation, extremism, hate speech, and polarisation. Algorithm-
driven personalisation restricts the public sphere and creates "echo chambers" where users
primarily engage with like-minded views. This confirmation bias intensifies polarisation,
fuels radicalisation, aids in recruiting extremists, and promotes hate speech and crime.

Confirmation bias influences both social and traditional media users, as individuals seek
information aligning with their beliefs. This trend impacts public discourse, fostering
misinformation and disinformation including conspiracy theories by limiting exposure to
diverse viewpoints and distorting perception of reality.

These phenomena arise from distortions in online interactions and media outlet
characteristics, especially those that are mostly if not solely disseminated online. In certain
member states, online media have replaced traditional media channels (TV, radio, press) as
the main information source, lacking transparency regarding affiliations with interest groups
or foreign influences.

Moreover, radicalization and polarisation spread through social networks beyond social
media. Therefore, proposals should also consider offline social networks, which include
relationships like friendships, kinships, and shared interests, not solely reliant on online
platforms.

39
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A52023JC0051

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Research activities should involve a wide range of stakeholders and potential end-users,
including non-scientific and non-academic actors, such as, but not limited to public bodies,
media organisations and outlets, journalists, social media platforms, and representatives from
other social networks, non-governmental organisations, civil society organisations,
policymakers, educational bodies, other potential end-users of the research results. The
involvement of these categories of stakeholders is required to test and uptake the research
results and to explore their readiness to be implemented and replicated. More specifically,
research activities are encouraged to involve online services which are signatories of entities
which are subject to the Digital Services Act (DSA), as their involvement is required to
provide researchers with access to data necessary to undertake research and access to platform
data on the spread and behaviour of disinformation on the large online platforms.

Proposals are encouraged to explore the following themes (among others): radicalisation and
polarisation driven by stereotypes related to gender, religion, or ethnic minorities; the impact
of new technologies on the production and dissemination of radicalisation and extremist
content; the role of social cohesion, as both radicalisation and democratic participation are
significantly influenced by the level of social cohesion within society.

Proposals are encouraged to include historical and comparative analysis, which is crucial for
understanding the past uses of hate speech as well as contemporary efforts by radical and
extremist organisations to shape narratives. By contextualising these dynamics, proposals can
explore the evolution and impacts of these phenomena over time, providing insights into
effective strategies for combating them.

Proposals should collaborate with the EU Knowledge Hub on radicalisation prevention (RAN
– Radicalisation Awareness Networks) to align priorities and share outcomes and should
develop advisory services to its members.

Proposals are encouraged to seek collaboration whenever possible with relevant projects
selected under previous EU-funded calls, such as HORIZON-CL3-2022-FCT-01-03 -
Enhanced fight against the abuse of online gaming culture by extremists, or HORIZON-CL3-
2022-FCT-01-03 - Enhanced fight against the abuse of online gaming culture by extremists.
Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this topic and other relevant
projects are strongly encouraged.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-07: Towards a European research hub on

contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life and culture

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

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Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.50 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third
countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support
action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 40.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• A network of practitioners, including researchers in the field of contemporary

antisemitism and research on Jewish life, is established and developed, providing a
dynamic space for academic conversations, as well as training and career opportunities.

• Research gaps and relevant research centres to further develop research on contemporary
antisemitism and Jewish life in Europe are identified, with a particular focus on regions
previously underrepresented in the study of contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life

• Discussion and formulation of methodological standards in the field are facilitated,

fostering high quality empirical work.

40
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Provide strategic planning for the field on a Europe-wide level, including a concrete and
credible action plan to grow this network into a sustainable research institution.

• Links between research and policymaking within and for Jewish communities as part of
the wider process of nurturing Jewish life in Europe are deepened.

Scope: The first-ever EU strategy on combating antisemitism and fostering Jewish life (2021-
2030)41is an ambitious and comprehensive strategy adopted by the European Commission on
5 October 2021. Generations after the end of the Shoah, antisemitism is worryingly on the
rise, in Europe and beyond, especially since the turn of the 21st century. 42 Following the
terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023 and the ensuing war and humanitarian
crisis in Gaza, we have seen an unprecedented resurgence of antisemitic incidents and rhetoric
in the European Union and worldwide. As stated in the Joint Communication "No place for
hate: a Europe united against hatred”43, the Commission calls "for action, for all Europeans, to
ensure that Europe is a place where our founding values are enjoyed by everyone, on an equal
basis.” Antisemitism is incompatible with Europe’s core values. It represents a threat not only
to Jewish communities and to Jewish life, but to an open and diverse society, to democracy
and the European way of life. The European Union is determined to put an end to it.

The third pillar of the Strategy covers “Education, research and Holocaust remembrance” for
a Europe that remembers its past and looks into the future through research and education. In
this context, an independent expert report was commissioned in 2022 to assess the need to
create a research hub on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life and deliver
recommendations. 44

The goal of this action is to establish a research hub in the shape of a network of researchers
on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life in Europe, bringing together a critical mass of
such actors in Europe, from Member States and Associated Countries representing the
different parts of Europe. Such a hub should foster the research field’s identity and support
training and career opportunities for researchers in the field, with a focus on early career
researchers. Indeed, the hub’s primary objectives should be to help recruit, train and retain
expert capacity in research on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life, and to help ensure
that research generated by the field can be used to help formulate policy, at national and
European levels.

One of the key expected outcomes is to prepare the sustainability of the hub. That includes
exploring and eventually securing further regional, national and European funding, including
(but not restricted to) a possible development into a permanent research infrastructure or

41
Text of the strategy available here: https://op.europa.eu/s/zXwi. The first progress report on its
implementation can be found here: https://op.europa.eu/s/zXwh
42
See, for instance, the third survey of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights on
discrimination and hate crime against Jews, available at: https://fra.europa.eu/en/project/2023/third-fra-
survey-discrimination-and-hate-crime-against-jews
43
https://commission.europa.eu/document/c60c451c-ccd2-406a-be3a-ef65123f2bb6_en
44
Independent Expert Report “The field of research on contemporary antisemitism and Jewish life -
Working towards a European research hub” (2023)

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European partnership. Proposals must demonstrate the capacity of the consortium to secure
funding beyond the project’s lifetime.

In practical terms, the hub should be embedded within an appropriate existing research
community– to help manage the practicalities of the work and to ensure optimal synergy with
the field as it is currently constructed. It must provide opportunities for members to meet in
person (in the shape of conferences, seminars, events etc) across geographical Europe. It
should have a governance structure that includes an executive board comprised of leading
research and policy specialists in the field, a permanent professional secretariat, and be
supported by professionals in the areas of social research and policy, training, event
management and communications. The hub should have a strong online presence to support
its objectives that should be focused on promoting the field and drawing in students,
researchers and policymakers who have an interest in it.

In the long term (5 to 10 years), the hub is expected to contribute to stimulate interest in the
field and attract talents at all career stages. Among possible actions, it could oversee an
internship programme for postgraduate researchers and/or start a summer school program. It
is also encouraged to build a programme to help establish and distribute research grants for
PhDs in contemporary antisemitism and in Jewish life, as well as smaller training grants for
researchers at all levels to develop methodological, policy development and knowledge
transfer expertise. For more senior scholars, the hub is expected, in the next 5 to 10 years, also
in the long term, to help create new academic positions focused exclusively on contemporary
antisemitism and on specific aspects of European Jewish life (history, sociology, education,
literary/media studies, demography, culture, heritage, etc.) and to provide the space for these
position-holders to network together, in order to increase the impact of the research. In order
to improve retention and growth in the field, the hub should establish also in the long term at
least one annual prize for an outstanding established scholar in the field and for an early
career researcher, to help give prominence to the field and encourage new and existing
research specialists. In addition, the hub could for instance, also in the long term, work with
major foundations operating on countering antisemitism and in fostering European Jewish
life, promote initiatives that help make existing field research accessible to researchers and
policymakers, and offer grants to Jewish community organisations in Europe to fund specific
research projects.

The hub should act as an interface between research and policy. Consequently, it must
organise at least one international conference gathering researchers, community leaders and
policymakers. It is strongly encouraged to set up an annual conference that should continue
running beyond the end of this action. In addition, it must publish annual reports summarizing
the new research and research trends in the field in a format accessible and useful to
policymakers.

Given the global dimension of antisemitism, international cooperation is encouraged.

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Applicants to this topic are encouraged to consider the data offered by European Research
Infrastructures in the social sciences and humanities domain, in particular EHRI (European
Holocaust Research Infrastructure.45

Given the level of ambition of the goals to be achieved, the project should have a minimum
duration of 36 months.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-08: Understanding and addressing gender-

based violence against politically active women and LGBTIQ people

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 7.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 46.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU and national policymakers and relevant stakeholders get an enhanced understanding

of the drivers of violence against politically active women and LGBTIQ people,
including intersectional dynamics involved such as racial or ethnic origin, religion or
belief, disability, age or sexual orientation.

• Enhanced prevention and early intervention through a better understanding of the drivers
of violence as well as the short- and long-term impacts of violence on women and
LGBTIQ people engaged in online and offline political activities; and how these public

45
https://www.ehri-project.eu/
46
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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activities of targeted individuals evolve following instances of violence, drawing on the

lived experience of gender-based violence survivors.

• Uptake of evidence-based policy recommendations by policymakers and relevant

stakeholders on tackling gender-based violence in conjunction with violence against
politically engaged women and LGBTIQ people, promoting equal participation in
political activities and addressing harmful narratives surrounding these issues, with a
particular attention to those rooted in intersectional discriminations.

• Broader adherence to media guidelines on responsible, ethical, and safe portrayals of and
reporting on gender-based violence in a political context, embedding gender-sensitive
and intersectional reporting and incorporating successful initiatives with demonstrable
and positive social outcomes.

• Promotion of an environment that encourages public participation of women and

LGBTIQ people, notably from underrepresented groups, through greater collaboration
among media outlets, political parties, cultural and educational institutions, and
organisations on human rights, political empowerment, and gender-based violence
prevention.

Scope: The increased participation of women and LGBTIQ people in public life47 coincides
with a rise in two severe forms of violence: politically motivated violence targeting public
figures and gender-based violence. When these two forms of violence intersect, they obstruct
progress toward gender equality, reinforce traditional gender norms and power imbalances,
and pose significant threats to democratic societies. The EU Directive on combating violence
against women acknowledges the impact of such violence on women active in public life,
particularly its silencing effect and its undermining of principles of equality, inclusion, and
representation. Moreover, the political guidelines for the European Commission (2024–2029)
position the fight against gender-based violence as a central element of the Gender Equality
Strategy for post-2025, notably to empower women in politics 48 . In this context, politics
should be understood as extending beyond formal structures to include a wide range of public
engagement activities, such as activism, community organising, and civic involvement.

This violence occurs in various forms, including sexual and physical threats and assaults,
harassment, reputation smearing and/or character assassinations, disinformation campaigns
exploiting misogynistic narratives, and deceptive image manipulation. With technological
advancements, the methods of violence and harassment have moved online and become
increasingly sophisticated and viral, exemplified by phenomena like deepfakes, which poses a
threat through gender-specific and sexualised disinformation. Their consequences, however,
extend to the physical world, causing physical and psychological harm, as well as impacting
professional and personal reputations, quality of life, and family.

47
Entails but not limited to public representatives, journalists, investigative reporters, human rights
defenders, activists, civil society actors, political figures, and anonymous individuals engaging in the
public spheres.
48
Political Guidelines for the next European Commission 2024-2029, https://europa.eu/!wywg4P, page
20.

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Both political and media spheres serve as influential platforms where norms are shaped and
maintained. Media, including radio, television, newspapers, magazines, and the internet, are
key sites of power and influence over public opinion and gender socialisation processes.
However, coverage of gender-based violence cases is often sensationalised and biased,
especially when combined with violence against public figures, perpetuating harmful
stereotypes and narratives. There is a significant research gap in understanding how the
dissemination of these narratives influences public perception and awareness. Proposals
should gather data on this impact and counteract sensationalism, misogyny, and the
propagation of harmful narratives to position the media as catalyst for positive change.

Critical research gaps remain in understanding the intersections of gender-based violence and
politically motivated violence, particularly adopting an intersectional perspective and
considering cultural factors. For instance, little is known on how fictional and non-fictional
narratives influence public awareness and perceptions of gender-based violence against
politically active women and LGBTIQ people. These gaps in knowledge can lead to
inadequate responses and support systems, as well as victim blaming.

To address this, a comprehensive multi-country approach involving both quantitative and

qualitative data collection and analysis is essential, including on how harmful representations
of gender-based violence affect violence levels in democracies. Proposals are encouraged to
look into cultural beliefs and practices, considering perspectives from diverse fields such as
cinema, television, and literature to explore how different cultural representations and national
context influence perceptions and responses to such intersecting violence.

In addition, politically driven violence and gender-based violence intersect with various forms
of discrimination, including but not limited to racism, homophobia, and transphobia 49 .
Proposals should look at researching intersectionality in this context to enhance our
understanding of how the perpetration and experience of gender-based violence can vary
based on the social identities and community belonging(s) of both the victim and the
perpetrator, thereby necessitating a nuanced and multifaceted recognition and response.

Proposals should adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating fields such as political

science, gender studies, media studies, cultural studies, sociology, psychology, history, and
geography.

Proposals should engage stakeholders and civil society organisations in the development of
research activities to ensure uptake.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

49
Racist and anti-LGBTQ+ rhetoric especially is on the rise:
https://fra.europa.eu/en/publication/2024/lgbtiq-crossroads-progress-and-challenges;
https://fra.europa.eu/en/news/2023/black-people-eu-face-ever-more-racism;
https://www.ilga-europe.org/report/annual-review-2023/

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Projects are encouraged to collaborate with the projects funded under HORIZON-CL2-2025-
01-TRANSFO-01: “Tackling gender-based violence in different social and economic
spheres”. Projects are also encouraged to exploit potential complementarity with projects
funded under HORIZON-CL2-2021-DEMOCRACY-01-03: "Feminisms for a new age of
democracy” and HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-05: "Gender-roles in extremist
movements and their impact on democracy”. Moreover, projects could exploit potential
complementarities with projects funded under Cluster 3 of Horizon Europe, for instance under
the topic HORIZON-CL3-2021-FCT-01-06: “Domestic and sexual violence are prevented and
combated”. Synergies with projects funded under the call for proposals to prevent and combat
gender-based violence and violence against children (CERV-2024-DAPHNE) are encouraged.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-09: The autocratic appeal: nature, drivers

and strategies

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 50.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers, public authorities and citizens at large are equipped with updated and
exploitable scientific knowledge and understanding of the increasing autocratic
tendencies, also in established democracies, including digital authoritarianism and
erosion of human rights, as well as of the factors contributing to the rise of these

50
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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tendencies (including the spread of disinformation in the public sphere, public

disparagement of the rule of law, excessive use of police force, demonization of political
opposition...).

• Public authorities, journalists and publics alike are provided with methods and tools
capable of a) early warning and characterisation of autocratic tendencies, their drivers
and strategies; and b) identifying tactics for resisting and combating them.

• Relevant actors (democratic governments, media, civil society organisations) are enabled
to take more informed decisions when engaging and dealing with autocracies.

Scope: In many parts of the world, democracies are under attack. Reports and indicators51
confirm that we are in an ongoing wave of autocratisation, with the number of autocracies
increasing steadily since around the turn of the century. Instead of the announced “end of
history” through the triumph of the liberal democratic order, authoritarianism seems to have
gained appeal while the democratisation wave rolls back. The ongoing invasion of a
democratic European country by an authoritarian regime is just one token, and consequence,
of the current autocratisation wave.

How does autocracy work in the twenty-first century? Why does authoritarianism continue to
spread, not only as an alternative to, but also within liberal democracy, where populist leaders
frequently deploy authoritarian tactics and practices, weakening and eroding the rule of law
from the inside, while continuing to gain strength and popularity? The growing acceptance of
autocratic approaches in well-functioning established democracies is an under-researched
phenomenon, and therefore scientific knowledge and understanding of those tendencies could
contribute to the development of tools to counteract them. Social and psychological aspects
will need to be considered for such an analysis. While doing so, research should not overlook
historical experiences with autocratic regimes in order to highlight commonalities and
differences, so that the lessons from the past underpin current analysis and responses.

Resistance against autocratisation requires also further investigation. While not overlooking
structural pre-conditions, patterns of autocratisation, as well as the motivations and strategies
used by authoritarian actors, the research to be funded should also look at the actors resisting
autocratisation and their strategies, investigating the modalities, actors and patterns of
resistance against processes of autocratisation, so as to generate updated and exploitable
scientific knowledge on this field. Could media literacy, culture, creativity and arts, for
instance, play a role in stemming autocratic tendencies?52

When analysing resistance strategies, proposals should consider how increased autocracy and
anti-democratic tendencies go hand in hand with the global setback on gender equality and
sexual and reproductive rights. While scientific evidence shows that high levels of democracy

51
For instance, those from the annual Democracy Reports published by the Varieties of Democracy
Institute.
52
The Annex to the Council Resolution on the EU Work Plan for Culture 2023-2026 (2022/C 466/01)
states for instance that “cultural co-creation can authentically underpin and credibly communicate our
European values, including artistic liberties and cultural rights, in large parts of the world, and thus help
contain the reach of authoritarian systems.”

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and education promote egalitarian gender attitudes and that gender equality is much more
likely to be the norm in democratic countries, some autocracies also embrace certain gender-
equality reforms even if only to boost their international image. This adoption of gender-
equality reforms to distract from persistent authoritarian practices shows that to understand
both progress and backlash, research should consider the causes and consequences of
autocracies’ pursuit of gender equality. This will shed light on the patterns and drivers of
autocracies in the twenty-first century.

The resistance against autocratisation tendencies has also moved into the digital realm, in
order to counteract the “digital authoritarianism”53 to which authoritarians and authoritarian-
leaning leaders have resorted to. In the digital age, authoritarian power is built and sustained
in transnational and globalized configurations that involve state and non-state actors, cutting
across regime types. Via online censorship, internet shutdowns, digital surveillance and online
information manipulation, aspiring autocrats try to silence and disable access to information.
Proposals should aim at disentangling the actor configurations engaged in digital authoritarian
practices and investigate how these practices fit within the larger authoritarian playbook. In
parallel, they should also focus on the challenges brought by resistance to digital
authoritarianism, such as protests and investigative research and advocacy, enriching the
analysis of the resistance playbook.

Proposals should investigate how to effectively protect democracies from autocratic

tendencies and narratives. What means and strategies for protection are at the disposal of
different stakeholders (public authorities, civil society organisations, media, citizens)? How
can autocratic reforms be reversed and overcome without resorting to anti-democratic means
(e.g. party bans, presidential executive orders, censoring) nor inducing large protests leading
to increased polarisation?

Proposals could also look into the interrelations between the phenomena of science scepticism
and science-denial, distrust in democracies and the autocratic appeal. Proposals should adopt
a multidisciplinary, and actor-based, approach, integrating fields such as political science,
law, sociology, psychology, media and digital studies, gender studies, and history. Proposals
should engage citizens, civil society organisations etc. in the development of their activities to
ensure calibration and uptake.

The rise of autocracies and populisms in Europe is not an isolated phenomenon and needs to
be looked at within a global context. Therefore, international cooperation is encouraged.

Proposals are encouraged to seek collaboration whenever possible with relevant projects
selected under previous EU-funded calls, such as HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-
05, under Horizon Europe, or GOVERNANCE-03-2018, SU-GOVERNANCE-09-2020 and
SU-GOVERNANCE-11-2018, under Horizon 2020. Clustering and cooperation with other
selected projects under this topic and other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

53
Understood as the practices that rely on digital technologies to prevent critical debate and accountability
demands to powerholders by disrupting information flows and free expression and/or by using digital
technologies to survey citizens, activists, civil society organisations.

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HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-10: Economic inequalities and their impact on

democracy

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 54.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Enhanced understanding of the interplay between economic inequalities and attitudes

towards democracies, achieved by adopting an intersectional perspective across local,
national, and transnational levels and acknowledging varying territorial contexts.

• Deeper insights into economic inequalities, including citizens’ own perceptions of such
inequalities, and their impact on public participation, the shaping of attitudes for instance
towards women’s rights and gender equality, as well as trust in democratic processes.

• Enhanced policymakers’ awareness through evidence-based policy recommendations on

the relationship between economic inequalities and attitudes towards democracy,
bridging research and policy by presenting data and potential solutions to foster
informed discussion and adoption of targeted measures.

• Existing data are used effectively and new data avenues are explored to better
understand and address the impacts of economic inequalities, as well as citizen’s own

54
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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perceptions of these inequalities, on democratic participation and trust in democratic

institutions.

• Novel and intersectional approaches to enhance understanding of and participation in

democratic processes among economically vulnerable populations, including low- or no-
income individuals, and those (at risk of) experiencing downward mobility from the
middle class, integrating factors associated with social mobility and individual
characteristics such as age, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion, or belief.

Scope: Economic inequalities, encompassing wealth and income inequalities (e.g., in the form
of money, financial assets, or real estate), pose a significant challenge to democratic societies.
Over the past decades, while between-country inequality has generally decreased, within-
country inequality has risen in numerous countries as global economic growth has not been
evenly distributed. This widening gap in wealth has exacerbated political polarisation and
fuelled distrust in democratic institutions worldwide. These trends not only suggest
correlations between these phenomena, but also threaten core democratic principles such as
social justice, inclusion, and equal participation and representation. For instance, extremist
parties often gain traction when governments fail to protect those disadvantaged by economic
changes. Research indicates that governmental shortcomings in protecting those marginalised
by structural economic shifts (e.g., cuts to social security entitlements, public investment
and/or tax increase) fuel the roots of populism. Understanding this cycle and the complex
relationship between economic inequality and democracy is key for a functioning democratic
society. Proposals are encouraged to look at the efficiency and effectiveness of public policies
in addressing inequalities. For instance, examining the gap between the design and
implementation phases of policies aimed at reducing economic inequalities can help better
understand their impact on democracy.

Historically, economic disparities have sometimes revitalised public participation and

political engagement in various forms, such as trade unions, civic involvement, and political
parties. This contrasts with contemporary trends where economic inequalities often correlate
with disinterest or even rejection of democracy. Hence, there is a pressing need for research to
delve into why, how, and to what extent economic inequalities can undermine trust in
democracy and broader societal structures, and how to counteract these trends. Proposals
should consider diverse territorial contexts, moving beyond urban/rural dichotomies, and
explore strategies to bolster democracies in these different contexts.

