Funding Opportunities 2021-2027

CESIE aims to inform its partners and beneficiaries about the new funding and cooperation opportunities offered by the European Commission for the period 2021-2027, under the new Programmes.

It will be our pleasure to constantly update this section with the latest news from the European Commission. Find below an overview of the programmes of education, youth, sport, research, justice, culture and citizenship.

Erasmus+

Enriching lives, opening minds through the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport

The new Erasmus+ 2021-2027 has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion, nearly doubling the funding compared to its predecessor programmes (2014-2020), complemented by around €2.2 billion from EU external cooperation instruments. 70% of the budget will support mobility opportunities for all, in a lifelong learning perspective. 30% of the budget will be invested in cooperation projects and policy development activities where organisations gain experience in international cooperation, strengthen their capacities, produce innovative approaches, exchange good practices and network. Through these actions, Erasmus+ will play an important role in strengthening resilience and supporting recovery and innovation in the fields of education, training, youth and sport.

The programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transition, as well as on promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.

Deadlines
Call Deadline
Key Action 1

Mobility for learners and staff in vocational education and training

20th of February 2024 at 12.00

Mobility of staff in the field of sport

20th of February 2024 at 12.00

International mobility for third countries not associated to the Programme

20th of February 2024 at 12.00

Erasmus accreditation in the fields of vocational education and training, school education and adult education

1st of October 2024 at 12.00

Erasmus accreditation in the field of youth

1st of October 2024 at 12.00

Learning Mobility of Individuals in the field of youth

20th of February 2024 at 12.00

Learning Mobility of Individuals in the field of youth

1st of October 2024 at 12.00

DiscoverEU Inclusion Action

20th of February 2024 at 12.00

Virtual exchanges in higher education and youth

25th of April 2024 at 17.00

Call Deadline
Key Action 2

Cooperation partnerships in the fields of education, training and youth, except for those submitted by EU NGOs

5th of March 2024 at 12.00

Cooperation partnerships in the fields of education, training and youth submitted by EU NGOs

5th of March 2024 at 17.00

Cooperation partnerships in the field of sport

5th of March 2024 at 17.00

Cooperation partnerships in the fields of education, training and youth, except for those submitted by EU NGOs

1st of October 2024 at 12.00

Small-scale partnerships in the fields of school education, VET, adult education and youth

5th of March 2024 at 12.00

Small-scale partnerships in the fields of school education, VET, adult education and youth

1st of October 2024 at 12.00

Small-scale partnerships in the field of sport

5th of March 2024 at 17.00

Centres of Vocational Excellence 

7th of May 2024 at 17.00

Erasmus+ Teacher Academies

6th of June 2024 at 17.00

Erasmus Mundus Action

15th of February 2024 at 17.00

Alliances for innovation

7th of March 2024 at 17.00

Capacity building in Higher Education

8th of February 2024 at 17.00

Capacity building in the field of vocational education and training (VET)

29th of February 2024 at 17.00

Capacity Building in the field of youth

6th of March 2024 at 17.00

Capacity Building in the field of sport

5th of March 2024 at 17.00

Not-ForProfit European sport events

5th of March 2024 at 17.00

Call Deadline
Key Action 3

European Youth Together

7th of March 2024 at 17.00

 

Call Deadline
Jean Monnet Actions and Networks 1st of February 2024 at 17.00

Asylum and Migration Fund

Supporting a robust, realistic and fair EU policy

The main priorities that will be addressed under the Asylum and Migration Fund are: a stronger and more efficient Common European Asylum System, greater support for integration and faster and more frequent returns. The programme will support the early integration of migrants and asylum applicants.

Global Europe - NDICI

A single instrument to finance EU policies on poverty reduction, protection of human rights and crisis response

Global Europe is the EU’s main financial tool for promoting sustainable development, peace and stability across the globe. With an envelope of €79.5 billion for the period 2021-2027, the EU’s external actions support partner countries in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.

    International Security Fund (ISF)

    Fighting against terrorism and radicalization, serious and organized crime, cybercrime and protecting the victims

    With an overall budget of €1.9 billion, the Internal Security Fund, will finance actions in the field of fight against terrorism and radicalization, serious and organized crime, cybercrime and the protection of victims. The ISF will contribute in particular to: increasing the exchange of information between EU law enforcement authorities and enhancing co-operation and cross border operations; cross-border cooperation via intensifying cross-border joint operations; fight against crime via strengthening capabilities to combat and prevent crime and reinforcing protection against terrorism, organised crime and cybercrime.

    Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV)

    Contributing to sustain and further develop open, rights-based, democratic, equal and inclusive societies based on the rule of law

    The new €1.55 billion CERV programme aims at protecting and promoting the rights and values as enshrined in the Treaties, the Charter and in the applicable international human rights conventions. It will be based on four strands: (i) Union values; (ii) Equality, Rights and Gender Equality and participation; (iii) Citizens’ engagement; (iv) Daphne.

    Deadlines
    Call Deadline

    Capacity building and awareness raising on the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights (CERV-2024-CHARLITI-CHARTER)

    18th of September 2024 at 17.00

    Promoting rights and values by empowering the civic space (CERV-2024-CHARLITI-CIVIC)

    18th of September 2024 at 17.00

    Strategic Litigation (CERV-2024-CHAR-LITIGATION)

    18th of September 2024 at 17.00

    Protecting EU values and rights by combating hate speech and hate crime (CERV-2024-CHARLITI-SPEECH)

    18th of September 2024 at 17.00

    Supporting an enabling environment for the protection of whistleblowers (CERV-2024-CHARLITI-WHISTLE)

    18 settembre 2024 alle 17.00

    CERV Call for proposals Town Twinning

    19th of September 2024 at 17.00

    CERV - 2024 - CITIZENS- REM-HOLOCAUST - Strengthening the remembrance of the Holocaust, genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity to reinforce democracy in the EU

    6th of June 2024 at 17.00

    CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM-TRANSITION- Democratic transition, (re-)building and strengthening society based on the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights

    6th of June 2024 at 17.00

    CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM-HISTMIGRATION - Migration, de-colonisation and multicultural European societies

    6th of June 2024 at 17.00

    CERV-2024-CITIZENS-REM-EUINTEGRATION - European integration and its defining achievements

    6th of June 2024 at 17.00

    CERV Networks of Towns

    18th of April 2024 at 17.00

    CERV Call for proposals to promote gender equality

    9th of April 2024 at 17.00

    CERV Call for proposals to prevent and combat gender-based violence and violence against children

    29th of May 2024 at 17.00

    CERV Call for proposals on rights of the child and children's partcipation

    26th of March 2024 at 17.00

    CERV Call for proposals for civil society organisations active on protecting and promoting Union values: call to intermediaries (giving financial support to third parties)

    7th of March 2024 at 17.00

    Justice

    Contributing to the further development of a European area of justice based on the rule of law

    The Justice Programme is running from 2021 to 2027. It provides funding to support judicial cooperation in civil and criminal matters such as training to judges and other legal practitioners and effective access to justice for citizens and businesses. It contributes to the further development of a European area of justice based on the rule of law, including independence and impartiality of the judiciary, on mutual recognition, mutual trust and judicial cooperation. It is strengthening democracy, rule of law, and fundamental rights.

    Digital Europe

    Accelerating the recovery and drive the digital transformation of Europe

    With €7.6 billion, the Digital Europe Programme will provide funding for projects in five crucial areas: supercomputing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, advanced digital skills, and ensuring the wide use of digital technologies across the economy and society. The programme focuses on building the strategic digital capacities of the EU and on facilitating the wide deployment of digital technologies, to be used by Europe's citizens and businesses. Investments under the Digital Europe programme supports the Union’s twin objectives of a green transition and digital transformation and strengthens the Union’s resilience and strategic autonomy.

    Creative Europe

    Promoting, strengthening and protecting European cultural and linguistic diversity, cultural heritage and creativity

    Culture plays a pivotal role in addressing key societal and economic challenges, especially in promoting active citizenship, common values, wellbeing, innovation, economic growth and job creation. With a total budget of €2.4 billion, the Creative Europe programme will continue to promote cultural and linguistic diversity, heritage and competitiveness, and will allow cultural and creative organisations and professionals to co-create and cooperate across borders and to reach wider audiences, tackling current societal questions and supporting emerging artists.

