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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must position the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries (CCSI) not as a decorative afterthought, but as an indispensable driver of cross-sectoral circularity and frugal innovation. Success lies in delivering a pragmatic, multi-sector framework that operationalizes craft-based frugal principles across built heritage, gastronomy, and industrial design through tangible living labs and transferable toolkits. Crucially, proposals must align with the New European Bauhaus and Circular Cities agendas while establishing robust, user-validated circular business and governance models.
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 | |||
| SC1Focus 1. Crafts-led innovation for circular economy: Develop a framework integrating circular economy and frugal innovation principles derived from craft practices, applicable and adaptable across various industries and sectors, including models for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge transfer among craft practitioners, designers, researchers, and industry professionals. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Focus 2. Evaluating adaptive reuse of built cultural heritage: Develop methodologies to evaluate the economic, social and environmental benefits of maintaining and reusing built heritage, establish criteria and indicators for assessing cultural heritage’s contribution to circular city objectives, and explore evaluation tools for innovative circular financing, business and governance models. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3Focus 3. Food heritage and gastronomic innovation for circular futures: Develop a framework to integrate circular economy principles into gastronomy and food heritage and devise transferable methodologies linking food-related creativity with sustainable practices. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4Focus 4. Designing circularity - creative pathways and open innovation: Develop a comprehensive framework for integrating circular economy principles into design processes across cultural and creative industries, guiding designers to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency, supported by a collaborative environment to share practices and transfer solutions across industries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1The cultural dimension of circular economy is better understood. Cultural factors and the potential of cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) are leveraged to foster circular economy in the EU | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Scalable, sustainable and inclusive business models are developed with users and stakeholders, leveraging circular practices from CCSI for economic and environmental benefits (e.g. nature protection, reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency, promoting sustainable consumption and re-use patterns). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO3Circular solution toolkit: A practical toolkit enables businesses in various sectors to apply CCSI-inspired frugal innovation principles, promoting circularity, sustainability and inclusion. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO4Evidence-based recommendations and guidelines are available to policymakers to support the transition towards circular practices in CCSI and across other industries and to integrate frugal innovation in circular economy strategies. They emphasize local adaptations of global strategies, allowing for customized approaches that respect and enhance local cultures, heritage and economies. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO5Skills Enhancement: Training modules on frugal innovation, circular design, and circular economy practices inspired by crafts, local heritage and other CCSI are available to professionals in various industries. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1FAIR data complianceParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of actions under this Destination is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Leverage EOSC, ESFRI research infrastructures, and European Data SpacesWhere appropriate, actions should leverage the data and services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) or included in ESFRI and the ESFRI roadmap, as well as data from relevant European Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Integration with the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH)Projects that produce data or digital tools of potential interest to cultural heritage institutions or researchers should, as appropriate, establish links to and/or consider integrating their results in the European Collaborative Cloud for Cultural Heritage (ECCCH). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Synergies with EIT KIC Culture and CreativityThe 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 be considered by applicants. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5International cooperation encouragedTo maximise the impacts of R&I under this Destination in line with EU priorities, international cooperation is encouraged whenever relevant in the proposed topics. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Engagement with UNESCO Creative CitiesProposals may consider UNESCO Creative Cities, in particular the City of Crafts and Folk Arts (under Focus 1) and the City of Gastronomy (under Focus 3). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Cross-sectoral collaboration and participatory engagementProposals should establish models for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge transfer among craft practitioners, designers, researchers, and industry professionals, and implement participatory planning involving local communities and stakeholders. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1The 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. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| 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 efforts to imagine and build a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically enriching. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu circular cities and regions initiativeThe Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is an EU scheme supporting the local and regional implementation of circular economy action plans. It facilitates collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance to demonstrate circular systemic solutions across European territories. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3council conclusions of 21 may 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable europe (2014/c 183/08)These Council conclusions recognize cultural heritage as a shared resource and common good that brings substantial social, environmental, and economic value. They urge Member States and the Commission to mainstream heritage across EU policies and capitalize on its potential to drive sustainable development. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4council of europe framework convention on the value of cultural heritage for society (cets 199)Also known as the Faro Convention, this treaty emphasizes the social and democratic value of cultural heritage, defining rights relating to cultural heritage and the concept of heritage communities. It advocates for public participation and placing human rights and active citizenship at the center of heritage management. | · | · | 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.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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.