Moreover, research has shown that economic inequalities, when assessed solely through
economic indicators, fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of their impact on
democracy. Citizens’ perceptions of economic inequalities appear to play a central role in
shaping attitudes towards democratic processes and institutions. These perceptions are often
exacerbated by dichotomies such as rich/poor, rural/urban, employed/unemployed,
educated/uneducated, and native/immigrant. There is a lack of comparative work including
citizens’ perceptions, particularly through an intersectional lens. Therefore, research proposals
should consider perceived inequalities as an integral part of the research framework.

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Key research questions revolve around the intersection and impact of income and wealth
inequalities on democratic practices. This involves exploring, for instance:

• How do income and wealth inequalities across different geographic and territorial areas
influence policy preferences of different social groups, notably political polarisation,
voter turnout, and trust in democratic institutions and processes.

• How perceived economic inequalities (in contrast to economic inequalities measured by

quantitative indicators) influence trust and participation in democratic processes.

• How do economic inequalities intersect with social class, racial or ethnic origin, religion
or belief, gender, disability, and citizenship/nationality in different geographic areas, and
what is the cumulative impact on democratic practices.

• What role do local media and community networks play in shaping perceptions of
economic inequality across different regions, and how do these perceptions impact
democratic engagement.

• How does geographic mobility (e.g., inter-city, rural-to-urban or vice-versa, national,

international, temporary, permanent) influence the transmission of economic
inequalities, and how do these processes affect participation and trust in democratic
institutions.

• What strategies could address varying levels of civic engagement among people and
communities from different income brackets and levels of wealth.

The funded research should also generate knowledge on intergenerational transfers, that is,
inheritances and inter-vivos gifts, (perceived) inequalities, and their impact on democracy:
how do these intergenerational transfers influence wealth inequality, and thus, in line with the
main subject of this call, how do they impact democracy, for instance in terms of participation
or trust in institutions?

When exploring economic inequalities, proposals should consider at least three additional
intersecting dimensions of inequalities alongside economic ones, such as gender, disability,
social class, religion or belief, age, and racial or ethnic origins. For example, recent research
across all EU Member States reveals that young men residing in regions marked by rising
unemployment and perceived inequities in public institutions are inclined to view democratic
principles like gender equality as challenges to their interests. Understanding these dynamics
is crucial for addressing how economic inequalities intersect with democratic values and
social attitudes.

Proposals are encouraged to involve diverse disciplinary perspectives, including but not
limited to economics, political economy, political science, public administration, history,
(political) sociology, (social) psychology, gender studies, and public policy. Approaches that
combine social science theories with data science techniques or incorporate novel mixed
methodologies are encouraged.

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Proposals should involve a diverse array of stakeholders, including representatives from trade
unions, civil society organisations, social welfare bodies, and (local) government
representatives.

Applicants to this topic are encouraged to make use of the data provided by European
Research Infrastructures in the social sciences and humanities domain, particularly CESSDA,
the European Social Survey or SHARE.55

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

Cooperation should be sought with the Community of democracy practitioners and

researchers funded under HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-12. Moreover, proposals
should build on the results of other EU projects, including the one funded under H2020-SC6-
REV-INEQUAL-05-2016 - Inequalities in the EU and their consequences for democracy,
social cohesion, and inclusion.

It is encouraged that proposals also exploit potential complementarities with projects funded
under the following H2020 topics: REV-INEQUAL-07-2016: Spatial justice, social cohesion,
and territorial inequalities; GOVERNANCE-04-2019 – Enhancing social rights and EU
citizenship, and, under the following Horizon Europe topics: TRANSFORMATIONS-03-
2018-2019: Innovative solutions for inclusive and sustainable urban environments; and
TRANSFORMATIONS-22-2020: Enhancing access and uptake of education to reverse
inequalities as well as with Horizon Europe projects funded under HORIZON-CL2-2022-
DEMOCRACY-01-03: The impact of inequalities on democracy and HORIZON-CL2-2023-
DEMOCRACY-01-07: Intersectionality and equality in deliberative and participatory
democratic spaces.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-11: Balancing the fight against disinformation

and the right to freedom of expression

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

55
https://www.cessda.eu/, https://www.europeansocialsurvey.org/ and https://share-eric.eu/

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Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 56.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU institutions, national decision-makers, practitioners in relevant sectors, civil society

organisations and other societal actors are better equipped to confront and prevent
misinformation and disinformation, while protecting and respecting the freedom of
expression and academic freedom.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers have a better understanding of the actors

opposing policies and initiatives aimed at combating disinformation, including
understanding the drivers behind their narratives, and are better equipped to engage with
them.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers understand how digital media shapes

public opinion and can regulate it without compromising citizens' rights to information,
media freedom, privacy, and protection from harm.

In addition, projects should contribute to at least one of the following expected outcomes:

• Media, education and security practitioners are increasingly knowledgeable about tools
and legal remedies to counteract the narratives of those opposing policies and initiatives
designed to combat disinformation, and to recognise and counter their drivers.

• EU institutions and national decision-makers have a better understanding of the role of

independent media and the role and importance of “media dissemination hubs” and
professional “mediators” who facilitate citizens’ access to professionally produced
content and analyse the crucial aspect of access to information (such as availability,
accessibility, affordability, comprehensibility, transparency, inclusivity, privacy and
security).

• EU institutions, national decision-makers, and practitioners in the media sector have a

better understanding of astroturfing, its use in spreading misinformation, and are
equipped with tools and policy recommendations to recognize and counter this
phenomenon.

56
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• EU institutions, national decision-makers, practitioners in the media sector, and other

relevant societal actors have adequate educational materials to understand how to design
and implement initiatives to combat mis- and disinformation without harming freedom
of expression.

Scope: Misinformation and disinformation can thwart political and societal responses to
external challenges, such as climate change, public health, or migration. Solutions to such
challenges, to be successful, must be based on evidence.

Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right that involves the right to hold and
express one's opinions, as well as the right to receive and impart information and ideas,
without prior authorization (censorship) or other forms of interference from the government
or any other form of public authority. Therefore, freedom of expression is crucial to
democracy and a key value of the European project, and it is closely linked to the role of the
independent (news) media, a key pillar for checks and balances in a democratic system.57

Proposals should investigate how the functioning of the media systems (in particular the data-
driven information systems, that use data as a core component of their operation, decision-
making processes, and overall functionality) favours disinformation, including gendered
disinformation and anti LGBTQ+ rhetoric, by creating an optimal environment for its
creation, diffusion and proliferation.

Proposals are encouraged to look into the market incentives for media that promote mis- and
disinformation, such as decline in viewers and incentives to focus on content that promotes
engagement over factuality. This trend is driven by the need to catch audience attention in a
competitive media landscape, which often prioritizes sensationalism and emotional reactions
over accuracy.

Proposals should also explore how regulations aimed at countering disinformation can be
conceived in compliance with citizens' fundamental rights, such as the right to freedom of
expression, and preserving independent and pluralistic news media.

Proposals should investigate how to develop a diverse and healthy online (news) media
sphere, through the design and management of trust indicators and comparison between facts
and opinions on social media platforms, browsers, and websites, to help citizens distinguish
content produced with journalistic standards from non-sourced content and opinions. Such
investigation should consider existing initiatives such as browser plugins and journalism trust
indicators and should be developed/tested with media organisations. Therefore, research
activities should involve media organisations and/or media practitioners, as well as
information spreaders (individuals or entities that actively disseminate information across
various platforms and channels, such as influencers, among others), in consultation and
piloting activities to develop theoretical models and policy recommendations. The

57
Article 11 of the European Charter of Fundamental Rights and article 19 of the Universal Declaration of
Human Rights provide the guiding definitions of this right, which encompasses also the freedom of
artistic expression: https://fra.europa.eu/en/eu-charter/article/11-freedom-expression-and-information
and https://www.un.org/en/about-us/universal-declaration-of-human-rights

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involvement of these categories of stakeholders is particularly important to develop

innovative methodologies and solutions to counter growing phenomena, such as astroturfing.
Astroturfing misleads by impersonating grassroots support through fake accounts or paid
actors, amplifying visibility and public influence of misleading media content. It undermines
trust in genuine online exchanges, manipulates public opinion, and reinforces echo chambers.
This misuse of digital platforms spreads disinformation, undermining online debate integrity.

Proposals are also encouraged to investigate the role of professional “mediators”, i.e.
individuals and entities involved in the development, structuring, and dissemination of media
content: journalists, editors, producers, and broadcasters. These “mediators” play an important
role in understanding and filtering information before it reaches the public and are critical in
developing narratives and shaping public discourse. Moreover, proposals are encouraged to
investigate the role of "media dissemination hubs”, which distribute information and influence
public opinion and public discourse through news, entertainment, and other types of content
(such as platforms similar to traditional media, newspapers, TV, radio, and digital channels,
namely social media, news websites).

Proposals should develop policy recommendations and methodologies for how to define and
provide legal safeguards for legitimate limitations to the freedom of expression (for instance,
but not limited to, Holocaust denial, hate speech, incitement to violence, dehumanization of
political opponents).

Proposals should build on past EU-funded projects, and seek cooperation with on-going ones,
as well as plan to exploit potential complementarities with project(s) funded under
HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-05 — Evolution of political extremism and its
influence on contemporary social and political dialogue; HORIZON-CL2-2022-
DEMOCRACY-01-06: Media for democracy – democratic media; HORIZON-CL2-2022-
DEMOCRACY-01-07: Politics and the impact of online social networks and new media;
HORIZON-CL3-2021-FCT-01-03: Disinformation and fake news are combated and trust in
the digital world is raised.

Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this topic and other relevant
projects are strongly encouraged.

Research activities should involve a wide range of stakeholders and societal actors, including
non-scientific and non-academic ones, such as, but not limited to public bodies, policymakers,
private corporates, media organisations, non-governmental organisations, civil society
organisations, educational bodies, education and security practitioners, libraries and other
cultural heritage institutions. The latter, with their extensive collections - including newspaper
archives and web archives from recent decades - can provide valuable historical insights and
help study the evolution of disinformation practices over time. Proposals are encouraged to
make use of participative methodologies and experimental methods.

Research activities should also involve entities which are signatories of the Code of Practice
on Disinformation, and entities which are subject to the Digital Services Act (DSA) and to the
European Media Freedom Act (EMFA).

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Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-12: The role of civic and citizenship education

for strengthening civic and democratic participation and support for common European
values

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
For the outcomes of this topic to be met, applicants must include in
their consortia at least two of the following type of entities: public
authorities with the capacity to roll out curricula, or institutions in
charge of teacher education and training, or education and training
institutions.
For the same reason, the topic also requires the involvement, as member
of the consortia selected for funding, of at least one civil society
organisation.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 58.

58
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers, education and training institutions, and educators have a better

understanding of the impactful learning, teaching and assessment of citizenship
education (underpinned by research and evidence), including formal or formal and non-
formal learning.

• Policymakers, education and training institutions, and educators gain a sound

understanding of the impact of citizenship education related formal or non-formal
learning on young people’s (aged 15-29) civic and democratic engagement (through
different forms of community and political engagement), including young people from
disadvantaged backgrounds, and considering gender-specific barriers and opportunities.

• Policymakers, education and training institutions, and educators gain a sound

understanding of effective collaborative mechanisms between different actors in formal
and/or non-formal education sectors in delivering effective citizenship education.

• Policymakers, education and training institutions, and educators are more aware of and
can roll out competence-based, transformational (fostering critical thinking and personal
development) and action-oriented (fostering active civic engagement and democratic
participation) pedagogical approaches to citizenship education, including innovative
learning methodologies.

Scope: Education should equip young people with competences for their personal, social,
professional as well as civic development, enabling them to contribute to the future of our
democracies, by shaping active, engaged and creative citizens who are aware of their shared
values and able to improve their living environment, as recalled in the 2023 Council
conclusions on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European
values and democratic citizenship59. In the current context of growing social concerns and
political polarisation, as well as in some cases insufficient engagement of young people in
democratic life, we need effective educational and training tools to increase and nurture civic
engagement and democratic participation and trust in democratic processes. How can
different types of citizenship education (including combining formal education with non-
formal or informal learning) increase the level of democratic knowledge, and encourage
young people to become more involved in their communities and in democratic decision-
making?

This involves developing citizenship competence, in line with the 2018 Council
Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning 60 , and includes, for example,
building knowledge and understanding of the European common values, of citizens’
obligations and responsibilities, developing critical thinking in understanding main
contemporary events and history, understanding of social and cultural diversities and how

59
Council conclusions on the contribution of education and training to strengthening common European
values and democratic citizenship
60
Council Recommendation on key competences for lifelong learning

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national identities contribute to the European identity, an ability and willingness to

constructively communicate and engage with others in common or public interest and in
decision-making, as well as supporting equality and diversity, culture of peace and non-
violence.

The aim of this topic is twofold. First, to understand and enhance – through innovative
methodologies tested and measured by successful projects – young people’s civic knowledge
(understanding of democratic institutions and processes) and democratic citizenship attitudes,
as well as their experiences, willingness, and opportunities to engage in their communities and
participate in civic life, fostering a culture of dialogue, democratic debate, and tolerance.
Second, to assess the effectiveness of the teaching methods used to promote civic knowledge,
attitudes, and engagement, ensuring they contribute to the development of informed and
active citizens.

Proposals must consider learning in formal educational settings, and can also examine non-
formal educational settings (e.g. extra-curricular activities, community service projects, youth
clubs etc.). While both formal and non-formal learning are relevant and interesting for the
purpose of the topic, they are very different in nature, with some overlap, and would require
different research methods and approaches, which can be costly. The focus of research should
be on formal education, while research on non-formal education would bring an added value
because of the interplay: whether and how formal education actors collaborate with non-
formal education actors, for example.

Proposals should address both young people from disadvantaged and from non-disadvantaged
backgrounds and should also consider the gendered aspects of young people’s engagement,
looking at the different barriers and opportunities for young women and men. Proposals
should cover ages 15 to 29.

In order to be considered, proposals must show how they will design, pilot and test
methodologies in formal learning, or in formal and non-formal learning, such as pedagogical
approaches on transformational and action-oriented learning, aimed at helping to create
critically engaged participants in society, civic learning opportunities, measures related to
open classroom climate or student co-creation of education institution related policies and
processes (democracy-in-action learning environments). Proposals are encouraged to use
mixed methods approaches combining qualitative and quantitative (e.g. small, randomized
control trials to test the effectiveness of specific interventions) methods. They may include
methodologies for direct youth participation in decisions that concern them, for example in
school, sport, cultural activities, public space, any policies in the remit of local
administrations. Proposals are expected to pilot innovative methodologies, and not simply to
test existing protocols. They are encouraged to include young people in the design of these
innovative methodologies and may develop digital gamified pedagogical tools.

Proposals must also present how they will produce step-by-step explanations for education
and training institutions, educators, national education authorities, and policymakers to roll
out innovative methodologies in formal and possibly also non-formal learning, designed to
create positive effects on levels of civic engagement, a culture of democratic debate,

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tolerance, and understanding of democratic institutions and processes. To help improve the
supply and quality of democratic citizenship education, proposals must develop guidelines on
methodology, content and teacher training, a toolbox of pedagogical materials for teachers,
and assessment tools to help identify implementation gaps.

The proposed research should also examine what educational tools and approaches need to be
in place in formal, or formal and non-formal education, to equip young people for
constructive participation in democratic decision-making, understanding of social and cultural
diversity, readiness to support inclusive societies, and peaceful conflict resolution. Proposals
may also devise (and run) ways to measure the extent to which extending the right to vote to
young people aged 16 and 17 has increased their political participation (e.g. voting in
elections), in those countries where such measures have recently been put in place, focusing
on the varying effects across different genders and intersectional demographics.

Proposals may also study where existing models and practices of civic and citizenship
education may have failed (could have a negative impact or are simply insufficient) and led to
a paucity of civic engagement, and a culture of polarisation rather than debate. This could
include, for example, an analysis of large-scale assessments of young people's knowledge and
understanding of concepts and issues related to civics and citizenship, in order to build on
previous findings in the tested methodologies.

For their contributions to the outcomes of this topic to be successful, applicants must include
in their consortia public authorities with the capacity to roll out curricula or institutions in
charge of teacher education and training, and/or education and training institutions, in order to
better understand the realities faced by those with the capacity to implement the project’s
findings and design adapted pilots and methodologies, and to facilitate the roll-out of the
methodologies successfully tested by the project. There must also be active engagement of
civil society in projects as partners, e.g. youth clubs, sports clubs, community projects, or arts
and culture organisations. Testing and innovation work packages need to be led or co-led by
public authorities with the authority to roll out curricula or education methodologies, and/or
education and training institutions, and/or educators in formal and non-formal learning.

Proposals must detail how they will develop close involvement of education bodies and
practitioners in the field of democracy promotion, and in particular those involved in relevant
projects that received support from other EU programmes, e.g. Erasmus+, European
Solidarity Corps, CERV, or Global Europe. Proposals must explain how they will establish
connections, find synergies, and build on the work of a number of projects funded under
previous Horizon Europe Calls as, for instance:

HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-04: Education for democracy; HORIZON-CL2-

2024-DEMOCRACY-01-08: Culture, the arts, and cultural spaces for democratic
participation and political expression, online and offline; HORIZON-CL2-2022-
DEMOCRACY-02-01: Network for innovative solutions for the future of democracy;
HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-03: The impact of inequalities on democracy;
HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-08: Representative democracy in flux; and

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HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-02: The future of democracy and civic

participation.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-13: Government in transition – how

governments change the way they work and prepare the civil service for the future

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 7.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the
consortium selected for funding.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 61.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Public authorities, and society at large, have enhanced knowledge (through, for instance,
country government innovation info sheets, with resulting trends in EU Member States’
governments and inspirational good practice cases on the next generation of governance
models, tools, examples, and innovative practices in government administrations) for
better future-informed public decision making.

• Policy recommendations for European Union level and Member State level actions to
adopt new approaches to governance and innovation in government administrations, and

61
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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for better (technical and financial) support to EU governments in their internal

innovation efforts and preparation for the future.

• Delivery of a comprehensive and easily digestible e-learning programme (MOOC -

massive online open course) for government officials on the subject with illustrative
examples.

• Governments (and any other relevant) actors across EU Member States initiate
collaboration to leverage national capacities in innovative governance and maintain
channels for peer learning, exchange of findings, and an open forum for elaboration of
policy solutions and responses.

Scope: Governments find themselves juggling with several demanding tasks in these times of
polycrisis where global risks and challenges are interconnected making their cumulative
impacts overwhelming. They are working to modernise their capacities to deliver on complex
public policy challenges in a fast-evolving, volatile context further complicated by
compounding crises, fading trust in public institutions, growing polarisation, challenges to
information integrity, and disengagement with traditional democratic processes. The
traditional ways of operation and strategic (multiannual) planning paradigm, with reactive
decision making, are increasingly ineffective. In this context, governments increasingly
recognise that they can no longer do without changing the ways they work, plan ahead and
develop public policies. They must take more coordinated, agile, and proactive action, work
with complete (eco)systems, engage with stakeholders intensively and get prepared for the
future. They need to reinvent government and innovate in public administrations.

This investigation will focus on how government and governance changes today and what
innovation efforts EU governments invest in. It will study major internal strategies and
change processes in government administrations; what changes governments introduce in the
ways they govern, do strategic planning, coordinate efforts across departments to develop
better public policy outcomes, work with the civil service (organizational development), and
build trust with citizens.

This research should also give voice to the civil service, examining how civil servants (in
various roles, functions and levels of decision making, and considering their age groups,
gender and level of experience and seniority) see the changing role of the state in the current
social, economic and political context, how they see their own role, organisational context and
work environment, how they cope under the current pressures, and what their visions, hopes
and needs are for the future.

This investigation intends to shed light on the complex tasks governments are dealing with,
their internal innovation efforts and change processes little known by the public, and to
showcase the immense investment and good practices governments developed and are
developing to deal with their core business in radically new ways. The three main focus areas
to be covered are as follows (non-exhaustive list):

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i. New governance paradigm - new approaches and reforms of governance: With

fading trust in public institutions extensively documented, this research should explore
the changing role of government as required by the times we are living and the
expectation of citizens, and the actions governments take to do a good job today and
prepare for tomorrow e.g. good governance in disruptive times; intentional and agile
public leadership; coordinated strategic decision making (including long-term vision,
priority setting, financial planning, human resource policy); open government
approaches; sound financial management, integrity and the use of financial information
for decision-making; democratic governance and participation; new trends in public
employment management; working with the civil service (e.g. capacity building,
organizational framework conditions conducive to innovation, supporting
intrapreneurship, bridging the political and administrative spheres of government), etc.

ii. Innovative approaches to public policy development: Traditional policymaking

practices are ineffective and do not deliver the expected solutions to wicked problems.
Solving wicked problems requires innovative and multidisciplinary approaches that
include e.g. working with complexity, engagement with stakeholders, including citizens,
systems thinking, the interconnection of data systems, experimentation and working in
iterations, and adopting an innovation portfolio approach (adaptive innovation,
enhancement- and mission-oriented innovation, anticipatory governance) to strategic
planning.

iii. From crisis management to anticipatory governance: Beyond their day-to-day

business, governments today need to innovate and adopt novel approaches through
which they not only obtain knowledge on what might happen in the future (foresight) but
also shape and prepare for it through innovation and anticipatory capabilities.
Anticipatory governance is the broad-based capacity to actively explore possibilities,
experiment, and continuously learn as part of a broader governance system that requires
systematically embedding and applying strategic foresight throughout the entire
governance ecosystem, including policy analysis, stakeholder engagement,
experimentation, future literacy and planning, that together underpin government
decision making. The project will explore government strategies from strategic foresight
through crisis preparedness to anticipatory governance, related ecosystem building,
capability development, including future literacy and preparing the civil service for the
future. It will shed light on how these strategies are embedded in existing strategic
planning processes (budget, human resources, data collection and monitoring) and how
governments adopt a long-term view across political cycles and balancing neutral
scientific advice with diverse stakeholder interests as a result.

Governments take various paths that best suit their ambition, vision, leveraging power and the
characteristics of their national context. National governments in the European Union are the
primary target for this investigation, but European regional and municipal governments as
well as documented, highly inspirational good practice cases from the global context are of
interest to learn from.

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Thorough understanding of the existing work done (data, reports, case studies, networks) by
the European institutions (e.g. Joint Research Centre of the European Commission),
international organizations (such as the World Economic Forum, OECD, United Nations,
Chandler Institute of Governance, etc.) and schools of governance, national governments and
innovation agencies in European Union Member States, needs to be built on and
complemented by large-scale (quantitative and qualitative) primary data collection and
analysis through e.g. surveying, in-depth interviews, participatory exercises, strategic
reflection workshops, etc. through intensive engagement with the relevant stakeholders.
Beyond desk research, the collection and analysis of the primary data will need to be
elaborated and justified in the proposal. The research team is expected to engage with senior
officials in national governments, at European level and international organizations (as
relevant), and will need to reach deep into the body of national civil services, therefore, access
to key people and information in government administrations (and in national schools of
governance for investigating the future generation of civil servants) will need to be
demonstrated in the proposal (as in consortium partners, demonstrated experience, solid
methodology, etc.) as one of the key factors for the successful delivery of the work.

