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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal under the Creative Innovation Lab must bridge the audiovisual sector with other cultural and creative sectors (CCS) through scalable, technology-driven prototypes that tackle market fragmentation. Focus on cross-sectoral deployment of emerging tech (such as virtual worlds, generative AI, and blockchain) that reconciles commercial viability, transparent IP/rights management, and verifiable carbon reduction aligned with the New European Bauhaus.
Virtual Worlds as a new environment for the promotion of European content, audience renewal and competitiveness of European content industries
Innovative Business Tools for production, financing, distribution or promotion enabled or enhanced by new technology (AI, big data, blockchain, Virtual Worlds, NFT, etc.), in particular: Rights’ management and monetisation (including innovative bundled subscription offers to access diverse European cultural content from various existing European platforms), at the same time ensuring transparency and fair remuneration for creators and artists
Innovative Business Tools for production, financing, distribution or promotion enabled or enhanced by new technology (AI, big data, blockchain, Virtual Worlds, NFT, etc.), in particular: Data collection and analysis, with particular emphasis on prediction for content creation and audience development (including innovative cross-sectoral tools to improve the quality of the subscriber service and a better valorisation of European content offered by European online platforms)
“Greener” practices in order to lower the impact on the environment of the audiovisual and other cultural sectors in line with the Commission’s Green Deal and the New Bauhaus initiative
Improve the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors: transparency, data collection and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence/big data, adaptation to the challenges and opportunities driven by the ongoing changes in those sectors
Improve the adaptation of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors to the opportunities offered by the development of virtual worlds (also called metaverse(s))
Improve the production/financing and circulation of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age
Increase the visibility, discoverability, availability and diversity of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age
Increase the potential audience of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age
Accelerate the environmental transition of the European audiovisual, cultural and other creative sectors, in line with the priorities of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus
No expected impacts identified for this destination.
New European Bauhaus
highThe New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an environmental, economic, and cultural initiative connecting the European Green Deal to living spaces and experiences. It calls for collective reimagining of sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing futures across creative and cultural ecosystems.
Evaluators expect proposals to operationalize the core values of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion, demonstrating how creative solutions bridge arts, culture, technology, and environmental transition.
CREA Regulation 2021/818
highRegulation (EU) 2021/818 establishes the Creative Europe programme (2021–2027), aimed at safeguarding, developing, and promoting European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage. It focuses on boosting the competitiveness and economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors, notably through cross-sectoral collaboration and digital innovation.
Evaluators expect projects working with creative or cultural sectors to demonstrate synergies with Creative Europe objectives, particularly regarding innovative business models, cross-border digital distribution, and audience engagement.
European Green Deal
mediumThe EU Green Deal aims to transform the EU into a fair, healthy, and environmentally sustainable society, with a focus on sustainable food systems. This call aligns with the Green Deal’s goals by addressing the health impacts of diets and promoting resilient, inclusive food systems that support mental well-being.
Evaluators will look for proposals that demonstrate how the project contributes to sustainable food production, reduces environmental footprints, and promotes equitable access to healthy diets, particularly in vulnerable groups.
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
lowRegulation (EU, Euratom) 2024/2509 sets out the general financial rules applicable to the general budget of the European Union, governing public procurement, grants, financial instruments, and indirect management. It emphasizes sound financial management, transparency, and protection of the Union's financial interests.
Evaluators expect compliant financial architectures, robust consortium governance structures, transparent budgeting, and compliance with rules on eligible costs and subcontracting.
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described in the call document.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in the call document.
described in the call document.
described in the call document.
described in the call document.
Evaluation criteria, scoring, threshold and process are described in the call document.
described in the call document.
Publication of the call: October, 20 2026.
Deadline for submitting applications: April, 22 2027 17:00 (Brussels time).
Evaluation period: May-September 2027.
Information to applicants: October 2027.
Signature of grant agreement: January 2028.
described in the call document.