    Interreg Europe

    Interreg Europe is an interregional cooperation programme aiming at supporting the exchange of good practices and policy learning among European regions in 29 countries - the EU27, Norway and Switzerland. The European Union strives to reduce disparities in the levels of development, growth and quality of life in and across Europe’s regions. The programme contributes to this objective by creating an environment and opportunities for sharing solutions to regional development issues.

    The programme’s budget is MEUR 379 to help local, regional and national governments across Europe to develop and deliver better policy.

    Deadlines
    Call Deadline

    3rd call for projects

    7th of June 2024 at 17.00 (ENG) - 7 giugno 2024 alle 17.00 (ITA)

    Interreg NEXT

    Supporting economic and social development of the border areas through joint actions including in environment protections, public health services, safety and security measures, connectivity, support to SMEs and entrepreneurship

    In 2021-2027, the cross-border cooperation between EU Member States and Neighbourhood region will be governed by the EU Cohesion policy and the programmes will be fully part of Interreg. In order to highlight the external dimension of Cohesion policy and at the same time to emphasise how close EU and partner countries stand, the new programmes is called “Interreg NEXT”.

      Interreg Euro-MED

      We are a European Territorial Cooperation Programme that aims to make the Mediterranean region smarter and greener and improve the governance between its stakeholders. We provide funds for projects developed and managed by public administrations, universities, private and civil society organisations.

      The Interreg Euro-MED Programme supports cooperation across Mediterranean borders. We provide funds for projects developed and managed by public administrations, universities, private and civil society organisations. The Programme brings together partners from 69 regions of 14 countries from the Northern shore of the Mediterranean with a common objective: a climate neutral and resilient society for the benefit of its citizens. For the next seven year, together with our partners we will work to make the region smarter, greener and improve the governance between its stakeholders. The total programme budget amounts to about 294M€ for the 2021-2027 period.

      Deadlines
      Call Deadline

      Call 4

      12 giugno 2024 (ITA) / 12th of June 2024 (ENG)

      Call 5

      26 settembre 2024 (ITA) / 26th of September 2024 (ENG)

      ESF+

      The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the European Union (EU)’s main instrument for investing in people and supporting the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights.

      With a budget of €142.7 billion for the period 2021-2027, the ESF+ will continue to provide an important contribution to the EU’s employment, social, education and skills policies, including structural reforms in these areas. The Fund will also be one of the cornerstones of EU socio-economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has reversed gains in labour participation, challenged educational and health systems and increased inequalities. The ESF+ will be one of the key EU instruments helping Member States to address these challenges. As part of cohesion policy, the ESF+ will also continue its mission to support economic, territorial and social cohesion in the EU – reducing disparities between Member States and regions.

      LIFE

      The LIFE programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action. Created in 1992, it has co-financed thousands of projects. The LIFE programme 2021-2027 is managed by the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) and has a budget of €5.4 billion and is divided into four sub-programmes:

      • Nature and biodiversity
      • Circular economy and quality of life
      • Climate change mitigation and adaptation
      • Clean energy transition 
      Deadlines
      Call Deadline

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for circular economy and quality of life - Environment

      19th of September 2024

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for circular economy and quality of life - Governance

      19th of September 2024

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for nature and biodiversity - Nature

      19th of September 2024

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for nature and biodiversity - Governance

      19th of September 2024

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for climate change adaptation

      17th of September 2024

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for climate change mitigation

      17th of September 2024

      Standard Action Projects (SAPs) for climate governance and information

      17th of September 2024

      LIFE Clean Energy Transition – Standard Action Project

      19th of September 2024

      Strategic Nature Projects (SNaP)

      Concept notes:  5 September 2024 

      Full proposals:  6 March 2025

      Strategic Integrated Projects – SIP Environment

      Concept notes:  5 September 2024 

      Full proposals:  6 March 2025

      Strategic Integrated Projects – SIP Climate

      Concept notes:  5 September 2024 

      Full proposals: 6 March 2025

      Technical Assistance preparation for SNAPs

      18th of September 2024

      Technical Assistance preparation for SIPs - Environment

      18th of September 2024

      Technical Assistance preparation for SIPs - Climate

      18th of September 2024

      Technical Assistance Replication

      18th of September 2024

      Framework Partnership Agreements (FPA OG)

      5th of September 2024

      Specific Operating Grant Agreements (SGA OG)

      17th of September 2024

      LIFE Preparatory Projects (addressing ad hoc Legislative and Policy Priorities - PLP)

      19th of September 2024

      PILOT PROJECTS AND PREPARATORY ACTIONS (PPPA)

      Pilot projects and preparatory actions are experimental initiatives designed to test the feasibility of new actions and prepare new programmes. PPPAs might turn into EU funding programmes. Pilot projects are designed to test the feasibility of an action, and last not more than 2 years. Preparatory actions last for up to 3 years, and are often the successor of a successful pilot project. They are designed to prepare new EU policies, legislation, programmes etc.