Inspirational good practice cases and powerful stories from national governments should
provide valuable learning, and the selected projects should build a body of knowledge for
communication purposes (various channels e.g. policy briefs, publications, text and audio-
video content on social media platforms, etc.) throughout the project and for learning in the
form of government innovation info sheets and the MOOC for government officials. Active
communication, outreach activities and learning opportunities will support building a more
nuanced public image of the enormity of the task governments handle today.

The investigation should also assess the current landscape of technical and financial support
made available for and used by governments in the European Union - as well as good
examples from governments and international organizations outside the European Union - to
reform and modernize their institutions and the civil service in order to identify radically new
and more impactful ways of supporting governments’ internal innovation efforts.

Proposals should be complementary to other EU funded projects, particularly those under

HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-09: The role and functioning of public
administrations in democratic systems, and to the work of the OECD Observatory of Public
Sector Innovation, and are encouraged to seek cooperation with them as relevant.

The projects selected for funding are encouraged to collaborate with the JRC to seek
synergies with its work on place-based transformative innovation and the changing roles of
public and private actors at different governance levels.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-14: Independence of the judiciary as an

aspect of rule of law compliance

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

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Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 62.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• EU authorities and public authorities in the Member States have access to comparative
research information on the independence, impartiality and integrity of judicial
institutions across the EU to ensure the rights to an effective remedy and fair trial and to
strengthen accountability in the broad sense.

• Policymakers and judicial authorities have a better understanding of the functioning of

the safeguards for judicial independence in each other's justice systems, also
strengthening judicial cooperation between the Member States.

• Policymakers and public administration in Member States are provided with research on
the implementation at national level of international and EU rules and standards to better
assess their impact on judicial independence.

• The EU's capacity to proactively promote rule of law, fundamental human rights and
democracy is strengthened with a better understanding of the functioning of the
safeguards for judicial independence in the Member States, including their context,
current legal practice, the statutory framework, leading court cases and major relevant
developments with up to date, reliable and comparable information.

62
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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Scope: Judicial independence is a principle of EU law, closely linked to the rule of law, the
right to a fair trial and effective judicial protection, as guaranteed by the Treaty on European
Union and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the EU.

The EU already benefits from several tools to ensure the respect of the rule of law. These
instruments serve to promote the rule of law, prevent rule of law problems from emerging,
and respond to them when they materialize.

On the preventive side, one of the tools is the annual EU Justice Scoreboard which has been
providing comparable data on the independence, quality, and efficiency of national justice
systems since 2013. In addition, the annual European Rule of Law Mechanism, with the
annual Rule of Law Report at its centre, has been providing since 2020 a qualitative
assessment of significant developments in the areas of justice, anti-corruption, media
independence and institutional checks and balances in every Member State 63 , including
specific recommendations for all Member States, aiming to prevent challenges to the rule of
law from emerging or deepening.

Gaining a better understanding on the implementation of international and EU standards and

its impact on judicial independence is crucial to support the EU's capacity to proactively
promote rule of law, fundamental human rights, and democracy.

Reflecting on reform activities at national level and the complexity of national justice
systems, proposals should contribute to improve the understanding of the functioning of the
safeguards for judicial independence in each other's justice systems. This can be achieved
with a multidisciplinary research approach, complementing the data and analysis gathered
through the annual EU Justice Scoreboard and annual Rule of Law Report.

While using a multidisciplinary approach such as a socio-legal approach, proposals should

compare and critically assess national frameworks for judicial independence. Special focus
should be put on how national rules, covering e.g. the procedure regarding appointments,
promotion and dismissals of judges and members of judicial administration bodies, workload
assessment of judges, allocation of cases, disciplinary proceedings, and transfers of judges,
work in practice.

Proposals should also contribute to building concrete knowledge on current legal practice, the
statutory framework, leading court cases and major relevant developments at national level
with up to date, reliable and comparable information in the Member states and in the
enlargement countries.

Additionally, a comparative analysis on the independence, impartiality and integrity of

judicial institutions across the EU could serve as a case to illustrate the rights to an effective
remedy and fair trial, and also to strengthen accountability in the broad sense.

To support this goal, proposals should provide an outline for a comparative analysis of the
safeguards for judicial independence in the Member States and, where appropriate,

63
From 2024, the Rule of Law Report will cover also selected candidate countries.

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enlargement countries. Proposals should also highlight good practices on the implementation
of international and EU rules and standards at national level.

Based on the research on the implementation of international and EU rules and standards at
national level, policy recommendations could be developed to reflect on how judicial
cooperation between the Member States could be strengthened. These policy
recommendations could also explore among others how to support the reform process within
the Union and in the enlargement countries to ensure the rights to an effective remedy and fair
trial, and accountability.

Proposals are encouraged to network with and build on previously funded projects under the
Horizon Europe64, Horizon 2020 or other EU programmes, e.g. Citizen, Equality, Rights and
Values, and the Internal Security Fund (ISF)65. Clustering and cooperation with other selected
projects under this topic and other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-15: Community of democracy practitioners

and researchers

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.50 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
For the outcomes of this topic to be met, applicants must include in
their consortia at least two of the following type of entities: public
authorities with the capacity to roll out curricula, or institutions in
charge of teacher education and training, or education and training
institutions.
For the same reason, the topic also requires the involvement, as member
of the consortia selected for funding, of at least one civil society
organisation.

If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third

64
In particular the projects funded under HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-03: What is the long-
term impact of rule of law and other European values on socio-economic outcomes.
65
Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme - European Commission (europa.eu) and Internal
Security Fund - European Commission (europa.eu)

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countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support

action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 66.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• The networking and capacity-building work of the European network set up under
HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-02-0167 is strengthened and augmented.

• Research and innovation communities in the field of democracy and civic deliberation
and participation and citizenship education are less fragmented and better networked
across Europe.

• Researchers in democracy, including rule of law; practitioners in civic participation and

deliberation; communication experts; and public authorities and governments have
access to research results, innovative methodologies, and tools in the field of democracy
and civic deliberation and participation and citizenship education through networking
events, accessible platforms, databases, knowledge repositories, advice and capacity
building on enhancing diversity, civic participation, civic and citizenship education and
innovative and experimental deliberation processes at all governance levels.

• Public authorities and governments practice democratic innovation, by applying research

results, innovative methodologies, and tools in the field of democracy and civic
deliberation and participation and citizenship education which have been distilled by the
network into useful “how-tos" and trainings for policymakers, public authorities, and
governments.

• Policymakers and research funding organisations are provided with proposals for future
research agendas in the field of democracy.

66
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
67
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101112280

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Scope: Creating a network for researchers, policymakers and civil society organisations to
collaborate to formulate policy recommendations and to create knowledge-sharing
opportunities was the goal of the HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-02-01 call topic68: to
support a necessary tool to strengthen and renew European democracy. The goal of this
current call topic is to strengthen, augment, and pursue the work of the network 69 of
researchers in democracy together with practitioners of civic participation and deliberation
and of citizenship education across Europe, previously set up. This network should contribute
to the EU’s future policy to strengthen and renew democracy.

The selected proposal will establish an innovative successor network of democracy research
organisations and practitioners of democratic innovation, which will:

• Produce policy recommendations to strengthen and renew democracy in all governance

levels and democratic debate in Member States and Associated Countries, drawing on
the existing body of knowledge. These recommendations must be accessible, publicly
available, and well disseminated including through a central open access repository.

• Help policymakers in the EU and Associated Countries to design civic participation

strategies for relevant policy areas, in conjunction with the European Commission’s
Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy70 as relevant.

• Organise 2 retreats per year for policymakers from EU Member States, Associated
Countries and EU institutions, targeting high-level officials, to learn and exchange from
experts and peers on democratic strengthening and renewal, and encourage exchange on
emerging or persisting challenges and threats to democracy, participation, and civic
engagement.

• Design capacity building activities on inclusive participatory and deliberative forms of

democracy at different governance levels, including training and knowledge sharing.

• Organise at least one conference on democratic innovations gathering researchers,

practitioners, education bodies and EU and national policymakers.

Proposals should establish links to and seek complementarities with closely related actions,
such as relevant R&I actions funded by Horizon Europe (like the network established under
HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-12 71 ) or synergies with the Citizens Equalities
Rights and Values programme (CERV)72. Specifically, it must build on, rather than repeat or
reproduce, the work produced by Nets4Dem under HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-
02-01. Proposals are also invited to build links with global communities addressing
democracy.

68
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-
details/horizon-cl2-2022-democracy-02-01
69
https://nets4dem.eu/
70
https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/participatory-democracy_en
71
See: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101178637
72
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/cerv

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The project should have a minimum duration of 36 months.

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Destination Innovative Research on European Cultural Heritage and Cultural and

Creative Industries

Europe’s rich cultural heritage and strong creative industries not only reflect our past, but also
shape our future. It is by building on this foundation and developing our strengths that we can
face the great challenges of our time with confidence, and shape a desirable common future.
Europe's cultural heritage originates from the interaction between people and places through
time and is constantly evolving73. Every citizen has a right to engage with the cultural heritage
of their choice, while respecting the rights and freedoms of others, as an aspect of the right
freely to participate in cultural life74.

Europe’s diverse tangible and intangible cultural heritage and dynamic cultural and creative
industries (CCIs) are strategic assets. They enrich our lives, foster social cohesion and societal
resilience, and contribute to a sense of belonging. They underpin a growing economy that
generates more employment than the automotive industry and a similar trade balance as food,
drinks and tobacco combined. Many of Europe’s multinational companies build their
international success on European heritage and creativity. At the same time, the sector is
nurturing large numbers of dynamic small, medium (SMEs) and micro enterprises, creating
employment not the least for young people, while deploying their creativity not only to
generate income but also to contribute to social and cultural sustainability, wellbeing and to
projecting European values at home and abroad. The cultural and creative industries are
engines of innovation not only in themselves, but across the entire economy, thus contributing
strongly to Europe’s overall competitiveness and future prosperity.

This destination adopts a people-centred perspective and places cultural heritage and the
cultural and creative industries at the very heart of the European economy, its competitiveness
and sustainability. R&I activities under this destination will support and strengthen European
cultural heritage and cultural and creative industries essentially along the following lines:

GREEN: Europe’s cultural heritage and cultural and creative industries engage for carbon
neutrality and for adapting to and mitigating the consequences of climate change. European
citizens and societies are mobilised for an inclusive, socially and culturally sustainable
climate transition.

R&I actions will focus in particular on the establishment of a new European partnership for
Resilient Cultural Heritage, supporting cultural heritage institutions to turn the challenges of
the climate transition into opportunities, and become drivers of an inclusive societal
transition. R&I actions will for instance foment the development of new environmentally
friendly technologies and methods to manage, restore and preserve cultural heritage, with a
view to making Europe a world leader in sustainable management of cultural heritage. R&I

73
Council conclusions of 21 May 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable
Europe (2014/C 183/08) https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52014XG0614(08)
74
CETS 199 - Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society
(coe.int)

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actions will also assess the role intangible cultural heritage plays for fostering societal
resilience amidst societal challenges.

DIGITAL: The digital transition promises enormous opportunities for Europe’s cultural
heritage and cultural and creative industries, but also implies serious challenges. It is
important to ensure that, throughout the digital transition, EU citizens enjoy cultural heritage
and contribute to its interpretation and enrichment.

R&I actions will focus on how the benefits of digitised and digital cultural heritage may be
exploited, reaping the benefits while avoiding the pitfalls. A particular focus will be on
supporting the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH), as well as on
exploring challenges and opportunities of digital technologies such as artificial intelligence
for culture, creativity and cultural heritage, and the ways cultural and creative industries can
successfully engage with such technologies.

INNOVATIVE: To an ever-greater degree, creativity and cultural dimensions drive

innovation and competitiveness – while underpinning resilience and wellbeing. Cultural and
creative dimensions make new digital and physical products and services appealing and
attractive. Similarly, societal transformations depend on behavioural changes, which are
largely based on changes in lifestyle, culture and perceptions. In such processes, the human is
at the centre, and cultural heritage, the arts and the cultural and creative industries are key.

R&I actions will cover a variety of subjects, such as strengthening the capacity of European
design to act as a driver of sustainable competitiveness, and reinforcing the role of culture and
the arts for promoting European values, preventing conflicts, fostering peace and
reconciliation.

Many of the actions funded under this Destination will need access to and/or generate data.
Where appropriate, actions should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud or included in the
European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the ESFRI roadmap, as
well as data from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the
data produced in the context of such actions is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and
Re-usable).

The innovation ecosystems created and nurtured by the Knowledge and Innovation
Communities (KICs) of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), in
particular the KIC “EIT Culture and Creativity”, may contribute to actions under this
destination, and may as appropriate be considered by applicants.

In line with the Commission priorities, R&I actions under this Destination will help promote
our European way of life, contribute to a Europe fit for the digital age and to achieving the
European Green Deal goals, as well as support an economy that works for people. They will

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contribute to the New European Bauhaus 75 initiative, to reaching the UN Sustainable

Development Goals and to building a stronger, more participatory and crisis-resilient society
and economy. They will support the realisation of the full potential of cultural heritage, arts
and cultural and creative industries as drivers of sustainable innovation and a European sense
of belonging.

The topic ‘HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03: A European Collaborative Cloud for

Cultural Heritage – Innovative use cases’ aims at supporting the digital European cultural
heritage collaborative space referred to as the “European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural
Heritage” (ECCCH), and contributes to the vision and objectives of the Commission76.

An ex-ante impact assessment for the ECCCH was carried out between December 2021 and
March 2022 by eight renowned independent experts contracted by the Commission77. This ex-
ante impact assessment examined and described the needs of a digital European cultural
heritage collaborative space from the perspective of the foreseen users (cultural heritage
institutions, researchers, cultural and creative industries, etc.) and of European societies,
thoroughly reviewed existing initiatives that might satisfy parts of these needs, and outlined
the most important aspects to consider in implementing such a collaborative space.

The conclusion of the ex-ante impact assessment is that the ECCCH is highly important to
Europe’s cultural heritage institutions and to European societies. In order to address the
urgent evolving needs of Europe’s cultural heritage sector in the digital age for specifically
adapted collaborative spaces, the European Union is ramping up its investments through the
ECCCH, and also the common European Data Space for Cultural Heritage (the Data Space)78
funded under the Digital Europe programme. The topics under the ECCCH are based on the
conclusions and recommendations of the experts’ ex-ante impact assessment.

Some key characteristics of the vision for the ECCCH include:

• The ECCCH will be addressed to professionals79. It will enable an unprecedented level

of lasting collaboration and co-creation between public and private players that will
generate new realms of research, knowledge and creation of societal value.

• The basic ECCCH platform will provide easy to use tools for the most important needs.

75
The New European Bauhaus initiative was launched by European Commission President von der Leyen
in her State of the European Union speech autumn 2020. More information here: https://europa.eu/new-
european-bauhaus/index_en
76
Recommendation (EU) 2021/1970 of 10 Nov 2021 on a common European Data Space for Cultural
Heritage.
77
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Brunet, P., De Luca, L.,
Hyvönen, E., et al., Report on a European collaborative cloud for cultural heritage : ex – ante impact
assessment, 2022, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/64014
78
See further https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/library/staff-working-document-data-spaces
79
In the context of the ECCCH calls, ‘professionals’ should be understood as the wide and
interdisciplinary group of people working with cultural heritage in a professional or semi-professional
way, researchers as well as people working with related activities such as within the cultural and
creative industries.

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• Active user communities that contribute to training and support, as well as common data
models, guidelines and libraries for developing tools (including support for Graphical
User interfaces (GUI) and visualisation), will ensure that also less well-equipped
institutions will draw the full benefit of the ECCCH.

• To enhance collaboration and co-creation, IPR rights of the digital objects stored in the
ECCCH and produced by ECCCH-based collaboration will be fully recorded and
traceable. Guidelines for the use of IPR rights, such as rights statements provided by
RightsStatements.org should be used where appropriate. This will enable new business
models in the intersection between cultural heritage and cultural and creative industries.

• The long-term sustainability of data and data formats is one of the underlying principles
of the ECCCH. The ECCCH will tackle these challenges through its architecture and
basic functionalities. The design and architecture of the ECCCH is based on three
principles:

a. digital twins of heritage objects,

b. digital continuum, tracing all interactions with heritage objects and related data
objects,

c. digital ecosystem, open to all stakeholders, professions and activities to interact

with each other and with the digital heritage objects, ultimately leading towards a
new generation of multidimensional, interconnected and knowledge-enhanced
heritage data forming digital commons, where the ECCCH will play a key role.

• The architecture of the ECCCH will ensure an evolutionary design, which will allow the
adaption and incorporation of new technologies and tools and to fulfil new user
requirements, while discontinuing less used tools.

• An open Application Programming Interface will allow new functionality to be

developed and incorporated in the ECCCH by different initiatives, and encourage
interoperability.

• The ECCCH will be open and inclusive, both in terms of the users of the platform and
the connections to other related initiatives/platforms such as the Data Space.

• The ECCCH should build on the wealth of existing knowledge, technologies and work
processes in Europe. It should draw on previous experience and best practice. The
ECCCH and the Data Space should complement each other towards the common vision.

• The ECCCH should ensure, through its Governance body, the engagement of a wide
range of appropriate representatives from Member States and Associated Countries, as
well as from related EU initiatives.

The ECCCH will thus be a genuine collaboration platform, which brings together a wide array
of professions, researchers and technologies for museums and other cultural heritage

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institutions. It will include and develop interactive tools for research, curation, restoration,
preservation and for reaching out to citizens and cultural and creative industries, properly
protect and manage IPR and allow commercial as well as non-commercial collaboration with
a wide range of players.

All topics under the ECCCH are subject to the following conditions:

• All software developed should be open source, licensed under a CC0 public domain
dedication or under an open source license as recommended by the Free Software
Foundation80 and the Open Source Initiative81.

• If the use of fully open source software would require disproportional efforts or
significantly diminish the quality or performance of the software, and if suitable non
open source function libraries exist, such libraries may be used provided that a full user
license free of charge for an unlimited period of time is granted to the consortium
responsible for the ECCCH as well as to all users of the ECCCH.

• All software and other related deliverables should be compliant with the data model and
the software development guidelines elaborated by the project funded under topic
‘HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01’.

• All projects funded should participate in concertation activities with the project funded
under topic ‘HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01’

Expected impacts:

Proposals for topics under this Destination should set out a credible pathway to contributing
to the following expected impact of the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan:

• The full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative industries and sectors
as drivers of both sustainable innovation and a European sense of belonging is realised
through a continuous engagement with society, citizens and economic sectors.

Legal entities established in China are not eligible to participate in Innovation Actions in any
capacity. Please refer to the Annex B of the General Annexes of this Work Programme for
further details.

GREEN

Proposals are invited against the following topic(s):

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-01: Co-funded European partnership for

Resilient Cultural Heritage

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

80
https://www.gnu.org/licenses/license-list#SoftwareLicenses
81
https://opensource.org/licenses

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Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR N/A

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 75.00 million.

Type of Action Programme Co-fund Action

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation
and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of
Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may
additionally be used).
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the
consortium selected for funding.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
Representatives of the EU institutions will be part of the evaluation
committee.
If the proposal is successful, the next stage of the procedure will be
grant agreement preparations.

The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
financial set-up of apply:
the Grant The starting date of grants awarded under this topic may be as of the
Agreements submission date of the application. Applicants must justify the need for
a retroactive starting date in their application. Costs incurred from the
starting date of the action may be considered eligible (and will be
reflected in the entry into force date of the grant agreement).
Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties (FSTP). The
support to third parties can only be provided in the form of grants.
As financial support provided by the participants to third parties is one
of the primary activities of the action in order to be able to achieve its
objectives, the EUR 60 000 threshold provided for in Article 204(a) of
the Financial Regulation No 2018/1046 does not apply.

Given the type of action and its level of ambition, the maximum amount
of FSTP to be granted to an individual third party is EUR 10 million for

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the whole duration of Horizon Europe.

The funding rate is 30% of the eligible costs.

Expected Outcome: In line with the European Climate Law 82 and its vision for a climate-
neutral and resilient Europe by 2050, this topic aims at supporting transnational activities
which will enable or contribute to several expected impacts of the Horizon Europe
programme and its 2nd Strategic Plan 2025-2027, in particular expected impact 8, related to
realising the full potential of cultural heritage, and impact 21, related to advancing science for
a fair transition to a climate-neutral and resilient society.83 To that end, proposals under this
topic should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Public funders of research and innovation actions, policy-makers and research

communities are provided with a holistic and strategic research and innovation multi-
annual programme of activities related to cultural heritage 84 and resilience (European
Partnership for Resilient Cultural Heritage, hereafter referred to as partnership),
including challenges, expected impacts, outcomes, objectives, governance, and
opportunities for cooperation contributing to the achievement of the relevant UN
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)85 and the targets of the Paris Agreement86;

• Investments in research and innovation at the intersection of cultural heritage and

climate change sciences are increased and better co-ordinated between the two fields of
research through the sharing of findings, data, tools and methodologies across sectors for
the benefit of the society as a whole. To this end, research-based policy
recommendations will be proposed to policy- and decision-makers in different sectors of
governance at national and regional levels, with a view to overcoming existing
fragmentation in the European Research Area (ERA);

• Research funders, businesses, policy-makers, cultural heritage professionals and research

communities from various scientific disciplines covered by STEM (natural and formal

82
Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing
the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU)
2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’): https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32021R1119
83
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, Horizon Europe strategic
plan 2025-2027, Publications Office of the European Union, 2024,
https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2777/092911, p. 8.
84
Definition of cultural heritage mentioned in the Council conclusions of 21 May 2014 on cultural
heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe (2014/C 183/08) and recalled in the European
Framework for Action on cultural heritage: https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-
/publication/5a9c3144-80f1-11e9-9f05-01aa75ed71a1
85
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being, SDG 4 Quality Education, SDG 5 Gender Equality, SDG 8
Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, SDG 10 Reduced
Inequalities, SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities, SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and
Production, SDG 13 Climate Action, SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions and SDG 17
Partnerships for the Goals.
86
Council Decision (EU) 2016/1841 of 5 October 2016 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European
Union, of the Paris Agreement adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, pp. 1-3); Paris Agreement (OJ L 282, 19.10.2016, pp. 4-18

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sciences, technology, engineering, and mathematics) and SSH (social sciences and
humanities), as well as actors from different economic sectors will work towards
common objectives and measures. The long-term Strategic Research and Innovation
Agenda (SRIA) for the partnership will aim to demonstrate the role and potential of
tangible and intangible cultural heritage in advancing Europe’s climate neutrality and
green transition by providing innovative and traditional knowledge-based solutions;

• A significantly strengthened scientific knowledge base at the intersection of heritage-

and climate sciences contributes to more effective climate change adaptation and
mitigation measures. Policy-makers and various stakeholders, including local
communities, should be enabled to learn and draw lessons from the past, design and
tailor risk management to specific threats and the resulting challenges for the traditions
and living areas of different populations, cultural landscapes and sites, monuments,
intangible cultural heritage and other assets, such as museums, libraries and archives
collections under their responsibility;

• European cultural heritage professionals and stakeholders will engage with a wide range
of partners from the EU, Associated Countries and worldwide, in the research and
innovation actions under the partnership to address the global challenges of climate
change, deploy good practices and enhance cultural heritage transnational research, its
societal impact and Europe’s leading position in the field of cultural heritage and climate
neutrality.