The call explicitly mandates that projects must contribute to all five expected outcomes. A proposal cannot selectively focus on the circular toolkit while ignoring the policy recommendations or the professional training modules. Missing any of these five dimensions will directly penalize the Impact score.
Source: Scope / Expected Outcomes
Because this is a Lump Sum grant, evaluators are explicitly instructed to scrutinize the feasibility of your work packages and milestones. You must design your proposal architecture so that mandatory outputs—specifically the circular solution toolkit and training modules—are tied to clearly verifiable deliverables, as this dictates the financial payment structure.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
To score highly on methodology, your consortium cannot be limited to academic researchers and cultural institutions. Evaluators will prioritize transdisciplinary co-creation structures that actively integrate craftspeople, creative designers, heritage managers, and industrial or municipal actors.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
If your proposal addresses Focus 2 (adaptive reuse of built heritage), you must deploy robust multidimensional assessment frameworks covering economic, environmental, and social metrics. Evaluators are explicitly instructed to penalize proposals that rely on vague qualitative assertions regarding heritage valuation.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
The call offers four distinct thematic focuses (Crafts, Built Heritage, Gastronomy, Design) and permits addressing one or more of them. Selecting a single focus allows for deep, targeted impact within the €3.5M budget, whereas combining multiple focuses requires a highly cohesive integration strategy to avoid fragmenting resources.
Source: Scope
Specific requirements
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS. Other sources may be added but not substitute EU infrastructures.
Civil applications only
Horizon Europe funds exclusively civil applications. Research with exclusive military or dual-use application is excluded.
Gender Equality Plan
Having a Gender Equality Plan (GEP) is an eligibility criterion for public bodies, research organisations, and higher education institutions from Member States and Associated Countries.
Open Science
Mandatory open access to peer-reviewed scientific publications and responsible management of research data (FAIR principles, DMP required).
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As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The granting authority may, up to 4 years after the end of the action, object to a transfer of ownership or to the exclusive licensing of results, as set out in the specific provision of Annex 5.
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) [[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]].
In addition, as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Call-specific instructions
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators under Cluster 2 will scrutinize how effectively the proposal bridges the gap between traditional craft wisdom and high-impact industrial or urban application. They will prioritize:
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
Focus 1. Crafts-led innovation for circular economy: Develop a framework integrating circular economy and frugal innovation principles derived from craft practices, applicable and adaptable across various industries and sectors, including models for cross-sector collaboration and knowledge transfer among craft practitioners, designers, researchers, and industry professionals.
Focus 2. Evaluating adaptive reuse of built cultural heritage: Develop methodologies to evaluate the economic, social and environmental benefits of maintaining and reusing built heritage, establish criteria and indicators for assessing cultural heritage’s contribution to circular city objectives, and explore evaluation tools for innovative circular financing, business and governance models.
Focus 3. Food heritage and gastronomic innovation for circular futures: Develop a framework to integrate circular economy principles into gastronomy and food heritage and devise transferable methodologies linking food-related creativity with sustainable practices.
Focus 4. Designing circularity - creative pathways and open innovation: Develop a comprehensive framework for integrating circular economy principles into design processes across cultural and creative industries, guiding designers to minimise waste and maximise resource efficiency, supported by a collaborative environment to share practices and transfer solutions across industries.
The cultural dimension of circular economy is better understood. Cultural factors and the potential of cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) are leveraged to foster circular economy in the EU
Scalable, sustainable and inclusive business models are developed with users and stakeholders, leveraging circular practices from CCSI for economic and environmental benefits (e.g. nature protection, reducing waste, increasing resource efficiency, promoting sustainable consumption and re-use patterns).
Circular solution toolkit: A practical toolkit enables businesses in various sectors to apply CCSI-inspired frugal innovation principles, promoting circularity, sustainability and inclusion.
Evidence-based recommendations and guidelines are available to policymakers to support the transition towards circular practices in CCSI and across other industries and to integrate frugal innovation in circular economy strategies. They emphasize local adaptations of global strategies, allowing for customized approaches that respect and enhance local cultures, heritage and economies.