        Deadlines
        Call Deadline
        Sport Supports - emergency sport actions for youth (PPPA-SPORT-2024-EMERGENCY-YOUTH) 17th  of October 2024 at 17:00 / 17 ottobre 2024 alle 17

        EU4Health

        The EU4Health programme was adopted as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to reinforce crisis preparedness in the EU. The pandemic highlighted the fragility of national health systems. The EU4Health programme will bring a contribution to the long-term health challenges by building stronger, more resilient and more accessible health systems.

        Deadlines
        Call Deadline

        Call for proposals to support a comprehensive, prevention-oriented approach to mental health in the Union - (DP-g-24-25) (EU4H-2024-PJ-03-1)

        22nd  of January 2025 at 17:00

        Interregional Innovation Investments (I3) Instrument

        The Interregional innovation investments instrument as part of the European Regional and Development Fund (ERDF) aims at supporting interregional innovation projects in their commercialisation and scale-up phases giving them the tools to overcome regulatory and other barriers and bring their project to investment level.

        Deadlines
        Call Deadline

        Capacity Building Strand 2b (I3-2023-CAP2b)

        14th  of November 2024 at 17:00

        Interregional Innovation Investments Strand 1 (I3-2024-INV1)

        5th of December 2024 at 17:00

        The Single Market Programme (SMP)

        The Single Market Programme (SMP) was adopted on 28 April 2021. With EUR 4,208 million over the period 2021-2027, the SMP provides an integrated package to support and strengthen the governance and functioning of the Single Market.
        The SMP includes a budget dedicated to actions in support of competition policy. This Competition Programme will enable the Commission to directly support competition policy development and to ensure efficient, effective and relevant competition enforcement. The SMP is a modern, simple and flexible programme, which consolidates a large range of activities that were previously financed separately, into one coherent programme. It will ensure continuity in the efficient delivery of the Single Market on the ground, while providing better value for money for EU citizens, and allow focus on priorities essential for the recovery.

        Tender Opportunities

        EU institutions, agencies and other bodies, as well as various international donors regularly publish Calls for tenders for the provision of services (technical assistance, studies etc.) in different sectors. Tendering is a competitive bidding process that awards contracts to the candidate proposing the best quality-price ratio.

        CESIE’s main priority fields are:

        • Entrepreneurship, employment and employability
        • Education – Elementary and Secondary School Education; VET
        • Gender Equality
        • Social Inclusion, support to civil society organisations
        • Radicalisation and extremism prevention
        • Digitalisation; online communication and online campaigning, e-learning
        Learn more

        The European Commission’s department for International Partnerships launches calls for tenders in the context of the external action of the EU. Thematic focus areas of the DG International Partnerships include: Democracy and human rights; Education and skills; Energy; Environment; Gender equality; Health; Urban and regional development; Nutrition and food security; Peaceful and inclusive societies; Sustainable economic growth; Water and sanitation; Partners (Local Authorities and Civil Society. Geographically, the external action encompasses Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Overseas Countries and Territories.

        Call for tenders are also regularly launched by DG NEAR for the regions of the Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood of the EU.

        Other DGs (e.g. the Directorate-General for Education and Culture, DG EAC) use tender procedures as well for the procurement of a variety of services inside the European Union.

        Further to this, calls for tenders are used by other donors, such as the German Development Cooperation Agency GIZ.

        Some of these tender opportunities follow an open procedure, where interested tenderers are asked to send directly their proposal within an established deadline; some also foresee a two-step selection process, where the tenderer first has to submit an “Expression of Interest” and then, if pre-selected, receives the complete Terms of Reference together with the invitation to submit the complete proposal within a given deadline.

        Learn more about tender opportunities:

        CESIE ETS