Scope: The challenge of cultural heritage lies in preserving and safeguarding a society's rich
history, traditions, artefacts, and knowledge. This involves addressing issues such as
deterioration, damage, theft, conflict, changing societal values and new challenges such as the
climate change. In addition, it is essential to strike a balance between accessibility for future
generations and respect for cultural sensitivities.

Proposals for the co-funded partnership on resilient cultural heritage must aim to enhance
efforts to better understand and mitigate the effects of the triple planetary crisis (climate
change, pollution and biodiversity loss), with focus on the impact of climate change on
tangible and intangible cultural heritage, in line with the EU’s cultural and environmental
policies, embodied in the Creative Europe programme and the European Green Deal. 87

The partnership will focus on resilience as the individual and collective capacity to anticipate,
respond and adapt to situations where the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage
becomes more challenging due to increased risks of loss and damage. At the same time, the
potential of cultural heritage to support resilience needs to be harnessed, as cultural heritage
has a strong societal, environmental, economic and psychological dimension and contributes

87
Regulation (EU) 2021/818 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 establishing
the Creative Europe Programme (2021 to 2027) and repealing Regulation (EU) No 1295/2013:
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0818; European
Commission, Directorate-General for Communication, European green deal – Delivering on our
targets, Publications Office of the European Union, 2021, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2775/373022 ;
Legal documents on Delivering the European Green Deal - European Commission (europa.eu)

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to the construction and preservation of individual and collective identity and acceptance of
incoming changes.

Through its ability to bring together different stakeholders (e.g. research funders, cultural
heritage authorities and professionals, citizens, innovators, policy-makers), the partnership
will create a critical mass of resources to implement a long-term Strategic Research and
Innovation Agenda (SRIA), building on the work of the Joint Programming Initiative (JPI)
Cultural Heritage and the ARCHE Coordination and Support Action funded under Horizon
Europe 2021 call for proposals in Cluster 2. Proposals should build on existing knowledge,
activities and networks, notably the ones funded by the European Union, to the extent
appropriate. The input of other ERA entities such as HERA88, CHANSE89, the JPI Climate90
may be considered.

Proposals should in addition take into account the findings of the first-ever European Climate
Risk Assessment (EUCRA) report 91 , which calls for decisive evidence-based actions to
prevent lock-in in maladaptive pathways to address climate-related risks, such as in land-use
planning and long-lived infrastructure. The partnership is expected to contribute to the
Communication Managing climate risks - protecting people and prosperity, which requires
improving the science base for future adaptation actions and aims to foster innovation and
build resilience. 92 The partnership should also develop its activities considering the 8th
Environment Action Programme Mid-Term Review as published in March 2024.93

Given that climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency, intensity and complexity
of natural disasters within the Union and worldwide, the partnership should in addition
contribute to achieving the objectives of the Union Civil Protection Mechanism 94 , which
includes a focus area on cultural heritage when protecting people, environment and property
against natural and man-made disasters in a spirit of international solidarity, through practical
cooperation and coordination.

The partnership should be implemented through a joint programme of activities ranging from
coordinating transnational research efforts to other activities such as improving access to data
and services, optimising the use of and services provided by research infrastructures, as well
as networking, capacity building, training and dissemination activities.

In the preparation of topics for the partnership’s transnational calls for proposals and
additional activities, due attention should be paid to the gender dimension and the

88
https://heranet.info/
89
https://chanse.org/
90
https://jpi-climate.eu/
91
European Climate Risk Assessment — European Environment Agency (europa.eu)
92
COM(2024) 91 final; https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=COM:2024:91:FIN
93
COM(2024) 123 final;
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52024DC0123
94
Decision No 1313/2013/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 December 2013 on a
Union Civil Protection Mechanism (OJ L 347, 20.12.2013, p. 924) and Regulation (EU) 2021/836 of
the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 amending Decision No 1313/2013/EU on
a Union Civil Protection Mechanism (OJ L 185, 26.5.202, p. 1);
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/836/oj

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intersectionality of grounds for potential discrimination such as disability, age, socio-

economic status, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, etc., in order to be in line with
EU anti-discrimination policy 95 and to achieve meaningful and significant outcomes that
enhance the societal impact of the relevant activities. The advice of gender experts should be
taken into account in developing mitigation and adaptation measures at the nexus of cultural
heritage and climate change, in examining the functions of cultural heritage and related
societal values, and in supporting sustainable development.

Taking all aforementioned priorities and references into account, the partnership should aim
to:

• Build capacity by fostering fundamental and applied interdisciplinary collaborative

research (SSH and STEM) between the cultural heritage and climate research
communities.

• Provide resources and incentives to conduct holistic research and nurture collaborative
actions to drive the transformation towards more sustainable development, just futures
and a healthier way of life and overall well-being.

• Create and disseminate new knowledge, techniques, skills, strategies and materials for
sustainable preservation, conservation, and management of climate-related risks in the
cultural heritage field as well as other man-made related risks.

• Promote innovations in industries and to provide scaled-up solutions and applications for
climate change mitigation and adaptation.

• Develop a coherent methodology for obtaining reliable information, quantitative and

qualitative data on cultural heritage and climate change, as well as on the costs and
benefits of adaptation measures, with particular emphasis on processes and life cycles
related to the circular economy.

• Improve long-term monitoring of cultural heritage through the use of innovative

technologies and risk management models to document, inventory and predict the
negative and positive impacts of climate change on and through cultural heritage.

• Integrate cultural heritage into mainstream climate change and environmental

regulations, policies and adaptation strategies by operationalising heritage-based
solutions and knowledge of the past.

• Provide policy recommendations to enhance social cohesion and the European sense of
belonging through cultural heritage in communities and societies impacted by climate
change.

95
A Union of Equality: Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025, COM(2020) 152 final, https://eur-
lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52020DC0152

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• Increase collaboration across countries and regions and to move away from a focus on
individual geopolitical regions to overcome the fragmentation of the wide landscape of
stakeholders, competences, resources, policies, programmes and initiatives.

The partnership is open to all EU Member States and countries associated to Horizon Europe,
and will remain open to third countries wishing to join.96 Partners are expected to contribute
financially and/or in kind, depending on the level of ambition of the proposed activities. The
partnership should be open to new partners throughout its lifetime.

The partnership should include or engage with the following stakeholders: (i) ministries
responsible for R&I policy, as well as national and regional R&I and technology funding
agencies and foundations; (ii) ministries responsible for cultural heritage, education,
environment, spatial planning and development, tourism, etc., as well as other relevant
national and regional authorities, organisations and providers; (iii) research infrastructures
such as the European Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science (E-RIHS); (iv) industry;
and (v) charities and other non-profit organisations, for example of end-users of cultural
heritage assets, active in safeguarding cultural heritage and/or in adapting to or mitigating the
effects of climate change.

The governance structure of the partnership should implicate the relevant stakeholders in
advance to coordinate, guide and mentor the research and innovation activities and facilitate
the use and uptake of the results. The partnership’s activities should give rise to ready-to-use
solutions. The governance structure should involve key stakeholders, including, but not
limited to, the research and innovation community and cultural heritage professionals from
sectors relevant to the scope of the partnership. In order to enhance the societal impact of the
activities, the approach should empower citizens to contribute to the co-design/co-creation/co-
assessment of research and innovation agendas/contents/outcomes.

To ensure coherence and complementarity of activities and leverage knowledge and

investment possibilities, the partnership is expected to establish relevant complementarities
with other Horizon Europe actions under relevant Clusters of Pillar II, partnerships and
missions, such as “Adaptation to climate change – Climate-ADAPT”, “Restoring our ocean
and waters by 2030”, “Biodiversa+”, “Climate-neutral and smart cities”, “Built4People”, and
the “New European Bauhaus” Facility.97

Proposals should be complementary to ongoing Horizon Europe projects to ensure the

complementarity of deliverables and outcomes, where appropriate. Proposals should include a
budget for the attendance of regular joint coordination meetings and may consider covering
the costs of any other joint activity, without the prerequisite to detail concrete joint activities
at this stage. The partnership will be encouraged to develop cross-fertilisation links with
projects funded since the beginning of Horizon Europe notably under Cluster 2, following the
call topics within the Green priority of Destination 2, topics relating to the European

96
The Global Approach to Research and Innovation Europe’s strategy for international cooperation in a
changing world, COM(2021) 252 final
97
Working document on ‘Coherence and Synergies of Candidate European Partnerships under Horizon
Europe’;

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Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH) or projects such as those selected on the
basis of topics HORIZON-CL2-2021-HERITAGE-01-01 – Green technologies and materials
for cultural heritage98, HORIZON-CL2-2022-HERITAGE-01-08 - Effects of climate change
and natural hazards on cultural heritage and remediation 99 , or HORIZON-CL2-2023-
HERITAGE-01-01: Advanced technologies for remote monitoring of heritage monuments
and artefacts100.

Proposals should also explore how to co-operate with other relevant EU and international
actions and describe specific activities envisaged. They could propose to facilitate interactions
and knowledge transfer with various economic sectors such as: cultural and creative sectors
and industries (CCIs), agricultural and forestry policy, blue economy sectors, sustainable
tourism, circular economy, infrastructures and construction, as well as society changes and
transitions; urbanisation, spatial planning, regional growth, sustainable tourism
development.101

Moreover, proposals should consider synergies with different EU programmes, including EU

space programmes (Copernicus, Galileo) to foster the use of emerging or operational space
technologies for policy development, and the Digital Europe programme.102 Cooperation with
the JRC may be envisaged, in particular for actions related to monitoring monuments, cultural
heritage sites and cultural landscapes. The partnership should align with EU-wide initiatives
on open access and FAIR data (findable, accessible, interoperable and re-usable).

The partnership should be linked to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology’s
Knowledge and Innovation Community - EIT Culture & Creativity as there is a common aim
to scale up and widen to as many Member States/Associated Countries as possible a culture
and creativity-driven European innovation ecosystem.

Proposals may include synergies between Horizon Europe and European Regional
Development Fund (ERDF) programmes since Horizon Europe seeks to promote synergies
with other EU programmes and to combine Horizon Europe funding with other EU, national
or regional funding instruments in the same operation, project or initiative in order to achieve
greater impact and efficiency (cumulative/complementary funding).103

98
https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-CL2-2021-HERITAGE-01-01/en
99
https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-CL2-2022-HERITAGE-01-08/en
100
https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/HORIZON_HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-01-01/en
101
See above and European Cultural Heritage Green Paper produced by Europa Nostra in close
cooperation with ICOMOS and the Climate Heritage Network, with the input of other members of the
European Heritage Alliance, and supported by the European Investment Bank Institute and the Creative
Europe EU programme. https://www.europanostra.org/our-work/policy/european-cultural-heritage-
green-paper/
102
Regulation (EU) 2021/694 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 April 2021 establishing
the Digital Europe Programme and repealing Decision (EU) 2015/2240 (OJ L 166, 11.5.2021, p. 1–34);
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32021R0694&qid=1623079930214
103
Annex IV to Regulation (EU) 2021/695 establishing Horizon Europe. - the 2022 Commission Notice on
‘Synergies between Horizon Europe and ERDF programmes’ (2022/C 421/03)(2022/C 421/03)(2022/C
421/03); - the 2014 Commission guidance document on ‘Enabling synergies between European
Structural and Investment Funds, Horizon 2020 and other research, innovation and competitiveness-

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To address the ambitious challenges in front of the partnership, cooperation with international
organisations, the private sector and non-European institutions and experts may be
considered. The participation of third countries is encouraged but their commitment to the
partnership would not be taken into account for the calculation of EU funding. Applicants
should describe in their proposal the methodology for their cooperation and the objectives
they wish to achieve by joining the partnership.

Proposals should pool the necessary financial resources from the participating national (or
regional) research programmes with a view to implementing joint calls for transnational
proposals resulting in grants to third parties. It is expected that the partnership organises joint
calls on an annual basis and will therefore have sufficient time to carry out the co-funded
projects. Financial support provided by the participants to third parties is one of the activities
of this action in order to be able to achieve its objectives (see Legal and financial set-up of the
grant agreement in the box above).

The total indicative budget for the partnership is up to EUR 75 million and subject to the
effective implementation of the financial commitments made by the members of the
consortium.

The expected duration of the partnership is seven to ten years.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-02: Innovative approaches to intangible cultural

heritage for societal resilience

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 12.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy

related Union programmes’; - the European Court of Auditors’ Special Report No 23/2022 ‘Synergies
between Horizon 2020 and European Structural and Investment Funds – Not yet used to full potential’

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Community (2021-2025). 104.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to the following expected outcome:

• Policymakers are provided with a multi-dimensional overview and assessment of

intangible cultural heritage (ICH) role in contemporary societal challenges and European
social, economic, and cultural dynamics. A comprehensive analysis of ICH’s potential
for societal resilience and its contribution to climate change mitigation and adaptation
becomes available.

Additionally, proposals should contribute to at least two of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers (at all levels), public authorities and stakeholders have access to an array
of innovative practices, strategies, and tools for incorporating ICH in community
resilience planning, for ICH innovative safeguarding and for expanding community
engagement with ICH practice, safeguarding, and communication. This includes
awareness of gender dynamics in ICH practices.

• Innovative policies aimed at preserving ICH amid disasters, conflicts, migration, and
population displacements are supported by data and knowledge.

• New methodological approaches and tools using digital technologies for documenting,
communicating, and transmitting ICH become available. Community engagement with
ICH, particularly among youth, crucial for sustainable and intergenerational transmission
of living cultural practices, is broadened. The alliance between communities and
researchers is strengthened. The involvement of education and heritage preservation
institutions and agencies is enhanced.

• The sustainable use of ICH as source of inspiration for creative designs and practices, to
spur sustainable development and provide a valuable resource to communities, e.g. for
attracting cultural tourism, is enhanced. Measures to prevent overuse, inappropriate use,
and depletion are strengthened.

• A future research agenda is devised for sustainable ICH practices respecting cultural
diversity, human rights, and gender equality; cultural aspects of societal resilience will
be addressed.

Scope: Intangible cultural heritage (ICH) includes traditions, oral histories, performing arts,
social practices, rituals, festive events, as defined by UNESCO105. ICH represents a repository
of traditional knowledge and forms the backbone of a community's identity and continuity.

104
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
105
Convention for the safeguarding of the intangible cultural heritage (2003)
https://ich.unesco.org/en/convention. Proposals may adopt a broader definition of intangible cultural
heritage, supported by a solid scientific foundation.

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Societal challenges such as globalization, urbanization, migration, conflicts, disasters, and

climate change significantly threaten the safeguarding and transmission of these cultural
legacies. Additional threats include rural depopulation, an ageing society, and a growing
disconnection between older and younger generations 106 .Research on ICH is dynamic but
noteworthy gaps exist. There is a need for comprehensive risk assessments on the impact of
societal challenges and climate change on ICH, including the erosion of cultural practices due
to migration, displacement, or to a changed living environment.

A crucial under-researched area is the role of ICH in strengthening resilience against societal
challenges and disasters and in fostering climate change mitigation and adaptation measures.
Traditional knowledge systems and practices developed over generations by communities,
including indigenous communities, and embedded within ICH, provide insights for
sustainable natural resource management and adaptation strategies tuned to local ecosystems.
This includes identifying natural hazard risks, disaster response, and post-disaster restoration
of social and natural environments. Additionally, ICH practices such as rituals, storytelling, or
traditional craftsmanship, help preserve cultural identity while enhancing mental health and
quality of life, contributing to social well-being, community resilience, and recovery efforts.

In parallel, there is an urgent need for innovative approaches to sustain and revitalize ICH by
fostering participatory approaches that actively involve communities, with particular attention
to young people, whose engagement is key for safeguarding and transmitting ICH.
Furthermore, strengthening research-community collaboration and involving the education
sector are essential for co-creating knowledge and innovation with concrete societal impacts.
Potential areas for exploration include innovative methods to promote and safeguard ICH, and
bridging gaps in heritage roles, including women’s contribution in the safeguarding and
transmission of ICH. Advanced digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, can
innovate support for ICH through sustainable documentation, safeguarding, and
dissemination, including through immersive experiences, and respecting the balance between
safeguarding and evolution. Consideration should be given to preserving audiovisual
collections which serve as carrier of ICH and capture its history and evolution. Proposals
might consider leveraging the digital platform and tools provided by the European
Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage107.

Leveraging ICH through sustainable practices can contribute to sustainable development. ICH
reveals ways of living that are less resource demanding. For example, traditional building
techniques can inspire sustainable architectural designs; centuries-old agricultural practices
can inform organic farming; and traditional crafts, music, and folklore can drive innovation in
fashion, product design, and the arts. By integrating intangible cultural elements into modern
practices, communities can create globally resonant, high-value products while keeping their

106
UNESCO highlighted in a visual the phenomena threatening intangible cultural heritage, grouping them
into nine categories https://ich.unesco.org/dive/threat/?language=en.
107
In addition, where applicable, proposals can leverage the data and services available through the
research infrastructures included in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI)
and the ESFRI roadmap and those federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that any data produced in the
context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

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cultural significance. Cultural tourism, centred around ICH, can boost local economies, and
foster intercultural dialogue. Maintaining the integrity of ICH and preventing depletion is
essential, as is ensuring the sustainability and fair distribution of benefits from ICH among the
community.

Proposals should consider involving communities bearing and practicing intangible cultural
heritage alongside with researchers and other stakeholders. Proposals should build on existing
knowledge, activities, and networks, notably those funded by the European Union. They
should complement ongoing Horizon Europe projects and are expected to liaise with the
European Partnership on Resilient Cultural Heritage (see HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-
HERITAGE-01).

The Commission expects funded projects to regularly coordinate with relevant Cluster 2
projects (including those under the European Partnership on Resilient Cultural Heritage) to
ensure complementarity of deliverables and outcomes, where appropriate.

DIGITAL

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-03: A European Collaborative Cloud for

Cultural Heritage – Innovative use cases

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 2.50 and 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 26.00 million.

Type of Action Innovation Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If projects use satellite-based earth observation, positioning, navigation
and/or related timing data and services, beneficiaries must make use of
Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data and services may
additionally be used).

Legal and The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
financial set-up of apply:
the Grant Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Agreements Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the

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Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy

Community (2021-2025). 108.
Beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties to cultural
heritage institutions, in take-up of tools, technologies and for populating
and validating the relevant use cases through experiments. A maximum
of 15% of the budget may be dedicated to financial support to third
parties. The maximum amount to be granted to each third party is EUR
60 000.

Other conditions Beneficiaries will be subject to these additional requirements on

outputs:
All software developed should be open source, licensed under a CC0
public domain dedication or under an open-source licence as
recommended by the Free Software Foundation109 and the Open-Source
Initiative 110 . If the use of open source software components would
require disproportional efforts or significantly diminish the quality or
performance of the software, proprietary components may be used
provided that: an open functional replacement is available; they do not
introduce proprietary data formats or Application Programming
Interfaces; a full user license free of charge for an unlimited period of
time is granted to the consortium responsible for the ECCCH and all its
users.

Applicants should state clearly if all developed software will be open

source, and if not clearly explain the reasons.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Findings from thorough end-to-end testing based on real use cases contribute to a
seamlessly working, user-friendly, inclusive and powerful European Collaborative Cloud
for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH).

• By documenting and communicating the use cases deployed, a wide collection of

innovative uses of the ECCCH is elaborated, which contributes to exemplify and
illustrate its benefits and attract new users and user groups.

• By identifying and implementing improvements and engaging with users, significant

contributions are made for the ECCCH to be widely used by European cultural heritage
professionals and researchers, enabling new ways to interact, cooperate and co-create,

108
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
109
110
https://opensource.org/licenses

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thus supporting the generation of new knowledge and opening of new research
paradigms.

Scope: This topic aims at implementing real use cases and carrying out demanding end-to-end
testing of the platform and its tools, in order to verify its capabilities and improve the
ECCCH.

The activities carried out should focus on concrete use cases, undertaken by the participating
institutions, professionals and researchers with a view to improve their results or work
processes.

The activities carried out should make use of several of the key features of the ECCCH,
including the user tools implemented on it 111 . Such key features may include use of the
advanced digital twins, of the large-scale cooperation and co-creation features, of the digital
continuum or of the advanced features for commercial cooperation with, for example, cultural
and creative industries 112 . Activities carried out may also focus on the seamless
interconnection of the ECCCH with other related platforms such as the Common European
Data Space for Cultural Heritage and the European Open Science Cloud. Proposals should
outline a focus of the planned activities that best achieve the expected outcomes, which may
include some of the aspects mentioned.

Activities should involve a wide range of different organisations from across Europe, in
accordance with the focus chosen. Entities from at least five different Member States or
Associated Countries should be involved as active users of the ECCCH platform. Also,
entities of different characteristics should be involved, such as small and large organisations,
from different subsectors/areas of activity or scientific disciplines, etc.

The activities carried out and the results generated should be properly documented so as to
serve as a good base for improvements or corrections of the platform and/or of the user tools
implemented on it, and also for communicating innovative uses of the ECCCH. Contributions
should be made to extend the user base of the ECCCH by promoting use cases and outreach
activities, possibly together with or coordinated with other ECCCH projects.

Projects funded under this topic may build on testing or other activities carried out by other
ECCCH projects, but must not duplicate activities that are funded under other ECCCH
projects. Activities should add new value to the ECCCH. Therefore, projects funded under
this topic should coordinate closely with previously funded ECCCH projects and provide for
sufficient flexibility so as to avoid duplication and ensure that the activities carried out offer
important contributions to validate and improve the platform.