Skills Enhancement: Training modules on frugal innovation, circular design, and circular economy practices inspired by crafts, local heritage and other CCSI are available to professionals in various industries.
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.
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 efforts to imagine and build a future that is sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetically enriching.
Evaluators expect projects to integrate the core NEB values—sustainability, aesthetics, and inclusion—by combining circular design, cultural heritage, and local community co-creation approaches.
EU Circular Cities and Regions Initiative
highThe Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is an EU scheme supporting the local and regional implementation of circular economy action plans. It facilitates collaboration, knowledge sharing, and technical assistance to demonstrate circular systemic solutions across European territories.
Evaluators expect proposals to link circular economic practices and craft-based value chains directly to territorial circular roadmaps or regional development schemes promoted under CCRI.
Council conclusions of 21 May 2014 on cultural heritage as a strategic resource for a sustainable Europe (2014/C 183/08)
highThese Council conclusions recognize cultural heritage as a shared resource and common good that brings substantial social, environmental, and economic value. They urge Member States and the Commission to mainstream heritage across EU policies and capitalize on its potential to drive sustainable development.
Evaluators expect proposals to show how traditional craftsmanship, heritage skills, and cultural assets serve as drivers for regenerative, circular economic models rather than merely static preservation objects.
Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society (CETS 199)
highAlso known as the Faro Convention, this treaty emphasizes the social and democratic value of cultural heritage, defining rights relating to cultural heritage and the concept of heritage communities. It advocates for public participation and placing human rights and active citizenship at the center of heritage management.
Evaluators look for participatory approaches involving local craft practitioners and communities, demonstrating how cultural heritage empowerment fosters social cohesion and circular lifestyles.
New European Innovation Agenda
mediumAdopted in 2022, the New European Innovation Agenda aims to position Europe at the forefront of the new wave of deep-tech innovation and start-ups. It focuses on improving access to finance, enabling innovation through regulatory sandboxes and test beds, creating innovation ecosystems, and attracting tech talent.
Evaluators expect proposals to outline concrete pathways for scaling deep-tech solutions, fostering regional innovation valleys, or bridging traditional sectors with breakthrough technological and business model innovations.
Built4People Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA)
mediumThe Built4People partnership under Horizon Europe sets out an innovation agenda to achieve a people-centric, sustainable, and circular built environment. It targets whole-life carbon neutrality, energy efficiency, circularity of construction materials, and the high quality of architectural heritage.
Evaluators expect proposals to align with Built4People priorities, demonstrating how circular crafts, heritage conservation, and bio-based or recycled building materials contribute to sustainable transformation of the built environment.
Urban Agenda for the EU
mediumThe Urban Agenda for the EU is an initiative designed to promote sustainable urban development by involving cities in the design and implementation of EU policies. It addresses key urban challenges through a multi-level governance approach, fostering partnerships between cities, Member States, the European Commission, and other stakeholders to develop and implement Action Plans across various priority themes like housing, air quality, and circular economy.
Proposals should demonstrate how they contribute to addressing urban challenges, align with the priority themes of the Urban Agenda, or support the implementation of its Action Plans. Evaluators will look for evidence of engagement with urban stakeholders, innovative solutions for sustainable urban development, or contributions to improved urban governance and quality of life in cities.
Culture Compass for Europe
mediumThe Culture Compass for Europe is a strategic framework developed by the European Commission to guide EU action in the cultural sector. It aims to foster a more coherent and impactful approach to culture, addressing key challenges and opportunities. It typically outlines priorities such as promoting cultural diversity, strengthening the cultural and creative sectors, fostering cultural participation, and leveraging culture for external relations.
Proposals should demonstrate how they align with the strategic directions and priorities outlined in the Culture Compass, particularly regarding the role of culture in societal development, innovation, and European identity. Evaluators will look for projects that contribute to the overarching goals of strengthening the cultural and creative sectors, enhancing cultural participation, and promoting European values through culture.
UN Sustainable Development Goals
mediumThe UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a 'blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.' Adopted by all UN Member States in 2015, they address global challenges including poverty, inequality, climate change, environmental degradation, peace, and justice.
Proposals should clearly articulate which specific SDGs their project contributes to and how. This involves demonstrating a tangible impact on sustainable development, whether through environmental, social, or economic dimensions, and aligning with the EU's commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
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