Application form templates
Standard application form (CREA MEDIA) — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Information on independence and ownership control (CREA MEDIA)
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will prioritize cross-sectoral validity and genuine market uptake potential beyond the consortium partners. They will closely scrutinize whether the proposed business models guarantee fair remuneration and IP transparency for creators, while seeking clear, measurable methodologies for environmental transition under @EO6 and demonstrable audience renewal mechanisms under @EO2 and @EO5.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Virtual Worlds as a new environment for the promotion of European content, audience renewal and competitiveness of European content industries | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Innovative Business Tools for production, financing, distribution or promotion enabled or enhanced by new technology (AI, big data, blockchain, Virtual Worlds, NFT, etc.), in particular: Rights’ management and monetisation (including innovative bundled subscription offers to access diverse European cultural content from various existing European platforms), at the same time ensuring transparency and fair remuneration for creators and artists | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Innovative Business Tools for production, financing, distribution or promotion enabled or enhanced by new technology (AI, big data, blockchain, Virtual Worlds, NFT, etc.), in particular: Data collection and analysis, with particular emphasis on prediction for content creation and audience development (including innovative cross-sectoral tools to improve the quality of the subscriber service and a better valorisation of European content offered by European online platforms) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4“Greener” practices in order to lower the impact on the environment of the audiovisual and other cultural sectors in line with the Commission’s Green Deal and the New Bauhaus initiative | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Improve the competitiveness of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors: transparency, data collection and the appropriate use of artificial intelligence/big data, adaptation to the challenges and opportunities driven by the ongoing changes in those sectors | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Improve the adaptation of the European audiovisual and other cultural and creative sectors to the opportunities offered by the development of virtual worlds (also called metaverse(s)) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Improve the production/financing and circulation of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Increase the visibility, discoverability, availability and diversity of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5Increase the potential audience of European audiovisual and cultural content in the digital age | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO6Accelerate the environmental transition of the European audiovisual, cultural and other creative sectors, in line with the priorities of the European Green Deal and the New European Bauhaus | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Cross-sectoral cooperation between audiovisual and music, books, or museumsApplications must clearly demonstrate the extent of the cross-sectoral approach between the audiovisual sector (compulsory) and at least one other sector (music, books, or museums), detailing implementation conditions and expected sectoral benefits. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Gender balance, inclusion, diversity and representativeness strategiesApplications should present adequate strategies to ensure gender balance, inclusion, diversity, and representativeness. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Strategies for a more sustainable and environmentally-respectful industryApplications should present adequate strategies to ensure a more sustainable and more environmentally-respectful industry. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Involvement of diverse stakeholders, incubators, and acceleratorsParticipation is invited from a wide spectrum of organisations (public/private entities, tech companies, start-ups, audiovisual, cultural, and creative bodies), with participation of business incubators and accelerators specifically encouraged. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| No expected impacts in this call. | |||
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1new european bauhausThe New European Bauhaus (NEB) is an environmental, economic, and cultural initiative connecting the European Green Deal to living spaces and experiences. It calls for collective reimagining of sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically pleasing futures across creative and cultural ecosystems. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2crea regulation 2021/818Regulation (EU) 2021/818 establishes the Creative Europe programme (2021–2027), aimed at safeguarding, developing, and promoting European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage. It focuses on boosting the competitiveness and economic potential of the cultural and creative sectors, notably through cross-sectoral collaboration and digital innovation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
5 key insights you must internalise before writing. Each is grounded in the call text and tells you what evaluators will actually look for. Share these with your consortium before drafting.
A proposal will fail if it does not explicitly bridge the audiovisual sector with at least one of three strictly defined sectors: music, books, or museums. General cultural cross-collaboration is insufficient; the consortium and the proposed technological solutions must reflect this exact mandatory pairing.
Source: Scope
Do not allocate budget for creating new cultural media or hosting festivals. Costs related to content production, development, or the organization of cultural events are strictly ineligible. The financial architecture must focus entirely on the technological tools, business models, and distribution mechanisms rather than the media assets themselves.
Source: Scope
Evaluators will explicitly assess the project's ability to secure private or own investment. Requesting an EU funding rate below the 80% maximum threshold is a direct assessment factor, meaning proposals that maximize their own co-financing will gain a competitive advantage during evaluation.
Source: Scope
Technological solutions must not just improve distribution; they must structurally protect creators. Evaluators will heavily scrutinize the proposed business models to ensure they guarantee fair remuneration and IP transparency for artists, making this a critical scoring driver for any rights management or data analytics tool.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
If addressing the environmental transition topic, generic sustainability claims will score poorly. Evaluators require clear, measurable methodologies for carbon reduction that explicitly operationalize the New European Bauhaus principles of sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
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