111
For an orientation of the range of user tools being developed, please refer to the previous ECCCH call
topics in the Horizon Europe Cluster 2 Work Programmes 2023 and 2024.
112
The key features of the ECCCH are further explained in the Destination introduction text and in the
‘Report on a European collaborative cloud for cultural heritage - Ex – ante impact assessment’ available
here:
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/90f1ee85-ca88-11ec-b6f4-
01aa75ed71a1/language-en

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Proposals should foresee own capacity to implement important improvements and fix
problems detected. Such modifications or extensions of the ECCCH platform functionality
should be carried out in accordance with the data model and the software development and
documentation guidelines of the ECCCH, established by the project funded under topic
HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01 113 . All software and other related
deliverables should be compliant with the guidelines elaborated by the project funded under
topic HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01, and should be implemented in
compliance with the design of the ECCCH, using the low-level libraries established by the
project funded under topic HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01.

To the extent that data is produced, efforts should be made to ensure that it is FAIR (Findable,
Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable). To the extent that new or modified interoperability
standards need to be developed for data sharing within and across data ecosystems, these
should build on the FAIR data principles and leverage already adopted practices, especially
those in the relevant European common data spaces and in the European Research
Infrastructures.

Financial support to third parties may be used to facilitate the engagement with ECCCH users
beyond the project consortium. The financial support to third parties can only be provided in
the form of grants.

In order to ensure good coordination among the different ECCCH projects, proposals should
make provisions to actively participate in the common activities of the ECCCH initiative.
Projects funded under this topic should coordinate technical work with the relevant projects
funded under other call topics of the ECCCH initiative, and contribute to the activities and
objectives of the project funded under the topic HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-ECCCH-
01-01. Proposals should include a budget for the attendance to regular joint coordination
meetings, and may consider covering the costs of any other joint activities without the
prerequisite to detail concrete joint activities at proposal stage.

Projects funded under this topic should set up their project websites under the common
ECCCH website, managed by the project funded under topic HORIZON-CL2-2023-
HERITAGE-ECCCH-01-01.

The Commission expects the different projects funded under this topic to establish regular
coordination mechanisms in order to ensure synchronised planning, as well as synergy and/or
complementarity of deliverables and outcomes, where this is appropriate.

The Commission recommends considering reporting periods of 12 months when elaborating

proposals.

The Commission estimates that a project duration of approximately 2 – 2.5 years is

appropriate for the projects funded under this topic, and that an appropriate time to start
activities would be the third quarter of 2026.

113
See further https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101157364

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Please also refer to the Destination introduction text to consider some key characteristics of
the vision for the ECCCH.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-04: Leveraging artificial intelligence for

creativity-driven innovation

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 4.00 and 5.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 15.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 114.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to at least three of the following expected
outcomes:

• Policy makers, Cultural and Creative Industries (CCI) 115 and other stakeholders gain
insights into the impact of AI, including, but not limited to, generative AI, on artists,
creatives, cultural professionals, creative businesses and on the market for cultural and
creative goods and services, as well as on the future of creative work.

114
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
115
“Cultural and creative industries are those industries that are based on cultural values, cultural diversity,
individual and/or collective creativity, skills and talent with the potential to generate innovation, wealth
and jobs through the creation of social and economic value, in particular from intellectual property; they
include the following sectors relying on cultural and creative inputs: architecture, archives and libraries,
artistic crafts, audiovisual (including film, television, software and video games, and multimedia and
recorded music), cultural heritage, design, creativity-driven high-end industries and fashion, festivals,
live music, performing arts, books and publishing (newspapers and magazines), radio and visual arts,
and advertising” European Parliament resolution of 13 December 2016 on a coherent EU policy for
cultural and creative industries (2016/2072(INI))

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• Policy makers, research, education, industry, and society benefit from robust, evidence-
based policy recommendations and concrete solutions promoting a mutually beneficial
interplay between CCI and AI. These policy recommendations and solutions aim for a
fairer marketplace that fosters transparency, fairness, diversity, and accountability by
design, while respecting artistic freedom.

• Policy makers, the CCI, and stakeholders are provided with case studies and evidence-
based policy recommendations to harness the CCI’ potential for AI innovation and
promote human-centric, unbiased AI applications.

• Frameworks, protocols, and tools for managing intellectual property and personality
rights in AI development, training, and use, addressing unauthorised data use and legal
breaches, are available to CCI and public authorities.

• Mechanisms or platforms, such as CCI-led competence centres or hubs, are proposed to

facilitate interaction among artists, creatives, AI specialists, cultural institutions, and
creative businesses. These will facilitate the sharing of knowledge and experiences on
AI-powered innovations and aim to develop new solutions that serve the needs of the
CCI and society at large, ultimately enhancing creativity-driven innovation.

Scope: The rapid development and deployment of artificial intelligence are increasingly
permeating and transforming economy and society, notably impacting the diverse and
dynamic domains of the CCI which, notably, are predominantly composed of SMEs. This
transformation offers significant opportunities for innovation, within the CCI and in the
economy and society at large, and poses challenges including bias, ethical dilemmas,
employment shifts, skills need, and issues related to data access, transparency, preservation of
cultural diversity and respect for creators’ rights.

To foster a culture- and creativity-driven European innovation ecosystem, it’s crucial to

understand and address these impacts, build capacity to steer development, anticipate
consequences, and prepare the CCI with the necessary skills to thrive in the new scenario.
Enhancing the capabilities of the CCI in this rapidly evolving landscape increases innovation
potential at the intersection of technology, arts, culture, and society.

Initiatives at the crossroads between art, technology, science, and society, such as the EU’s
STARTS – Science, Technology, and the Arts – demonstrate the advantages of involving
artists and creative professionals to advance innovationtond develop technologies that
resonate with individuals and reflect cultural diversity. Artistic skills like intuition,
imagination, and creativity, which are challenging for AI to replicate, along with expertise in
design, visualisation, storytelling, to mention just a few, provide fresh ideas and unique
insights for creating human-centric AI tools that address specific challenges and are designed
to be ethical, sustainable, trustworthy, culturally sensitive and enhance user experience.

To address the multifaceted intertwining of AI and the CCI, and to foster a sustainable,
innovative environment, this topic aims to:

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Explore the impact of AI - including generative AI, and emerging AI systems - on CCI
markets and audiences, ranging from individual artists and creators to processes, services,
products, and consumer interactions. Investigate AI’s current and potential applications within
CCI that enhance creativity, innovation, and competitiveness. Focus on AI integration in those
cultural and creative industries where it is most disruptive or most needed to optimise
processes and reap business opportunities, identifying key risks, changes in employment and
job profiles, and the need for upskilling, reskilling, and capacity building.

Develop a sound understanding of how the intersection of CCI and AI can drive innovation
both within the CCI and across other sectors, promoting business processes that respect and
promote cultural diversity, foster the discoverability of European content and protect and
reward human creativity. Investigate the underexplored potential of creativity and the arts to
engage with AI developments and collaborate with AI specialists and third parties when
appropriate. This can aim to design trustworthy, ethical, user-friendly intelligent systems that
meet people's needs, enhance user experience, safeguard cultural diversity, address biases
(including gender and racial biases) boost CCI’s competitiveness, and promote societal
adoption of AI.

Develop pilots, guidance, and innovative toolkits, including use cases, checklists, and
algorithms, addressing CCI needs and values, cultural diversity, and the protection of
intellectual property rights, including copyright and related rights.

Facilitate interaction among artists and creatives, AI developers, cultural institutions, creative
businesses, and third parties as appropriate, to promote knowledge transfer and enhance AI-
powered innovation in CCI. Provide mechanisms or platforms for collaborations, peer
learning, and knowledge sharing to build capacity and foster creativity-led innovation, while
integrating humanistic perspectives into AI through dialogues that blend creativity and the
arts with AI communities within research, policy, and practice.

Assess the role cultural organisations can play in training AI systems in their areas of
competence to represent multilingualism and cultural diversity in digital environments and to
foster accessibility, and the extent to which AI contributes to their value creation, enhancing
traditional methods and practices and personalising engagement with their public.

Devise strategic recommendations for policies and practices that foster a mutually beneficial
relationship between AI and CCI, propose fair rights management solutions and address
employment, skills, and innovation challenges.

Proposals should involve from the outset representatives from the CCI, including the arts and
cultural heritage, to ensure their central role in activity development. Proposals need not cover
all CCI but may focus on a specific area for thorough analysis to develop a strong knowledge
base and highlight strategic directions and routes to improvement.

Proposals should, to the extent appropriate, build on existing knowledge, activities, and
networks, especially those funded by the European Union. They should seek

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complementarities with relevant projects funded under Horizon Europe Clusters 2 and 4116
and explore synergies with projects dealing with AI and the cultural and creative sectors and
industries, funded by other EU programmes like Creative Europe, and Digital Europe.117

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-05: Evolution of culture in a virtualising world

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 2.50 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 118.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• A deepened understanding is developed and made available to scientists, policy-makers

and industry of the possible key long-term impacts on culture119 when citizens spend

116
For example: HORIZON-CL2-2024-HERITAGE-01-03: Leverage the digital transition for competitive
European cultural and creative industries; HORIZON-CL2-2024-HERITAGE-01-02 and HORIZON-
CL2-2023-HERITAGE-01-02: Cultural and creative industries for a sustainable climate transition;
HORIZON-CL4-2021-HUMAN-01-24 - Tackling gender, race and other biases in AI.
117
Proposals can leverage the data and services available through the research infrastructures included in
the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the ESFRI roadmap and those
federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data from relevant Data Spaces, including
the common European data space for cultural heritage. They could also explore digital infrastructures,
including the Alliance for Language Technologies European Digital Infrastructure Consortium (ALT-
EDIC). Any data produced in the context of this topic should be FAIR (Findable, Accessible,
Interoperable and Re-usable).
118
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
119
In the context of this topic, ‘culture’ should be understood in a holistic sense, along the definition
proposed by UNESCO in 2001: “the set of distinctive spiritual, material, intellectual and emotional

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ever more time and experience an ever-larger share of life events in virtual worlds120,
including benefits and risks in relation to human wellbeing, European values, social
cohesion and cultural and linguistic diversity.

• Research and knowledge-based measures with a long-term view are developed and put
in practice that guide development towards realising the opportunities linked to the
virtualisation of life while mitigating the most important threats.

• Significant contributions are made towards making Europe a global leader in virtual
worlds that contribute to wellbeing, social cohesion and resilience in addition to
competitiveness and growth.

Scope: As technology improves, attractive content is developed and virtual worlds become
more accessible, European citizens will spend ever more time and experience an ever larger
share of important life events in virtual and blended environments. Leading multinational
companies as well as the European Union are making great efforts to accelerate this
development, whereby it is the ambition of the European Union to create a thriving and
world-leading European industrial ecosystem for virtual worlds121.

As life thus becomes ever more virtualised, in the long term this will inevitably lead to drastic
changes in perceptions, beliefs, behaviours and values. Culture will evolve; possibly new
elements of culture will be born while old ones disappear. Creativity, cultural production and
access to culture will have an ever-greater virtual component, changing the playing field for
cultural heritage institutions as well as for cultural and creative industries. European creators
will have new ways to create, promote and disseminate European cultural content and engage
widely with new audiences.

The development towards virtualisation of life is not entirely new. For instance, gaming
communities exist since many years, where members spend large parts of their lives online,
and where virtual economic and social ecosystems can be said to have evolved. However, the
scale and breadth of the virtualisation of most aspects of human life that is to come will have
cultural impacts many orders of magnitude stronger than has been experienced thus far.

It is therefore of great importance to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the long-
term effects on culture when people spend ever more time in virtual and blended
environments - for work, entertainment, playing, studying, socialising, etc. Research should
explore both benefits and risks in depth, based on a thorough understanding of what is
realistically possible and probable in a long-term perspective. Key opportunities and threats

features of society or a social group, that encompasses, not only art and literature but lifestyles, ways of
living together, value systems, traditions and beliefs”
120
In the context of this topic, ‘virtual worlds’ should be understood as persistent, immersive
environments, based on technologies including 3D and extended reality, which make it possible to
blend physical and digital worlds in real time, in line with the Communication COM(2023) 442 ‘An EU
initiative on Web 4.0 and virtual worlds: a head start in the next technological transition’
121
See for instance the above mentioned COM(2023) 442 ‘An EU initiative on Web 4.0 and virtual
worlds: a head start in the next technological transition’

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should be identified in relation to the EU’s ambition to strengthen human wellbeing, sense of
purpose and agency, as well as social cohesion and resilience.

Based on research findings and scientific knowledge, projects should furthermore develop
measures that would help realise the opportunities of cultural evolution in virtual and blended
worlds, and mitigate the most important threats. Projects should, to the extent reasonably
possible, make sure that findings and proposed measures are valid and feasible across the
cultural diversity of Europe.

Proposals are not expected to address all aspects of the virtualisation of life, but should
choose a focus that has the potential to bring decisive benefits, and should make sure to
analyse these areas with sufficient depth to create a solid knowledge base.

Proposals should, to the extent appropriate, build on existing knowledge, activities and
networks, notably the ones funded by the European Union. In particular, projects may want to
establish links to the European Partnership on virtual worlds, in case such a partnership is
established, and may want to build on findings developed by the project ‘OPENVERSE’122.

INNOVATIVE

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-06: Europe as a global powerhouse of design for

sustainable competitiveness

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.50 and 4.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 13.50 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the

122
See further https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101135701

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Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy

Community (2021-2025). 123.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Enhanced and updated understanding of the European design[[ In the context of this
topic, ‘design’ should be understood as the process of devising or adapting products,
services or organisational and business models to the needs and desires of humans.

• As a reference, applicants may also refer to the scope of specialised design activities and
professions as identified by Eurostat under the NACE classification Revision 2
(Regulation 2023/137)]] sector and design professionals, including its cross-sectoral
relevance for innovation and key strengths, opportunities and challenges, is made
available to scientists, policy makers, designers, private companies and other key
stakeholders.

• Methods, techniques and applications based on research and knowledge that enable the
European design sector and design professionals to stay at the forefront of design for
sustainable competitiveness124 are developed and put into practice.

• Significant contributions are made to boost Europe as a global powerhouse of design for
sustainable competitiveness.

Scope: Innovation and competitiveness are driven to an ever-greater degree by cultural

dimensions and creativity. Successful new digital and physical products and services need to
be not only functional but also appealing and attractive, adapted to cultural traits and market
needs.

The process of creating or adapting products, services, processes or business models to human
needs and desires, commonly called design, is key not only for competitiveness but also for
environmental sustainability and cultural affirmation. It is widely acknowledged that the
environmental impact of a product is largely determined at the design stage. The same also
holds for digital products or services.

Building on Europe’s world-renowned cultural heritage, well-educated and talented

workforce, craftmanship and strong creative traditions, European design is in many ways
considered world leading. Large parts of the European economy rely on top-notch design for
competitiveness, such as for instance luxury and high-end goods, fashion or the automotive

123
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
124
Sustainable competitiveness builds on productivity growth, environmental sustainability,
macroeconomic stability and fairness. See for instance COM(2023) 168 final ‘Long-term
competitiveness of the EU: looking beyond 2030’

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industry. It is estimated that design-intensive industries employ around 27 million persons in

the EU, representing around 13% of total employment and more than 15% of GDP125.

Despite its outsize importance for future prosperity and societal and planetary wellbeing,
design and its role in driving innovation and competitiveness have not been sufficiently
researched. While being one of Europe’s key competitive strengths, the European design
sector and design professionals are structurally vulnerable and face a challenging pace of
drastic changes. For instance, ever more powerful ‘generative artificial intelligence’ tools
become capable of automating tasks previously requiring high levels of skills, while
challenging new expectations in terms of reducing the environmental impact of products and
services are added.

The challenge is to deepen evidence-based understanding of the European design sector and
design professionals, and devise effective methods to strengthen the sector and make Europe a
global powerhouse of design for sustainable competitiveness. Such methods may include new
or adapted technological solutions, conceptual frameworks as well as innovative business
models126 and policies. The proposed solutions should to the extent possible be effective as
well as economically and politically feasible and culturally acceptable across the diversity of
EU member states and associated countries, as well as across different economic sectors.
Thus, a wide range of stakeholders should be involved, in accordance with the focus chosen.

Proposals are not expected to address all aspects, subsectors or applications of design, but
should choose a focus that can be expected to deliver a significant impact.

Solutions may involve the use of platforms or networks to facilitate sharing investments,
facilities or competencies among actors. In such cases, established platforms, networks or
clusters should be taken into account, to avoid duplication of efforts.

Proposals should, to the extent appropriate, build on existing knowledge 127 , activities and
networks, notably the ones funded by the European Union. In particular, findings and results
from projects funded under the topics ‘Cultural and creative industries for a sustainable
climate transition’ of the 2023 and 2024 calls of Horizon Europe Cluster 2 may be taken into
consideration, and cooperation may be sought with the collaborative platform ‘EKIP’ 128 or its
successor.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-07: Cultural tourism for sustainable growth,

wellbeing and job creation

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

125
See for instance European Union Intellectual Property Office, Report ‘Women in Design’ (April 2023).
126
Such innovative business models may be based on ‘circular economy’ principles and design for
circularity.
127
For instance the work of the Open Method of Coordination (OMC) working group of Member States
experts on “Stimulating the green transition of cultural and creative sectors” might be relevant.
128
See further https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101112111

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Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 4.00 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 129.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Local and regional authorities have access to an interactive innovative user-friendly tool
that will offer research-based and comprehensive, adaptable strategies that foster the
potential of cultural tourism.

• Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs) and practitioners in the field are empowered with
an innovative user-friendly tool, to provide customized suggestions that facilitate job
creation in the cultural tourism sector.

• Cultural tourism development is enabled to foster well-being by providing inclusive

opportunities benefitting both visitors and the local population, while preventing
overtourism.

• Develop a long-term plan or a business model that ensures the sustainability and
scalability of the tool after the completion of the project.

Scope: Cultural Tourism accounts for nearly 40% of all tourism activities. Tourists, who
choose cultural tourism spend 38% more per day and stay 22% longer than other tourists,

129
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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while according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, the demand for cultural
tourism in Europe is set to grow, positioning it as a pivotal market.

The rapidly evolving cultural tourism sector faces significant challenges in relation to
sustainable growth, overtourism, environmental preservation, and community benefit/welfare.
In response to these challenges, there is a crucial need for developing strategic initiatives that
can harness and disseminate knowledge and existing solutions effectively to local and
regional authorities, CCIs involved in cultural tourism and other practitioners in the field.

To address this, proposals are sought to develop solutions and reuse or adapt already available
and successful tools that that will function as a central hub for knowledge sharing in the field
of cultural tourism. Such solutions should aim to provide tailor-made, evidence-based
recommendations, innovative business models, and strategic guidance. It is designed to
support cultural tourism initiatives at both local and regional levels and will be an essential
resource for policymakers, Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), and other practitioners in
the field.

Proposals are expected to develop a tool that will be able to transform data and information
into actionable strategies and suggested solutions. These recommendations/suggested
solutions will empower stakeholders to make informed decisions, thus enhancing the success
and sustainability of their cultural tourism initiatives. Primary goal of the strategies is to
encourage job creation and sustainable development at the local level, along with efforts to
mitigate the impact of climate change at tourist destinations. They address issues such as
overtourism by providing mitigation strategies and insights into managing seasonality and
developing sustainable tourism practices that balance visitor needs with environmental and
cultural preservation.

The successful proposal to achieve these objectives should leverage digital technologies that
will facilitate easy navigation, user interaction, and customization of content to meet specific
local and regional demands. This approach will consider specific local conditions and
evolving tourism trends.

Additionally, such a tool should integrate findings from various projects previously funded
under frameworks such as FP7, H2020, and Horizon Europe. This integration will ensure a
rich database of evidence-based practices and innovations relevant to cultural tourism.
Furthermore, synergies with existing tools that already serve as digital “repositories” of
solutions and case studies and are highly recommended for the success of this project.

Proposals should consider collaboration with a broad range of stakeholders, including cultural
institutions, tourism boards, academic researchers, and technology developers. Such
collaborations will ensure the tool’s relevance, utilisation by the professionals who are
concerned, sustainability, and impact in promoting successful and responsible cultural
tourism.

Lastly, the tool will be designed with scalability in mind, allowing for the incorporation of
new findings and adaptations based on user feedback and emerging trends in cultural tourism.

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This means that the proposal should develop a long-term plan/business model that will ensure
that the tool remains dynamic and responsive in the evolving landscape of cultural tourism.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-08: Innovative technologies and methods to

counteract illicit trafficking of cultural goods

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 4.00 and 5.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 15.00 million.

Type of Action Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 130.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Innovative solutions that allow seamless data sharing and facilitate the integration of
different tools to enable collaborative responses among professionals and law
enforcement agencies engaged in the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

• Implementation of existing EU-funded tools at the EU level.

• Improved policy-making against trafficking in cultural goods based on research

evidence.

• Better collaboration among researchers, professionals and law enforcement agencies

across Europe to effectively counter illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

Scope: The illicit trafficking of cultural goods is a challenge that undermines cultural heritage
and contributes to the loss of cultural identity. Addressing this issue requires a

130
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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multidisciplinary approach that enhances detection, documentation, and protection

mechanisms as well as awareness raising. The EU has funded research and innovation actions
in this sense, and a number of innovative tools that could enhance the work to prevent illicit
trafficking of cultural goods have been developed. However, the challenge of integrating such
tools into an efficient interoperable digital environment that can be taken up by professionals,
border- and law enforcement agencies and other key actors has not been sufficiently
addressed.

The objective of this topic is to remedy this research and innovation gap by developing and
pilot-testing a platform that allows seamless and secure sharing of key data between systems,
tools and organisations as needed for effectively increasing communication and cooperation
among professionals to counter illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

The platform should facilitate the integration of previously developed innovative tools in a
user-friendly manner.

The platform with integrated tools should be tested and validated under real life conditions by
its prospective users, involving the key stakeholders, such as national law enforcement
agencies, from at least three different Member States / Associated Countries. Proposals are
encouraged to also collaborate with Europol. The conclusions from this pilot testing should be
used to refine and improve the platform, with a view to make it user-friendly, secure and to
facilitate the uptake by its prospective users. The use cases and achieved results of pilot
testing should be documented and used to inform the wide prospective user community of the
benefits of the platform, with a view to motivate further uptake.

Actions should furthermore establish a sustainable network and governance that can support
the further development and maintenance of the platform beyond the Horizon Europe project
funding. The aim should be to develop and implement a coordinated, durable and
multidisciplinary approach that enhances the detection, documentation, and protection of
cultural goods while fostering public engagement and international collaboration to
effectively combat illicit trafficking.

Proposals under this topic are invited to build on previously developed tools, databases and
methodologies in the quest to establish a suite of validated solutions that significantly improve
the accuracy and reliability of identification, authentication, and documentation of cultural
items that are at risk of or have been trafficked or looted. This could include tools and
technics such as high-precision digital imaging and dating techniques, blockchain-based
tracking systems, and AI-driven analytics for provenance and authenticity verification.
Collaboration between new and existing projects to avoid duplication of efforts and maximize
resource utilization is strongly encouraged. In particular, tools and solutions developed by EU
funded projects, including under the call topics HORIZON-CL2-2023-HERITAGE-01-01 and
HORIZON-CL3-2021-FCT-01-08, should be considered to the extent appropriate.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data

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from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

Proposals should design innovative solutions that will be used at EU level, enabling seamless
data sharing of looted and trafficked cultural goods as well as stolen art and will allow
collaborative response among cultural heritage professionals and law enforcement agencies
across national and international borders. Solutions should allow real-time data sharing and
coordination, and should enable secure access to shared databases and collaborative
platforms.

They should be designed to support a multi-agency response involving a wide range of

professionals dedicated to preserving cultural heritage. The proposed solutions will aim to
create a unified operational framework that streamlines communication, enhances decision-
making processes, and accelerates the response to incidents of cultural trafficking. Testing
these solutions with partner institutions, and implementing a feedback mechanism to refine
the innovative solutions based on real-world use, is a requirement under this topic.

Proposals could consider the crucial role of public engagement in preserving cultural heritage
and combating the trafficking of cultural goods. To this end, proposals may test and develop
strategies and tools that significantly enhance public participation and awareness in
identifying and reporting illicit trafficking activities. This may include existing educational
programmes to inform the public about the impact of illicit trafficking and the importance of
preserving cultural heritage, as well as user-friendly mobile and web applications that enable
the public to report suspicious activities. Integrating public engagement initiatives with
professional and technical solutions may help create a robust, multifaceted approach to
effectively combat illicit trafficking.

The Commission encourages projects funded under this topic to coordinate and seek synergies
and/or complementarities with a view to a stronger impact.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-09: Cultural Strategies for Peace: culture and

creativity as catalysts for conflict prevention and post-conflict reconciliation

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 12.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions

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set-up of the Grant apply:

Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 131.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Organisations active in diplomacy, culture, research, and education gain insights into the
strategic importance of culture, including cultural heritage and the arts, in the
contemporary geopolitical context. They understand better how culture can be
manipulated, instrumentalised, and even destroyed, to fuel conflict, and how culture, the
arts, and tangible and intangible cultural heritage contribute to conflict prevention,
reconciliation, and sustainable peace.

• Public authorities, international organisations, NGOs, and society benefit from the
empirical knowledge base derived from extensive case study collection, analysis, and
evaluation, and from the identification of patterns and best practices, offering adaptable
models for integrating culture into sustainable peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and
post-conflict reconciliation.

• Policymakers receive evidence-based recommendations and guidelines for innovative,

sustainable peacebuilding strategies working with culture and aligned with EU principles
and values.

• Mechanisms fostering ongoing collaboration among researchers, practitioners, and

policymakers are established, to ensure sustained progress in culture for security, foreign
policy, and sustainable peace, and to support continuous advancement and integration of
knowledge beyond the projects’ conclusion.

Scope: Rapidly evolving geopolitical dynamics place the EU amid escalating conflicts and
emergent crises, requiring an innovative approach to security frameworks, foreign policy, and
peacebuilding strategies. R&I actions can develop groundbreaking solutions for the future,
fostering innovative approaches to security and foreign policy. Integrating culture, including
cultural heritage and the arts, into these frameworks could contribute to long term peace and
stability by preserving community identity and history, facilitating dialogue, reconstructive
learning, reconciliation, and social cohesion. International cultural relations need to adapt to
contemporary and future challenges by leveraging innovative strategic approaches to culture
to facilitate dialogue, promote mutual understanding, and address socio-cultural disparities

131
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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fuelling conflicts. The arts and culture offer unique avenues for expression, communication,
and trust, transcending socio-political barriers and fostering non-violent strategies for social
change.

Addressing the innovative role of culture in conflict prevention, resilience, and post conflict
reconciliation calls for an interdisciplinary approach involving, but not limited to,
international relations, sociology, anthropology, ethnography, cognitive psychology,
behavioural economics, peace and conflict studies, cultural studies, literary studies, gender
studies, and historical analysis.

Since 2016, the EU has established a policy framework for international cultural relations
heading towards a comprehensive strategy132 and initiating pilot projects, preparatory actions,
and flagship initiatives alongside numerous ground projects. The European External Action
Service Concept and the Council Conclusions on the EU approach to cultural heritage in
conflicts and crises (2021) emphasize integrating cultural heritage protection into broader
security and peacebuilding frameworks, while May 2024 marked the 70th anniversary of the
UNESCO Hague Convention for the protection of cultural property in the event of armed
conflict.

Proposals should map relevant actions and initiatives led by European institutions,
international organisations, individual States, and civil society organisations in Member States
and Associated Countries, including those from partnerships in international cultural relations.
Analysing these initiatives will build an empirical knowledge base, serving as models and
inspiration, and provide insights into different approaches under various circumstances,
enhancing understanding of what works best for specific purposes.

To pursue the expected outcomes, proposals might, by way of example:

• Identify successful approaches to integrating cultural heritage as a strategic asset into

foreign policy and security frameworks. Explore the potential of cultural heritage as
common ground for conflicting parties, contributing to social fabric reconstruction and
long-term stability in conflict-affected regions. Examine intangible cultural heritage and
traditional knowledge as sources for peacebuilding strategies, fostering people-to-people
connectivity, cooperation, and trust.

• Collect and analyse case studies of peacebuilding initiatives involving cultural and
creative expressions and the arts, including bottom-up practices.

• Analyse current policies to identify gaps and opportunities for integrating culture and
peacebuilding into development frameworks. Develop policy guidelines and frameworks
to help policymakers incorporate cultural strategies into peacekeeping and social
development agendas.

132
European Commission, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Joint
Communication to the European Parliament and the Council “Towards an EU strategy for international
cultural relations”, Brussels, 8.6.2016 JOIN (2016) 29 final; Council conclusions on an EU strategic
approach to international cultural relations and a framework for action (2019/C 192/04).

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• Explore digital technologies for enhancing cultural exchange and dialogue in

peacebuilding. Explore the imaginaries, narratives, and metaphors currently prevalent in
the AI sector, and consider how the development of AI systems could be enhanced to
better support cultural diversity, intercultural understanding, and ‘digital humanism’ to
promote peace, safety, and fairness.

• Develop metrics for evaluating the impact of cultural initiatives on peacebuilding and
conflict resolution. Conduct empirical studies to measure long-term benefits of these
programmes on economic stability, social cohesion, and well-being in conflict-affected
areas.

• Investigate how culture can be manipulated, instrumentalised and exploited to provoke

conflict, including the tactical use of cultural identity and cultural appropriation to incite
tensions. Investigate how cultural heritage of troubled pasts can be approached,
providing new insights on how co-existence narratives of the past can contribute to
reconciliation, reconstructive learning, and mutual understanding. In this respect,
complementarities with topic HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-10 might be
sought.

• Collect and analyse good practices related to leveraging cultural heritage, culture, and
creativity to address societal challenges such as fragmentation, polarisation, migration,
the refugee crisis, and regional and local tensions.

• Investigate how intersectional factors such as gender, age, citizenship, and

socioeconomic status affect participation in and outcomes of cultural peacebuilding
initiatives. Assess the differential impacts on various demographic groups and develop
strategies for inclusivity. Evaluate the role of cultural institutions and practices in
restorative and transformative justice.

• Conduct longitudinal studies to assess long-term effects of cultural interventions on

community resilience, social cohesion, and economic recovery in post-conflict regions.
Identify key determinants of sustainability of cultural peacebuilding efforts and
consolidate understanding of how to sustain peace once achieved.

• Investigate the link between culture, cultural heritage, and sustainable economy,
examining their effects on sustainable peace. Conflicts damage local economies, leading
to exploitation of natural and cultural heritage for sustenance. These activities, often
illegal, may generate quick profits but undermine long-term economic stability.

• Establish sustainable collaboration mechanisms to ensure continuous engagement among

key stakeholders, researchers, practitioners, and policymakers, including in diplomacy,
promoting robust and long-lasting exchange and cooperation.

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International cooperation, as well as synergies with the Jean Monnet project HER-UKR:
Challenges and opportunities for EU heritage diplomacy in Ukraine133 are encouraged.

The Commission encourages projects funded under this topic to seek complementarities for
stronger impact. Proposals should, to the extent appropriate, build on existing knowledge,
activities, and networks, notably the ones funded by the European Union, in particular under
the Horizon Europe framework programme134.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-HERITAGE-10: Bridging historical past and future potential

through conservation, preservation, and adaptive use of Europe’s contentious and
dissonant heritage

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 2.50 and 3.50 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.50 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third
countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support
action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the

133
https://www.kuleuven.be/her-ukr.
134
Where applicable, proposals could leverage the data and services available through the research
infrastructures included in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) and the
ESFRI roadmap and those federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data from
relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context
of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

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Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy

Community (2021-2025). 135.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Dialogues between academics, local authorities and communities are strengthened by a

Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda identifying trends, drivers, gaps and
opportunities and highlight the added value for further research in this area.

• Academic researchers and practitioners collaborate to apply tangible research findings in

real-world contexts, addressing challenges posed by contested heritage, threatened by
neglect, deterioration or abandonment.

• Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs)136 and local authorities have access to innovative
solutions to revitalise and reconsider contested cultural heritage to ensure its
preservation, conservation, and adaptability for use while engaging future generations in
tackling complex historical challenges.

• Policy makers and public authorities are equipped with actionable recommendations to
tackle the lack of awareness on contested heritage, with a focus on education and
sustainable cultural tourism as key areas for action.

Scope: Europe's rich heritage includes numerous objects, documents in libraries, museums,
and archives, but also sites and cultural landscapes that recall complex and often troubled
pasts. These heritage assets, often contested and frequently neglected or at risk of
deterioration or abandonment, pose significant challenges for preservation, conservation,
interpretation, and engagement. Gaining a better understanding of the dissonance and
contestation surrounding cultural heritage assets is crucial not only for safeguarding memory
and heritage but also for fostering historical understanding, cultural dialogue, and
reconciliation on persisting dissonances.

Proposals should explore the multiple perspectives on troubled pasts and their impact on
cultural heritage, with a focus on heritage assets connected to colonial, totalitarian and
authoritarian regimes which may be linked biased or discriminatory beliefs. By engaging with
such complex and often painful legacies, proposals should contribute to a broader reflection
on participatory approaches in cultural heritage governance. Proposals are also encouraged to
adopt a gendered and intersectional approach to advance gender equality and build more
inclusive societies.

135
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf
136
CCIs as defined in the European Parliament Resolution ‘A coherent EU policy for cultural and creative
industries’: https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-
content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52016IP0486&from=EN

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Proposals should establish a collaborative network of professionals. The proposed consortium

should be multidisciplinary, counting possibly on anthropologist, historians, heritage
researchers, media and intercultural communication scholars and professionals from the fields
of heritage conservation, exhibitions curation and educational programming. Professionals
with thematic expertise in the field(s) of memory studies, war and conflict, decolonisation,
post-totalitarian regimes, and/or intersectionality could bring an added value. The integration
of cultural and creative industries and local authorities could contribute to ensure the real-
world applications of this research network.

This collaborative network should develop a comprehensive Strategic Research and

Innovation Agenda for the preservation, conservation, transmission, and adaptive reuse of
contested and dissonant heritage across Europe. This agenda should identify trends, clear
drivers, gaps and opportunities to highlight the added value of complementary research
activities or initiatives in this field. The proposed consortium should have an active role in
promoting critical dialogues on remaining controversies and their lasting impacts on
contemporary societies.

Proposals should provide policy recommendations for the documentation, revitalisation (such
as better understanding preservation, restoration, transmission, and transformation) and
adaptive reuse of dissonant and contested heritage assets to preserve historical and cultural
values. Its guidelines should support public administrations, particularly local authorities, and
the Cultural and Creative Industries in managing contested heritage and engaging with local
community.

Proposals should shape recommendations to leverage contested objects, documents, sites and
cultural landscapes for educational and cultural tourism purposes, ensuring historical
understanding, cultural dialogue, and reconciliation. To address the challenges posed by these
heritage assets, proposals should integrate innovative approaches that prioritize sustainability
and preservation for future generations.

Proposals could aim to develop educational programmes to target various audiences,

including young people, local communities, and international tourists to ensure the
engagement of future generations in tackling complex historical challenges. Pilot programmes
could be implemented in at least two countries to assess the effectiveness of these tools and
recommendations. Public bodies with an interest in supporting the long-term sustainable use
of these educational tools could be involved in these efforts.

Recommendations for the integration of contested and dissonant heritage assets into
sustainable tourism practices that respect their sensitive nature and contribute to the
sustainable development of local communities, is another aspect that should be considered in
the strategic agenda. Utilizing existing digital tools and platforms to promote virtual tours,
augmented reality experiences, and interactive educational content, making these heritage
assets accessible to a broader audience and enhancing visitor experience could be considered
as an added value.

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While shaping the above-mentioned Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, the
consortium could use results from existing evidence-based research, including insights from
EU-funded projects. For that purpose, proposals are encouraged to network with and build on
previously funded projects under Horizon Europe, in particular HORIZON-CL2-2023-
HERITAGE-01-04 Cultural heritage in transformation – facing change with confidence calls,
HORIZON-CL2-2024-HERITAGE-01-04 Europe’s cultural heritage and arts – promoting our
values at home and abroad, Horizon 2020 or other EU programmes, e.g. Global Europe137 as
appropriate. Applicants are also encouraged to consider the services offered by the European
Research Infrastructure for Heritage Science138.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

International cooperation is encouraged.

137
https://ec.europa.eu/international-partnerships/global-europe-programming_en
138
https://www.e-rihs.eu/

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Destination Innovative Research on Social and Economic Transformations

Draft expected impacts:

Projects funded under this destination should contribute to the following expected impacts in
the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2025-2027139:

• Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability

• Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively

The expected impacts reflect the two-pronged nature of the destination. On the one hand,
research funded by this destination will improve the understanding of how the macro drivers
of change (technological change, climate change, new global trade patterns, along with
migration, human mobility, and other demographic changes) impact society and inform policy
makers on how to mitigate negative consequences and harness newly created opportunities.
The results obtained should improve the understanding of the interplay between different
drivers of change and their social, ethical, political, and economic implications. The improved
understanding of these challenges and their economic, social, and distributional impacts will
fill in the research gaps while also inform the design and assessment of policies addressing
existing and emerging challenges, including in the areas of education, well-being and mental
health.

On the other hand, research and innovation investment should be geared towards deepening
the understanding of how ongoing changes impact society, with a specific emphasis on the
key objectives of boosting inclusive and sustainable growth and effectively reducing
vulnerabilities, poverty and inequalities. This knowledge should provide valuable insights to
policymakers to design and assess policies that effectively address vulnerabilities while
capitalizing on emerging opportunities.

Overall, the destination’s activities will help promote the EU’s inclusive growth, resilience,
and fair transition towards climate neutrality, by

providing solid analytical evidence to implementing actions related to:

• The European Pillar of Social Rights, and its Action Plan with its three ambitious targets
(78% employment rate, 60% of population with yearly training, and reduction of the
number of people at risk of poverty and social exclusion by at least 15 million by 2030)

• the European Education Area and its EU-level 2030 targets

• The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including:

 the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030, the European
Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card.

139
https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/6abcc8e7-e685-11ee-8b2b-
01aa75ed71a1/language-en

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 The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence
against women and domestic violence

• The Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action

• The EU’s just transition policy framework, in line with the 2040 Climate Target Plan,
including the Just Transition Mechanism, the Social Climate Fund, and the Council
Recommendation on ensuring a fair transition towards climate neutrality.

• The Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU.

• The European Child Guarantee

• The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income

• EC Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health

• The New Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and
legislation.

Applicants are encouraged to consider, where relevant, the services offered by the current and
future EU-funded European Research Infrastructures, particularly those in the social sciences
and humanities domain140.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this research is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

To maximise the impacts of R&I under this Destination in line with EU priorities,
international cooperation is encouraged whenever relevant in the proposed topics.

Research on socio and economic transformations funded by topics in the Work Programmes
2025-27 will build upon its predecessors in Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe and further
push the boundaries of state-of-the-art knowledge. It will do so by further engaging with a
vast array of stakeholders. Not only universities and research centers, but also social partners
(trade unions and business organizations), civil society organizations, practitioners, VET
providers, and SMEs.

The destination will rely on a carefully balanced mix of actions, to bring together the right
mix of actors to achieve the highest quality research, while aiming at providing
recommendations to policymakers at European, national, regional and local level that could
have a beneficial societal and economic impact. In order to do this, it will maximise the
feedback to policy and the dissemination and exploitation of research and innovation results
and practices in the domain of social and economic transformations.

140
https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/
for example CESSDA - Consortium of European Social Science Data Archives

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Proposals are invited against the following topic(s):

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-01: Tackling gender-based violence in different

social and economic spheres

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 141.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Collect data and analyse the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence (GBV),
including tech-facilitated GBV, in different socio-economic contexts and legislative
frameworks, and provide policymakers at regional, national and EU level with
recommendations to address it.

• Support employers, practitioners, and civil society organisations in their work on the
prevention, protection, prosecution, and provision of services in addressing GBV,
including through promoting best practice sharing, mutual learning and education
material focused on consent.

Scope: Gender-based violence (GBV) is a prevalent issue, with 1 in 3 women in the EU

having experienced physical and/or sexual violence, 22% of women in the EU having

141
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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experienced violence by an intimate partner, and 55% having been sexually harassed. 142 GBV
has destructive consequences for individuals, organisations, the economy, and society as a
whole. Gender-based violence is violence directed against a person because of that person's
gender or violence that affects persons of a particular gender disproportionately. It can be
sexual, physical, verbal, psychological, or economic and occur in different forms, including
threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty. However, important
knowledge gaps remain on the prevalence and impact of gender-based violence across
different social and economic areas. For example, in certain sectors, occupations and work
arrangements, like night work, healthcare, hospitality, social services, emergency services,
transport and education, workers are more exposed to violence and harassment, although
comparable, intersectional data is often still lacking in these fields. 143 While the restrictions
imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in domestic violence, still little is
known about the impact of the associated rise in teleworking on women’s working conditions,
including the safety of their working environment. Moreover, in sports, initial studies on
sexual GBV showed that a significant percentage of female athletes in Europe are exposed to
sexual harassment144, but no comprehensive pan-European data is available on this.

Another research field, which requires further attention is the impact of tech-facilitated GBV,
including non-consensual sharing of sexually explicit images, manipulated intimate images
(e.g., deepfakes and other forms of generative AI), or child sexual abuse online, as well as the
potential positive and negative use and effects of AI on GBV.

Therefore, proposals should look at gender-based violence in one or more of the following
areas: 1) GBV in the world of work, 2) GBV in sports 3) GBV on online platforms.

Across these areas, proposals should take into account online and offline forms of gender-
based violence, and consider at intersecting factors, such as age, socio-economic and migrant
background, disability, ethnicity, religion, as well as gender identity and sexual orientation.
Proposals should also address the role of bystanders and superiors in addressing gender-based
violence and assess the availability and effectiveness of victim support. For data collection,
proposals should make use of surveys, as well as administrative data, where available, to
assess how public services respond to the needs of GBV survivors and can foster a safe
environment. Where appropriate, proposals should seek the involvement of law enforcement,
together with academia/research to optimise input and uptake. In proposals addressing the
world of work, the involvement of social partners is encouraged.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data

142
European Union Fundamental Rights Agency, Violence against women: an EU-wide survey. Results at
a glance, 2014.
143
Violence and harassment in the world of work: A guide on Convention No. 190 and Recommendation
No. 206 International Labour Office – Geneva: ILO, 2021.
144
See Recommendations and Action Plan from the High-level group on gender equality in sport: Towards
more gender equality in sport. https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/684ab3af-9f57-
11ec-83e1-01aa75ed71a1/language-en

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from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

The outcomes of this research will be particularly important in view of recent policy
developments, including the EU’s accession to the Istanbul Convention, the EU Directive on
Combatting Violence against Women and Domestic Violence, as wells the ILO Convention
no.190 on eliminating violence and harassment in the World of Work.

Synergies with projects under the DAPHNE strand of the Citizens, Equality, Rights and
Values (CERV) programme are encouraged, as well as complementarities with the projects
funded under HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-08: Understanding and addressing
gender-based violence against politically active women. International cooperation is
encouraged, in line with the Gender Equality Strategy for External Action (GAPIII).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-02: Historical and regional analyses of industrial

transitions and their lessons for ensuring a fair green transition

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 145.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Provide policymakers with an analysis of past and present industrial transformations and
what successful policies and measures were used to combat their negative externalities.

145
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Improve the understanding on the mechanisms of regional responses (e.g. geographic

mobility of labour) and provide policymakers with a set of recommendations for seizing
the opportunities and smoothing the risks of the developments. Analyse and evaluate
forms of collaborative and participatory approaches to the management and governance
of transition processes, including through social dialogue and collective bargaining.

Scope: The geographic variation in the impact of the European Green Deal is crucially
important. Even though the green transition will have a positive impact and will improve our
societies in many respects, regions with sizable employment in coal mining or traditional
vehicle manufacturing will be disproportionately impacted. The resulting labour market
imbalances can be addressed by people's movements within and between countries and
training and skilling policies adapted to regional contexts.

The current economic system favours urbanisation, with jobs and skilled labour now
concentrated in large urban areas. However, many jobs needed for the transition towards
carbon neutrality are not in the most urbanised regions. Further still, green jobs will not
automatically be created in regions with declining industries (such as coal mining, traditional
vehicle manufacturing, or maritime transportation ports).

One important field of research should be on mechanisms of geographic mobility of labour

(of EU citizens and third country nationals), incorporating a gender perspective to understand
how mobility patterns differ and influence workforce dynamics. This is particularly pertinent
given the documented impact of gender occupational segregation on labour market outcomes.

Another important research avenue is firm adaptation. Much of the current research is focused
on the closing of factories and the subsequent reallocation of labour. However, the great
challenge of the green transition is how to prevent existing businesses from closing and to
upgrade them in a cricular, cost- and resource-efficient manner, and make them more
competitive. There is, therefore, a need to study cases of successful transitions that may not
involve closing of factories and the policies and practices that enabled them.

Past transitions can provide insight into how to handle economic readjustment in regions
strongly impacted by the green transformations. Past transitions have forced regions and
communities to diversify their economic models. In this regard, they bear many similarities to
the green transition.

To ensure Europe will benefit from current transitions, proposals should employ a whole
ecosystem approach and draw from a rich variety of disciplines including history, sociology,
economics, and geography. Proposals may focus on policies which favoured local job
creation, upskilling, labour mobility, and business model diversification. Proposals may also
focus on the experiences of workers to provide adaptation lessons for the current transitions.
Another research perspective could be the role social conflicts and compromises linked with
social partners and how these have shaped past transitions. Lastly, proposals may take into
account other key megatrends such as labour-saving technological innovation or demographic
changes and evaluate how those change in the context of past and current industrial
transformations, and how these impact different groups disproportionately.

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Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-03: Working time reduction: barriers, challenges,

benefits and policy implications

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 146.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to at least three out of the four expected
outcomes:

• Deepen the understanding available to policy makers, employers, trade unions and other
stakeholders regarding the impacts and implementation of the working time reduction,
including its implications on social, economic or environmental outcomes in the society.

• Provide policymakers with recommendations on the feasibility of implementing working

time reduction across all types of economic activity and occupations while promoting
positive macroeconomic outcomes;

146
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Provide relevant stakeholders (e.g. social partners, SMEs, large companies and public
authorities) with recommendations and data on the enablers and barriers to successful
implementation of working time reduction, including at employer and employee level.

• Improved understanding of the potential of working time reduction to increase

employment and inclusion in the labour market by activating underrepresented groups,
including women, the elderly, workers with disabilities and others.

Scope: Reduction of the working time, understood as a coordinated reduction in weekly

working hours concentrated into an extra free day per week without a corresponding decrease
in pay, has existed in the economic debate for more than a century, yet much of its potential
impact on economic, social, and environmental aspects remains unexplored.

Recently, various initiatives at national, company, and sectoral levels have been launched to
test the employment and societal outcomes of these reduced working arrangements. Past
experiences generally show some positive evidence on workers’ well-being and wages, with
marginal impacts on employment levels, but mixed outcomes regarding productivity. Yet,
understanding the feasibility of working time reduction across different sectors and
occupations is key to assessing its impacts on inequality, societal fairness, and overall
economic growth. Moreover, the gender perspective and impacts on workforce inclusion in
the working time reduction context is an area that is yet to be thoroughly understood. There is
a wide range of environmental outcomes from working time reduction to be also considered,
including energy costs and savings, energy poverty, and consumption patterns.

More insights are needed to understand the full battery of enablers, barriers, benefits,
challenges, and policy implications arising from implementation of working time reduction,
including at organisational level, across a diverse variety of sectors.

While feeding into the expected outcomes, the research project should assess the impacts of
working time reduction along at least two out of the three axes: economic, social, and
environmental.

These may include but are not limited to the following channels:

• Social impacts on workers, including well-being at the workplace, health outcomes

(including stress levels), work-life balance, gendered employment outcomes, labour
market inclusion;

• Economic impacts, including effects on productivity, employment, economic growth,

hiring and staff retention, absenteeism, firm costs, overall economic demand, innovation;

• Environmental impacts, including on energy expenditures and savings, energy poverty,

emission reduction, consumption patterns, sustainable lifestyles.

Applicants are encouraged to employ a variety of research methods, including quantitative

micro-economic analysis or behavioural and other experimental research methods.

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Proposers may consider the data offered by European Research Infrastructures in the social
sciences domain147.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-04: Gender differences in career trajectories of

parents and their implications for gender equality and family well-being

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 148.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers, social partners, and other relevant stakeholders have better understanding
of gender differences in career trajectories of parents and their consequences for gender
inequalities in the labour market and within households.

• Policymakers, social partners, and other relevant stakeholders have better understanding
of links between parental career- and childcare-related decisions, family well-being, and
different policy/institutional settings.

147
ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/ri-portfolio/table/
148
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Providing policymakers with effective policy options that help reduce gender gaps in
labour market outcomes of parents and support family well-being.

Scope: Gender differences in career trajectories of parents account for large shares of gender
employment and pay gaps. This is often referred to as child/motherhood penalties for women
(as opposed to child/fatherhood premium for men).

The research proposals should identify key gender differences in careers of parents and assess
how they affect at least some of the current gender gaps in socio-economic outcomes such as
employment, choice of occupation, pay, career opportunities, working conditions, (mental)
health, or poverty risks. The research should take an intersectional perspective, considering
that career trajectories of women and men also depend on other individual and household
characteristics, such as household composition (e.g. single parents), socio-economic status,
gender identity (e.g. LGBTQI+ parents), migrant background or race/ethnicity.

The proposals should assess key positive and negative consequences of different career
trajectories of parents for families, taking into consideration the diversity of family
arrangements, age and number of children (with emphasis on pre-school ages), quality and
stability of family relationships, the availability of economic and social resources, and family
well-being.

The proposals should analyse key drivers of parental career and household-related decisions,
paying particular attention to the division of unpaid childcare within households, social and
cultural norms and stereotypes, work cultures in different economic sectors and occupations,
and institutional and policy settings (e.g. childcare, maternity/paternity/parental leaves and
other work-life balance policies such as flexible working arrangements or telework).

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

The proposals should:

• Explore use of longitudinal data from administrative or survey sources on parental

careers and/or children’s well-being;

• Explore both individual and structural drivers of gender differences in career trajectories
of parents through quantitative models;

• Provide in-depth insight into careers of mothers and fathers, and their implications for
family well-being, through qualitative research and case studies.

Within the broad scope of research described above, the proposals are encouraged to pay
particular attention to:

• Exploreing how specific features of early childhood education and care systems (e.g.
quality, availability or affordability) affect childcare participation and family wellbeing;

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• Exploring how child/parent friendly workplaces and organisational cultures affect

parental careers and family well-being;

• Quantifying economic costs of child/motherhood penalties;

• Reflecting on how child/motherhood penalties affect women from migrant backgrounds,

for example in the context of migration flows following the Russia’s war of aggression
on Ukraine;

• Investigating the impact of heteronormative norms, discrimination, and support systems

on LGBTIQ+ parents’ career trajectories and family well-being.

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-05: Improving fairness in the economy through a

better understanding of undeclared and underdeclared work

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 149.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Policymakers and social partners have insights into the scope and/or characteristics of
un(der)declared work or actors involved in un(der)declared work.

• Policymakers receive actionable advice on policy measures effective in reducing the

prevalence of un(der)declared work and/or its adverse social consequences.
149
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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Scope: Un(der)declared work, as well as the evasion of compulsory payments linked to

workers’ remuneration (e.g. bogus self-employment to avoid payment to social security
schemes) hinder fair social market economy and reduce the sustainability of social protection
system.

The proliferation of disruptive technologies, the increased presence of third-country nationals

in the Member States, as well as rapidly rising living costs are leading to higher volatility on
the labour market, including an accelerated rate of change in the characteristics of labour
demand and supply, and new forms of employment such as e.g. project work in the gig-
economy. These circumstances are conducive to growing inequality on the labour market and
a spread of unfair practices, including un(der)declared work and the evasion of compulsory
payments.

The research activities are expected to have a strong multidisciplinary aspect. Proposals
should contribute to advancing research on the scope, volume and/or characteristics of
un(der)declared work in the economy and/or the evasion of compulsory payments linked to
workers’ remuneration. Subsequent research activities should contribute to our understanding
of the causes and main structural drivers behind actors’ willingness to engage in
un(der)declared work and/or the related evasion of compulsory payments. Moreover, the
research project should contribute to the evidence-based assessment of policies seeking to
tackle un(der)declared work and/or the evasion of compulsory payments.

The geographical focus of the research activities should comprise a group of economies with
a heterogeneous prevalence of un(der)declared work. The proposals are encouraged to
consider the impact of disruptive technologies (e. g. digital platforms, cloud computing,
generative artificial intelligence) on the proliferation and/or changing features of
un(der)declared work.

The proposal may:

• focus on methods seeking to address social desirability bias in public surveys

• focus on experiments and/or counterfactual analysis to advance the measurement of the

impact of policy interventions

• focus on mechanisms of efficient cooperation among national authorities responsible for

tackling un(der)declared work

• explore opportunities for the use of machine learning in tackling un(der)declared work

• explore un(der)declared work in the platform economy and/or in new professions created
in response to rapid technological change

• focus on un(der)declared work among mobile workers

• insights from behavioural research into drivers behind un(der)declared work and/or the
evasion of compulsory payments.

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• explore the potential for social-demographic or other typologies of undeclared work

• aim at a establishing a more systematic link between un(der)declared work and taxation
system or social security system.

• examine gender variations in the nature of un(der)declared work (e.g., occupational

segregation, motives, working time patterns).

Clustering and cooperation with other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-06: Evaluation and use of evidence in education

policy and practice

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 150.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• New analysis and evaluation of education policy measures.

150
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Support use of research evidence by education and training policy makers and
practitioners.

• Enhanced culture of research and evaluation in education policymaking and among

practitioners. Better understanding of the types of expertise and institutional settings that
are more effective at informing education policies and practices with evidence.

Scope: The European Education Area151 aims to improve access to quality education for all.
The strategic framework for the European Education Area set the EU-level target: “The share
of low-achieving 15-year-olds in reading, mathematics and science should be less than 15%,
by 2030” (Council of the European Union 2021). The latest data (2022) suggest that the
European Union average is much higher 152 than 15% and that pupils from low socio-
economic status face a considerably higher risk of low achievement than their peers from high
socio-economic background. Student performance varies widely, with differences at the
student, school and education system levels. Improving educational quality and closing gaps
in learning outcomes are important societal issues, and a major challenge for education
systems across the European Union. There is a research gap in the empirical evaluation of
education policies and practices and the understanding of the circumstances under which they
are most beneficial. There is also a gap in the translation of scientific evidence into practices
in educational institutions.

The action must enhance interdisciplinary collaborations among researchers in education and
engage diverse educational research disciplines from social sciences, the arts and humanities.
The action must include the perspectives of policy makers and practitioners who look at
similar topics from different angles. The action should analyse policies in at least one level of
education, with a particular focus on transitions from the previous level of education and to
the next. Proposals may choose to analyse and evaluate general measures for all learners or
targeted and individualised support in inclusive settings. Involvement of authorities
responsible for the education and training policies is essential and should be ensured. The
action should enhance collaborations to improve the access of researchers to administrative
data and other types of data, including surveys of children and young people, to develop new
research approaches and perspectives. Therefore, close cooperation with authorities and/or
other institutions owning the data is essential and should be ensured.

The action should analyse and evaluate policy measures in their context, using a mixed
methods approach including qualitative and quantitative methods. Proposals can include an
experimental design, using e.g. small, randomized control trials to test the effectiveness of
specific interventions in different contexts.

Complementarities with the projects funded under the topics HORIZON-CL2-2023-

TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05, HORIZON-CL2-2023-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-06;

151
https://education.ec.europa.eu/
152
Data from the Programme of International Student Assessment (PISA) are used to measure progress
towards the EU-level target and the latest data (2022) put the EU average at 26.2% for reading, 29.5%
for mathematics and 24.2% for science.

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HORIZON-CL2-2024-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-10 and Topic HORIZON-CL5-2023-D1-

01-10 are encouraged.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-07: Impact of the learning environment and the

use of digital tools in everyday life on key skills and competence development

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 153.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Provide analyses of the impact of digital tools in everyday life on wellbeing and how
children learn.

• Provide analyses and evidence-based recommendations on how to provide opportunities

for high quality education that uses digital technologies in ways that support the
wellbeing of the school community (students, teachers and school leaders).

153
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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Scope: Digital devices and tools are an integral part in the lives of children and teenagers as
they grow. There is discussion about the impact of the use of digital tools in everyday life on
children’s wellbeing (cognitive, emotional, social) and development, but the evidence is often
piecemeal154 Proposals should investigate the impact that the expansion and normalisation of
children’s use of digital technologies (including generative AI) in everyday life has on their
learning, at a time in their lives when literacy and numeracy skills are developing, and during
adolescence.

Proposals may select different target groups to investigate how intersecting factors influence
children’s experiences with digital tools, paying a particular attention to age, gender, and
socio-economic status. In this context, proposals should investigate how the school learning
environment can support learning and identify effective interventions to support children’s
social emotional and academic needs. Proposals should focus on primary and secondary
general compulsory education.

While educational institutions cannot act in isolation, students spend thousands of hours
within buildings, and the same holds for teachers and school leaders. Sustainable
Development Goal (4.a.) emphasises the importance of physical learning environment in
education facilities. Proposals could investigate the impact of learning environments on
education outcomes and how its design responds to changes in teaching and learning.

Proposals should propose methods that address the complex nature of the topic under study,
the existing data and the rapid changes in the technological landscape. Proposals are
encouraged to use mixed methods approaches, and deepen inter- and transdisciplinary
research in education, involving multiple perspectives, with the aim to improve learning and
educational settings. Proposals can choose on which aspect of student well-being (cognitive,
emotional, social) and skill development they focus. Proposals should include the voice of
children and young people and other relevant stakeholders as part of the data collection.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-08: Impacts of culture and the arts on health and

well-being

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

154
For example, mobile phones or smartphones could have a potentially unprecedented impact on
children’s development, as the frequency of engagement is likely to be high. Possible impacts include
for example cognitive overload, increased distraction, altering memory and learning patterns, impact on
sleep duration and sleep quality, on wellbeing among adolescent girls and boys, on wider social
activities, such as sport or cultural activities, or on leisure. There are also concerns that excessive screen
time can impact children’s social and emotional development, leading to debates about the quality of
their interactions. Recent findings from the PISA survey highlight a negative correlation between
leisurely digital device use at school and academic performance.

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Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 2.00 and 3.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.00 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third
countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support
action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 155.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Policy makers at European, national, regional and local level from the health, culture,
social care, relief/ humanitarian, youth and education sectors are aware of the impacts of
arts and culture on health, well-being and social cohesion and are equipped with policy
recommendations and with practical guides on to implement cross-sectorial policies and
programmes in this field;

• Stakeholders from the health, culture, social care, relief/ humanitarian, youth and
education sectors are aware impacts of arts and culture on health, well-being and social
cohesion and are equipped with tools to implement cross-sectorial projects in this field;

155
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Research gaps in this field are documented and explained, and further the R&I
implementation science by presenting new scalable and replicable best practices;

• Policy-makers working in international relations/ cooperation are provided with

recommendations for promoting EU priorities, culture and fundamental values abroad
through the angle of cooperation in the areas of culture, health and well-being.

Scope: An Open Method of Coordination expert group is working on culture and health in
2024, building on the preparatory action “Bottom-up Policy Development for Culture & Well-
being in the EU156” (2022-23)

There has been a major increase of research into the effects of culture and the arts on health
and well-being157, alongside developments in practice and policy activities in different EU
countries. A recent example is the covid-19 pandemic, which challenged individual and
collective wellbeing in an unprecedented manner. Its consequences – particularly in terms of
mental health – have been felt long after the conclusion of the crisis in medical and public
health terms. The covid-19 pandemic has showed that culture may play a profound and
fundamental role in our lives. Moreover, the war of aggression against Ukraine has recalled
the importance of culture and arts for the mental health of forcibly displaced people.

The Commission Communication “A comprehensive approach to mental health” recognized

the contribution of culture to mental health and well-being of individuals and society, for
example through culture-based social prescribing and the fight against stigma. The EU Work
Plan for Culture 2023-2026 recognises that “cultural activities have a positive impact on
people of all ages and backgrounds, enhance people’s quality of life and increase the health
and overall well-being of individuals and communities. There is also a significant economic
impact.”

The objective of this topic is to reinforce and mainstream the foster cross-sectorial
cooperation among cultural, health, social, youth, education and humanitarian/ relief sectors
as well as researchers and academia of Member State and Associated countries. The proposals
should include cultural and creative sectors at large and consider both the active and the
receptive nature of cultural participation; a special attention should be given to analyse
situations in which art and culture are disruptive for mental health or are polarizing, thus
having an adverse impact.

They should :

1. Create a dedicated platform to enable policy discussions and exchange of knowledge on

culture and well-being , as well as further increasing the connection between arts,
culture, health, well-being and inclusion of all individuals into the society, particularly
among the health and social care sectors.

156
Cultureforhealth.eu
157
The societal value of the arts and culture - Publications Office of the EU (europa.eu)

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2. Provide policy guidelines for implementation and evaluate mixed methods, arts and
culture- based interventions that address one or more of the following areas (at least one
intervention per area):

1. health promotion;

2. mental health and well-being (with a focus on children and young people, but also
including other population segments, such as working people suffering from burn-
out);

3. the ageing population;

4. health and well-being of forcibly displaced people; and

5. links between ill-health and patterns of inequality.

3. Create an evidence gap map of arts and health research and innovation within health
promotion, illness prevention, trauma recovery, disease management, and/or disease
treatment.

The proposals should collect new practices and policies, evaluate various types of art and
culture interventions, in order to better understand their clinical effectiveness and their cost
effectiveness. The proposals should develop convincing narratives from the point of view of
arts and health economics, health policies and more widely, well-being economics. Well-
being is considered here both from an individual and from a societal and community
perspective, therefore social cohesion and inclusion should be considered a priority.
Moreover, the proposals should allow to map existing research and innovation gaps, identify
potential existing barriers and propose a mixed model for cooperation that will take into
account participation at the local, national and regional level and the coordination of different
sectors and stakeholders.

The proposals should include arts and culture organisations with experience in the area of
cross-sectorial collaboration with the other sectors mentioned above.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-09: Improving mental health outcomes for people

in education, training and work

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 5.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed

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project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and

selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 15.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 158.

Expected Outcome:

Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Deliver scalable and replicable integrated person-centred interventions on mental health

included blended ones, in a manner that they are transferable to the new contexts in
education, training and work, and studying and comparing their impacts;

• Deliver integrated person-centred interventions to all segments of population and age

groups, with a particular focus for the youth with mental health conditions to improve
their education, training and work trajectories, in order to ensure all these people’s
inclusion into society;

• Provide relevant authorities, policy makers, key stakeholders and practitioners with
viable tools to make evidence-based informed decisions for implementation to benefit
mental health outcomes in education, training and work. This includes effectiveness
studies as well as the delivery of data, including health economics data of the developed
intervention(s) to further advance this policy area; and

• Provide quality evidence-based data to policy makers and research and innovation
stakeholders to bridge the gap between mental health outcomes and related socio-
economic transition.

Scope: In Europe, 84 million citizens ranging from the youth to ageing population of all
socio-economic backgrounds of all genders, including vulnerable groups are suffering from
various mental health issues in their everyday lives at home, at work, at school as well as in
the virtual cyber-world. The mental health issues affect people in different ways and/or

158
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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period(s) of their life course as well as the people who live, work and/or study in vicinity of
these persons with mental health issues, and/or people who belong to their family, friends
and/or social circuits.

The foundation of mental health is mostly laid in adolescence: half of all mental health
conditions start by 14 years of age and most cases go undetected and untreated. The
staggering figures show that the second leading cause for death of young people of 15-19
years is suicide after the road accidents.

Addressing and treating mental health conditions is therefore essential to improve the
downstream impacts on education, training and work and future socio-economic outcomes. It
also represents a long-term investment in public health.

Over the past years, many innovative solutions (supported EU Framework Programmes for
research and Innovation and/or international, national, regional, and local initiatives) for
tackling mental health problems have been developed. However, few interventions have been
implemented at scale. There lacks evidence about the feasibility, acceptability and suitability
of these mental health interventions at scale.

Building on innovative solutions supported by EU Framework Programmes for research and

Innovation and/or international, national, regional, and local initiatives, the challenges of the
topic are:

• to significantly increase / scale-up the percentage of interventions that are actually used,
and

• to involve families, individuals/communities, stakeholders and authorities, such as public

services, civil society organisations in the development and implementation of
interventions aimed at heterogeneous segments of population

Additional evidence is also needed about to which extend mental health interventions are
actually cost-effective and cost-efficient – looking via various policy perspectives, e.g.
education, training, working life, well-being and health. This would aid policy makers to
decide on which one (or a combination) of the policy choices to use when weighing up policy
choices in investment for education, training and work- related outcomes.

To ensure replicability, projects are required to specify clearly how they target primary
prevention (benefitting an entire target group), and/ or secondary prevention (provided for
vulnerable groups and individuals with existing mental health problems). The project design
and implementation should clearly outline and justify who they are targeting with what types
of interventions and in what type(s) of contexts.

Special attention should be paid to the visibility and communication of the research and
innovation findings to direct beneficiaries of the intervention and their families, communities,
wider publics and stakeholders from the start of the work.

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Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this call and other relevant
projects is strongly encouraged. Considering the complex design and implementation of these
projects, it is expected that projects may take 4 years or more to deliver solid evidence for
take-up by policy makers, practitioners and stakeholders, which also justifies an appropriate
budget per project.

Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-10: Good practices for increased autonomy of

persons with disabilities, including physical, mental, intellectual and sensory disabilities

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 3.40

contribution per million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
project Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a
proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.20 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 159.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to some of the following expected outcomes:

• Develop innovative evidence-based policy approaches to promote the autonomy of

persons with disabilities of any age.

159
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Develop practices that facilitate the full inclusion and participation of persons with
disabilities in different areas of life, including education, family life, employment, living
arrangements, leisure, arts, culture and sport on equal basis with others.

• Address the seamless use of accessible and assistive technology, including digital
technologies and artificial intelligence, in the community and related services and
infrastructure. If possible, identify specific measures and tools for different addressed
areas of lives of persons with disabilities, such as education, recruitment, hiring, return
to work, and independent life.

• Identify and compare the usefulness of different options for policies and measures
aiming to increase the autonomy and quality of life of persons with disabilities, as well
as the quality of life and well-being of their families, using a person-centred approach,
taking into account the individual needs of persons with disabilities and ensuring their
full enjoyment of human rights and fundamental freedoms on equal basis with others.

• Identify relevant actors to achieve effective results (public actors, civil society
organizations, private sector, social economy actors, etc.) and explore their roles and
interaction, with a view to assessing integration among different social, support and
essential services (including e.g. transport or housing) necessary to promote autonomy
and inclusion in the community.

Scope: The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities160 recognises the right
to individual autonomy and independence for persons with disabilities, including the freedom
to make their own choices. Ensuring this right requires a differentiated landscape of measures
in all areas of society, including ensuring accessibility and quality person-centred support
services.

Having affordable and community-based services and measures in place, which meet the
individual needs of persons with disabilities, is a basic pre-condition for autonomy and
independence. Social and support services and measures need to be inclusive and accessible
for persons with disabilities of any age and with any disability. Research should address
barriers and solutions with regard to specific disabilities to increase inclusiveness, decision-
making and autonomy, taking into account the integrated and person-centred support provided
by families. The role of the family as carers and as the first agent to promote inclusion needs
to be addressed. Different solutions for accessible and inclusive housing could also be
explored.

A key aspect of the autonomy and independence of persons with disabilities is the access to
inclusive education, training, active labour market measures and employment in the open
labour market. Promising support practices in these areas should be mapped, analysed and

160
Article 1 of the Un Convention on the Rights of Persons with disabilities: Persons with disabilities
include those who have long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairments which in
interaction with various barriers may hinder their full and effective participation in society on an equal
basis with others. https://www.ohchr.org/en/instruments-mechanisms/instruments/convention-rights-
persons-disabilities

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tested, including the integration and communication between different services for a user-
centred approach.

European Education Area initiatives such as the Council Recommendation on Pathways to

School Success161 aim to address equity and inclusion in education. A wide range of actions
and peer learning activities aimed at supporting inclusive education are also implemented, in
particular through two European Education Area strategic framework Working Groups 162 :
Working Group on Equality and Values in Education and Training and Working Group on
Schools – Pathways to School Success.

The proposals should consider the impact – including the impact on the self-esteem of persons
with disabilities – of inclusive education versus special needs education or special
schools/classes for promoting the autonomy of persons with disabilities. The proposals may
also consider the role of special training and lifelong learning adapted to persons with
physical, mental, intellectual or sensory disabilities.

New and innovative ways of increasing the autonomy of persons with disabilities need to be
explored and tested with the objective to reduce inequalities, promote their full inclusion in
society in different areas of life, including education, family life, employment, living
arrangements, leisure, arts, culture and sport, and improve their quality of life, as well as the
quality of life and well-being of their families. This includes the use of assistive technology
and other accessible digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) measures and tools to
increase accessibility in society and overall communication, social participation and inclusion
of persons with disabilities.

The possible loneliness, impact on emotional well-being and inactivity status of many persons
with disabilities needs to be addressed when designing approaches to increase their autonomy
and independence. Moreover, the higher risk of persons with disabilities to be exposed to
abuse, neglect (including self-neglect), scams and aggression needs to be considered,
including when disability is combined (from an intersectional perspective) with other
conditions which may be a source of vulnerability (e.g. age, gender, migrant status).
Loneliness and other mental health issues (e.g. burnout) suffered by family carers or other
informal carers may be also considered.

Proposals should include civil society engagement and dialogue, for wider input and uptake.
Proposals are encouraged to seek synergies and collaboration whenever possible with projects
funded under the topic HORIZON-HLTH-2025-01-STAYHLTH-01: Improving the quality of
life of persons with intellectual disabilities and their families. Where applicable, proposals
should leverage the data and services available through European Research Infrastructures
federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data from relevant Data Spaces.
Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic
is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

161
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A32022H1209%2801%29
162
https://education.ec.europa.eu/about-eea/working-groups

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HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-11: Intergenerational fairness in the context of

demographic change in the EU

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 3.00 and 4.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 12.00 million.

Type of Action Research and Innovation Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the
consortium selected for funding.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 163.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Enhance the understanding and engagement on intergenerational fairness among policy

makers, researchers and citizens on future trends and drivers of intergenerational fairness
in the EU through quantitative and qualitative analyses;

• Provide policy makers with scientific knowledge and data for evidence-informed
policies to address the drivers of intergenerational inequalities, tailoring interventions to
diverse demographic groups, ensuring inclusivity across gender, ethnicity, and
socioeconomic status;

• Develop an action plan to inform policy making, including a set of viable policies to
adapt the European economic and social model to reduce intergenerational imbalances

163
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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and help prevent them in the future, taking into account cross-policy synergies in terms
of factors influencing intergenerational fairness.

Scope: Demographic trends over the last decade and future projections show that the share of
the population aged 65+ is growing, both in comparison to the working-age population and to
the child population. This is due to an increasing life expectancy and lower fertility and poses
major challenges for intergenerational fairness and affects the implicit social contract across
generations.

There is a growing need to provide an adequate framework for addressing fairness across
generations (including knowledge on past generations, current and in particular future ones)
related to education and labour market opportunities and outcomes, wealth accumulation and
distribution of economic gains and costs, housing affordability, well-being and health,
including environmental impact, role of institutions and public services, in the face of new
challenges, such as ever-faster technological and climate change and changing public
preferences.

• Proposals should provide in-depth analysis of at least 3 different drivers of

intergenerational inequalities such as, but not exclusively, from the ones listed above,
and the interdependence between them.

• Proposals should investigate intergenerational fairness through an intersectional lens,

considering gender, family structure, socioeconomic and migration backgrounds.

• Proposals may have a regional and/or national dimension.

• Proposals may focus on developing and/or forecasting intergenerational fairness

indicators.

• Proposals may draw lessons from recent policy interventions in EU Member States in a
contextual and transdisciplinary manner and propose adjustment measures or test them
through social innovation experiments.

Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this call and other relevant
projects is strongly encouraged.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the data offered by European Research Infrastructures
in the social sciences domain, particularly SHARE (ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/ri-portfolio/table/).
Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European
Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data
from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced
in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-TRANSFO-12: Migration and climate change: building

resilience and enhancing sustainability

Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ - 2025

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Specific conditions

Expected EU The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR

contribution per 2.00 and 3.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed
project appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and
selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

Indicative budget The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 3.00 million.

Type of Action Coordination and Support Actions

Eligibility The conditions are described in General Annex B. The following

conditions exceptions apply:
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third
countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support
action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the
consortium selected for funding.

Procedure The procedure is described in General Annex F. The following

exceptions apply:
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.

Legal and financial The rules are described in General Annex G. The following exceptions
set-up of the Grant apply:
Agreements Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the
Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions
under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the
Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (2021-2025). 164.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Strengthen EU and national migration governance by developing a dynamic knowledge

database and an exchange platform, for enhanced collaboration among researchers,
policymakers, and practitioners, promoting the integration of environment and climate
change migration considerations into EU and national policies.

• Develop a strategic roadmap that outlines key research and policy priorities addressing
climate change and migration and supports implementation measures.

164
This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for
Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link:
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-
decision_he_en.pdf

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• Develop policy recommendations to improve the EU's understanding and preparedness,

and to enhance collaboration between the EU and third countries within the frameworks
of relevant EU policies.

Scope: Proposals should develop a strategic roadmap that will act as a comprehensive
framework for understanding the impacts of climate change on migration and outline key
research and policy priorities in the context of environmental degradation, climate change and
migration.

Having developed such a roadmap, proposals should develop a dynamic exchange platform
with up-to-date information, to be accessed by all concerned parties, involved in climate
change and migration including EU and national authorities, researchers, policymakers, and
relevant stakeholders. This platform should be collaborative, user-editable, and community-
driven, allowing for future updates and contributions from various stakeholders. It should act
as comprehensive go-to place, a source repository, and a networking and coordination space,
with a focus on integrating climate change considerations into migration policies. The
platform should incorporate comprehensive data on migration patterns, including on
international and internal displacements, on international destinations including neighbouring
EU countries, and EU arrivals, and on climate change as a root cause or its interaction with
other root causes, with the goal to inform policy decisions.

Proposals should identify gaps and set the groundwork for future research and policy
initiatives. They should adopt an interdisciplinary approach integrating climate, population,
and human mobility studies addressing the complex relationship between environmental
disasters and migration intentions. They should encompass a broader analysis of
vulnerabilities, such as internal displacements, how preexisting inequalities (e.g. social,
economic, political, health, gender are exacerbated due to climate change, and populations
stranded in their countries of origin, aligning with EU's external policy frameworks for
adaptation strategies165.

Proposals should work in collaboration with the Knowledge Centre on Migration and
Demography operated by the JRC166 with a view to be sustainable beyond the lifetime of the
project. In particular:

• the structure and the format of the platform should be decided together with DG RTD,
DG HOME and the JRC, and it should be built and hosted within the web environment
of the Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography as part of its knowledge
management efforts;

• the development of the roadmap is encouraged to be developed in consultation with

relevant stakeholders, particularly including with DG RTD, DG HOME and the JRC;

• findings and recommendations should be translated in very concise policy briefs, in

coordination with the JRC.

165
https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/adaptation-climate-change/eu-adaptation-strategy_en
166
https://knowledge4policy.ec.europa.eu/migration-demography_en

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Proposals could identify local case studies to perform context-specific analysis and extract
actionable insights and scalable solutions that could inform broader migration and climate
adaptation policies. These local case studies could explore the impact of climate change in
different regions and the phenomenon of environmental immobility, where individuals are
unable or unwilling to move despite facing significant environmental threats.

The proposals are strongly encouraged to look into the findings of completed Horizon 2020
projects on forecast and foresight, particularly from the topic ‘MIGRATION-01-2019 -
Understanding migration mobility patterns: elaborating mid and long-term migration
scenarios’, and wherever possible build on their outcomes and methodology167. They are also
encouraged to build on the deliverables of project INNOVATE168 and of relevant projects of
Destination “Effective management of EU external borders” of Horizon Europe Cluster’s
3/Horizon 2020’ SC7, such as projects ITFLOWS 169 , CRITERIA 170 , MIRROR 171 and
PERCEPTIONS172.

Proposals should consider incorporating in the platform the data provided by European
Research Infrastructures, such as the European Social Survey 173 or other Research
Infrastructures dealing with climate change and environment. Where applicable, proposals
should leverage the data and services available through European Research Infrastructures
federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data from relevant Data Spaces.
Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic
is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).

The selected project should produce a range of feasible policy recommendations. These
recommendations should be based on evaluations of existing EU humanitarian aid,
development and migration policies and drafted as policy options that are directly actionable ,
include cost considerations and explicitly recommend additions or modifications of current
EU strategies, regulations, and directives. The option of non-action should also be elaborated.
The recommendations should be firmly embedded in EU values such as respect for human
dignity, gender equality, and fundamental rights.

167
https://cordis.europa.eu/programme/id/H2020_MIGRATION-01-2019/en
168
Beneficiary of the topic HORIZON-CL2-2023-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-04: Bridging the migration
research to policy gap https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101132593
169
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/882986
170
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/101021866
171
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/832921
172
https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/833870
173
ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/ri-portfolio/table/

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OTHER ACTIONS not subject to calls for proposals

Grants to identified beneficiaries

1. Presidency event (CY) – Conference

PLACE HOLDER

Legal entities:

tbc, tbc

Form of Funding: Grants not subject to calls for proposals

Type of Action: Grant to identified beneficiary according to Financial Regulation Article

195(e) - Coordination and support action

The general conditions, including admissibility conditions, eligibility conditions, award

criteria, evaluation and award procedure, legal and financial set-up for grants, financial and
operational capacity and exclusion, and procedure are provided in parts A to G of the General
Annexes.

Indicative timetable: First semester 2026

Indicative budget: EUR 0.30 million from the 2025 budget

Public procurements

1. Studies, conferences, events and outreach activities

A number of specific contracts will be signed under existing framework contracts in order to:
(i) support the dissemination and exploitation of project results; (ii) contribute to the
definition of future challenge priorities; (iii) undertake citizen surveys such as
Eurobarometers, (iv) carry out specific evaluations of programme parts; and (v) organise
conferences, events and outreach activities. Should existing framework contracts prove
unsuitable or insufficient to support the abovementioned activities, one or more calls for
tender may be launched as appropriate.

Subject matter of the contracts envisaged: studies, technical assistance, conferences, events
and outreach activities within the scope of Cluster 2 ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive
Society’.

Form of Funding: Procurement

Type of Action: Public procurement

Indicative timetable: 2025

Indicative budget: EUR 1.00 million from the 2025 budget

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Other budget implementation instruments

1. Mobilisation of research funds in case of Emergencies 2025

This action will only be used in case of exceptional and duly substantiated emergencies as
described in the scope section of the action.

Expected Impact: Proposals should set out a credible pathway to contributing to one or
several expected impacts of the 3 destinations of Cluster 2 ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive
Society’.

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to at least one of the following expected
outcomes: Allow the Union to respond to emergencies in the field of:

• Democracy and governance, especially in the field of the rule of law, extremism, racism
and/or foreign interference to democratic processes of the EU, its Member States, EU
Neighbourhood and Candidate countries;

• Cultural heritage, cultural and creative sectors and industries, especially the protection of
cultural heritage, provenance research and fight of illicit trafficking of cultural goods;

• Social and economic transformations, especially economic and financial shocks and
unprecedented pressures on global supply chains, labour markets and social protection
systems;

• Migration, refugee and asylum policies, especially unforeseen humanitarian crises

caused by sudden migration and refugee flows and displacement of civil population.

Scope: Future emergencies, such as potential further, currently unknown consequences of the
unprovoked military aggression and invasion of Ukraine by Russia174, , consequences of other
conflicts in Europe and its vicinity, or major events with societal impact (including, but not
limited to, public health and climate-related ones), require the urgent mobilisation of Cluster 2
Research and Innovation stakeholders in order to assist European policy and decision-making
with evidence, analysis and policy options, therefore funding will be mobilised for:

• The award of grants without a call for proposals according to Article 195 (b) of the EU
Financial Regulation175 in exceptional and duly substantiated emergencies. At that time,
the Funding & Tenders Portal will open a dedicated section where proposals can be
submitted. This will be communicated to the National Contact Points. The invitation to
apply for funding will be open to all eligible entities or be limited to targeted entities,
taking into account the need to achieve the underlying objectives in a quick and efficient
manner considering the exceptional circumstances.

174
Condemned on a global scale by the overwhelming majority of United Nations Member States in the
Resolution of the UN General Assembly of 2 March 2022 (UN GA Resolution ES 11/1) and addressed
by European Commission Communications COM(2022) 107 final and COM(2022) 131 final.
175
Article 195 (b) of the Financial Regulation 2018/1046 "Grants may be awarded without a call for
proposals only in the following cases: […] (b) in other exceptional and duly substantiated
emergencies;”.

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The standard eligibility and admissibility criteria, evaluation criteria, thresholds, weighting for
award criteria, maximum funding rate and conditions for providing financial support to third
parties, are provided in the General Annexes.

The following derogations to the evaluation procedure described in General Annexes D and F
apply to open invitations to submit applications:

• In order to ensure a balanced portfolio covering, grants will be awarded to applications

not only in order of ranking, but also to those projects that enhance the quality of the
project portfolio through synergies between projects and avoidance of overlaps, provided
that the applications attain all thresholds.

• The action may also include justified derogations from the standard limits to financial
support to third parties. Where applicable, the relevant grant agreement options will be
applied.

Form of Funding: Grants not subject to calls for proposals

Type of Action: Grant awarded without call for proposals according to Financial Regulation
Article 195 (b)

The general conditions, including admissibility conditions, eligibility conditions, award

criteria, evaluation and award procedure, legal and financial set-up for grants, financial and
operational capacity and exclusion, and procedure are provided in parts A to G of the General
Annexes.

Indicative timetable: Will depend on the emergency

Indicative budget: EUR 3.00 million from the 2025 budget

Indirectly managed actions

1. Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI) Phase 4

Expected Outcome: the project is expected to contribute to all of the following expected
outcomes:

• Creation of new knowledge and expanding the horizon for public sector innovation: The
project will significantly expand the frontier of public sector innovation knowledge with
first-hand, in-depth research on emerging innovative approaches to tackle public
challenges (from twin transitions to leveraging AI for public good) and will support
governments with the application of that knowledge in internal government policy,
service processes and practices.

• From theory to practice: The project will support governments in the creation of
organizational frameworks, ways of working, rules, processes, coordination, and
capabilities conducive to sustaining innovation within government administrations;

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preparation for anticipatory governance and adaptation to emerging challenges through

innovative internal working methods, action research, and capability-building.

• Fostering multi-party collaboration and strengthening the network: The project will
foster multi-party collaborative projects among networks of governments to build new
knowledge, share good practices and jointly develop practical guidance for public sector
innovation. OPSI will convene and facilitate high-level strategic reflections and extend
existing networks by intensifying collaborations via common shared research and online
tools, deepening the reach of innovation into core professional communities (such as
policymakers and regulators, analysts, auditors, budget officials, etc) within national
government administrations. The project will further expand and connect the public
sector innovation community inside governments at EU, national, and sub-national
levels.

• Taking stock of national governments’ internal innovation efforts: The project will help
expand the understanding of how national governments in the EU and Horizon Europe
Associated Countries promote and facilitate innovation in their government through e.g.
more granular mapping, policy-relevant and easy-accessible comparative data. This
support will be aimed at producing a comparative outlook on public sector innovation in
the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries as regards their internal innovation
efforts, new governance practices, working methodologies, innovative policymaking
practices (e.g. through experimentation, systems approaches, etc.). By engaging with the
broader innovation system, governments will become better equipped to develop
effective public policies, responsive public services, and co-create solutions to pressing
societal challenges.

Scope: In this new era of rapidly emerging disruptive technologies, climate change, and
mounting geopolitical, economic and societal pressures, governments are facing multiple,
simultaneous challenges, and changes at national and global level. Governments must evolve
to meet these multifaceted challenges, fostering resilience and adaptability through internal
innovation efforts and positively impactful public sector reforms. This evolution will reshape
administrative structures, redefine collaboration with other ecosystem players, and transform
resource management and operational strategies—and it needs to be done while building trust
and democratic legitimacy with constituents. It is essential to provide a framework for
governments to exchange experiences, learn from one another and to be supported in their
efforts of bringing innovative practices into the daily operations of their public
administrations.

Activities that need to be conducted in order to attain the above expected outcomes are the
following:

• Systematically identify and map potential enablers of innovation in public

administrations through mechanisms like e.g. procurement, budgeting, and human
resources management as points for innovation in public administration. Provide
enriched sets of data on major trends and enablers with a view of distilling policy-

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oriented guidance. Explore how innovation can drive public trust in government, linking
innovation with core public functions and leveraging insights from behavioral science.

• Define and support the next generation of public sector innovation labs, which must
handle complexity and change, provide purpose-driven approaches to citizens’/societal
challenges, and host exploratory and experimental methods and practices in public
administrations. Gather up-to-date relevant data to go beyond normative approaches to
innovation labs, drawing on experiences, challenges and opportunities for innovation
labs at the global level. Design guidelines and instruments to support innovation labs to
create value for people and lever innovation in Government. Test and compare models
for delivering innovation across different governance contexts and at different scales.
Specify frameworks and instruments to provide actionable and re-usable guidance to
steer and support the embeddedness and sustainability of innovation labs in the public
sector, as well as secure and improve high-level commitment and sponsorship.

• Revisit the core skills for public sector innovation and identify the factors that transform
public administrations from talk into action. Evaluate and enhance modalities for
capacity building in innovation, focusing on structures and practices that foster an
authorizing environment for innovation, especially at senior management levels. Share
learnings through structure knowledge-enhancing programs for civil servants,
policymakers, public managers, and senior leaders.

• Broad-based and practical anticipatory innovation governance through actioning existing

principles and developing new tools, such as those aimed at anticipatory intelligence
collection and sharing, regular outlooks on the future of government, as well as case
research on emerging trends and behavioral science, to help governments anticipate and
navigate future changes.

• Strengthen multi-party projects via online platforms, extending its reach within national
government administrations, and expanding the public sector innovation community at
all levels. Disseminate the vast collection of practical knowledge through new channels
and in new formats, leveraging behavioral science to reach audiences that are not already
“innovation enthusiasts.”

• Design and support purpose-driven approaches for governments to address societal

challenges, such as social inclusion. Strengthen existing methods and tools for the
engagement of stakeholders from the broader innovation ecosystem for co-creation, co-
delivery, and co-assessment of innovative policies and initiatives. Test challenge-based
approaches for ecosystem engagement in order to demonstrate their potential benefits
(and challenges) for public sector innovation, and share the lessons learned and related
methodological resources.

This grant will be awarded without a call for proposals according to Article 195(e) of the
Financial Regulation and Article 20 of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme and Rules
for Participation.

Part 5 - Page 139 of 143

 Horizon Europe - Work Programme 2025
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

The Observatory of Public Sector Innovation (OPSI) was established and managed by the
OECD, co-funded by the Horizon Europe Programme (and other OECD countries) since
2015. Based on the results of the work and on the collaborations developed with the network
of OPSI national contact points, the Observatory offers leading edge action research, related
infrastructure and valuable support to governments investing in the development of internal
innovation capabilities, strategies and practices within their government administrations. The
OPSI shares a wealth of new knowledge and experience with OECD governments, including
24 EU Member States signatory to the OECD Declaration on Public Sector Innovation
(2019). There is no other actor with the necessary infrastructure, state-of-the-art analytical
capacity and data in international comparison, political processes and networks in place, and
with access to this large constituent of governments of the world’s leading economies that
could do the work of this scale and scope. This action would enable the OECD OPSI to
intensify, deepen and widen its work with governments in support of their internal innovation
efforts.

Legal entities:

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), 2, rue André Pascal,
75775 Paris Cedex 16, France

Form of Funding: Indirectly managed actions

Type of Action: Indirectly managed action

Indicative timetable: 2025

Indicative budget: EUR 1.50 million from the 2025 budget

Part 5 - Page 140 of 143

 Horizon Europe - Work Programme 2025
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

Budget176

Budget 2025 2026

line(s) Budget Budget
(EUR (EUR
million) million)

Calls

HORIZON-CL2-2025-01 416.10

from 416.10
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 0.15

MISS-2025-07 under Part 12 of the work
from 0.15
programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 3.19

MISS-2025-02 under Part 12 of the work
from 3.19
programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 0.32

MISS-2025-06 under Part 12 of the work
from 0.32
programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 1.59

MISS-2025-04 under Part 12 of the work
from 1.59
programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 3.00

MISS-2025-01 under Part 12 of the work
from 3.00
programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 2.89

MISS-2025-05 under Part 12 of the work
from 2.89
programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to call HORIZON- 3.06

176
The budget figures given in this table are rounded to two decimal places.
The budget amounts are subject to the availability of the appropriations provided for in the general
budget of the Union for 2025.

Part 5 - Page 141 of 143

 Horizon Europe - Work Programme 2025
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

MISS-2025-03 under Part 12 of the work from 3.06

programme 01.020220

Other actions

Grant to identified beneficiary according to 0.30

Financial Regulation Article 195(e)
from 0.30
01.020220

Public procurement 1.00

from 1.00
01.020220

Grant awarded without a call for proposals 3.00

according to Financial Regulation Article 195
from 3.00
01.020220

Indirectly managed action 1.50

from 1.50
01.020220

Contribution from this part to Public procurement 0.77 0.06

under Part 12 of the work programme
from 0.77 0.06
01.020220

Contribution from this part to Provision of 0.01

technical/scientific services by the Joint Research
from 0.01
Centre under Part 12 of the work programme
01.020220

Contribution from this part to Specific grant 0.91

agreement under Part 12 of the work programme
from 0.91
01.020220

Contribution from this part to Indirectly managed 0.59

action under Part 12 of the work programme
from 0.59
01.020220

Contribution from this part to Expert contract action 0.04

under Part 12 of the work programme
from 0.04
01.020220

Estimated total budget 438.43 0.06

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Horizon Europe - Work Programme 2025
Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

Part 5 - Page 143 of 143