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Strategic Analysis
A winning proposal must frame access to nature-positive green and blue infrastructure not merely as an ecological amenity, but as a core vehicle for social justice, structural inequality reduction, and mental health equity in peri-urban environments. The core winning angle lies in operationalizing non-market economic valuation and intersectional spatial modeling into concrete, co-designed urban planning instruments validated across diverse socio-geographical pilot contexts.
TRL 2 → 6
Based on programme defaults
The community-level impacts of initiatives aiming to introduce green and/or blue spaces and an understanding of how intentional design and planning can help improve societal outcomes throughout the community, with special attention to how socially vulnerable groups may be impacted, which types of natural spaces are used for which activities and what distance constitutes 'accessible' or sufficient to promote social contact. When considering the notion of access to quality green and blue spaces, researchers should consider not only the physical distance to these spaces, but other barriers such as the state of desolation of public green and/or blue spaces, privatisation, as well as cultural, social, economic barriers to access nature.
Knowledge gaps around the long-term impacts of lack of access to quality green and/or blue spaces, and how this amplifies existing socioeconomic inequalities, in particular the intersection with other determining factors of sociopsychological and mental wellbeing such as age, education, employment, housing, health, mobility and socioeconomic status, including aspects around ease of access, affordability and capacity to empower communities, particularly among vulnerable groups (such as marginalised urban communities, including migrants and informal settlements).
The role that community-based projects – for example those aimed at social participation and inclusion, environmental preservation, circular economy and food security, and preserving natural heritage (e.g., urban gardening, traditional ecological knowledge practices, rewilding, nature conservation, nature-based solutions and citizen science) – play in strengthening community agency, identity, place attachment, and sociopsychological, mental and material well-being and social capital.
The role of green and/or blue spaces in the mitigation of inequalities in pollution exposure, a source of concern in many disadvantaged communities.
The potential contributions of local businesses and social economy actors to the implementation of green and/or blue spaces, as well as the meaningful participation of individuals, representing different economic/labour sectors and collective identities within the community.
The contribution of nature to place-making and the ways in which approaches from the arts and humanities can contribute to how we understand place, and shape future places, in concert with local communities.
Policymakers and civil society organisations will have robust evidence on whether inclusive management of (peri-)urban environmental commons fosters climate and societal resilience, social inclusion, wellbeing and community participation, and whether lack of access to biodiverse green and/or blue spaces exacerbates existing social inequalities (e.g. poverty, marginalisation, and low community wellbeing among vulnerable groups) and people’s sense of inequality and insecurity.
Development of strategies and innovative solutions to quantify and integrate the distributional aspects of access to quality green and/or blue spaces into integrated spatial planning, accounting for non-market values when making decisions about long-term land use and (peri-) urban development with the aim of supporting nature restoration/preservation in the face of competing pressures and on-going change both in Europe and outside, while achieving a fair and equitable relationship between social groups and the environment.
Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability
Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively
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 Skills (including envisaged initiatives on skills portability and the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, the Pact for Skills and the Skills Agenda)
the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan
The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including: the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities); the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card
The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence
EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025
The Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030
The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
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 new Pact for European Social Dialogue and the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU.
The European Child Guarantee
The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income
The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health
The new Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and legislation.
EU Nature Restoration Regulation
highThe EU Nature Restoration Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1991) establishes legally binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems across Europe, including specific obligations for urban ecosystems to prevent net loss and increase green urban spaces.
Evaluators expect proposals to align urban and peri-urban greening interventions with the regulation's specific targets on expanding canopy cover and urban green space, demonstrating measurable ecological quality alongside social benefits.
EU Urban Agenda
highThe Urban Agenda for the EU (Pact of Amsterdam) facilitates multi-level cooperation among Member States, cities, and the Commission to stimulate growth, liveability, and innovation in urban areas through thematic partnerships.
Evaluators look for proposals that engage municipal authorities and integrate Urban Agenda thematic priorities, particularly concerning the sustainable use of land, nature-based solutions, and urban poverty alleviation.
Green City Accord
highThe Green City Accord is a European initiative mobilizing mayors and local governments to commit to achieving cleaner, healthier, and more biodiverse urban environments by 2030 across five key environmental domains including nature and biodiversity.
Evaluators expect proposals to connect local nature-positive initiatives with signatory cities' monitoring commitments, showing how community access to green spaces supports local environmental benchmarks.
European Pillar of Social Rights
highThe European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles to ensure fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems, emphasizing equal opportunities, social inclusion, and access to essential services.
Evaluators expect explicit frameworks linking equitable access to nature-positive environments with reduced social inequalities, health equity, and enhanced social cohesion for disadvantaged groups.
Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030
highThe Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 aims to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. It focuses on accessibility, independent living, non-discrimination, and equal access to democratic processes, employment, and education.
Evaluators look for universal design and accessibility protocols in nature-positive urban infrastructures, ensuring physical and sensory barriers are eliminated for persons with disabilities.
European Child Guarantee
highCouncil Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 establishing the European Child Guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing children in need effective access to key services, including healthy environments, leisure, and recreational activities.
Evaluators expect clear evidence of how nature-positive spaces provide safe, accessible, and stimulating play and developmental opportunities for children living in poverty or disadvantaged urban areas.
United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
mediumThe UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international legal treaty ratified by the EU that protects the human rights and fundamental freedoms of persons with disabilities, mandating equal accessibility to public physical environments and facilities.
Evaluators expect compliance with UNCRPD Article 9 principles, demonstrating co-creation methodologies that ensure public urban green spaces and recreational areas are fully barrier-free and inclusive.
European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882)
mediumDirective (EU) 2019/882 establishes harmonised accessibility requirements for key products and services across the EU, setting common technical standards that facilitate inclusion for persons with disabilities and the elderly.
Evaluators expect proposals integrating digital or interactive navigation tools and public informational interfaces for urban nature sites to comply fully with EU accessibility standards.
Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025
mediumThe Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 frames the Commission's work toward a Union of Equality, targeting gender-based violence, systemic gender stereotypes, and unequal access to public spaces and resources.
Evaluators expect gender-disaggregated analysis and gender-sensitive urban planning approaches, ensuring that nature-positive spaces address safety, usability, and specific needs across genders.
EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025
mediumThe EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025 sets out measures to combat individual and structural racism, addressing discrimination in access to public infrastructure, housing, and urban environments.
Evaluators look for active strategies to avoid green gentrification and to dismantle spatial segregation, ensuring racial and ethnic minority communities gain equitable access to high-quality green spaces.
Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030
mediumThis framework establishes a comprehensive 10-year plan to promote equality, socio-economic inclusion, and political participation for Roma communities across the EU, with quantitative targets for reducing poverty, education gaps, and housing segregation.
Evaluators look for targeted approaches that engage marginalized Roma communities directly, incorporating community co-design and measurable contributions toward overcoming structural discrimination.
LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025
mediumThe LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 aims to build an inclusive Union by addressing discrimination, ensuring safety, and fostering inclusive public spaces for all sexual orientations and gender identities.
Evaluators expect consideration of spatial safety, visibility, and inclusive community co-design in public green spaces, ensuring they serve as safe, welcoming shared environments for LGBTIQ communities.
Pact on Asylum and Migration
mediumThe New Pact on Asylum and Migration creates a comprehensive EU framework for asylum management, border governance, and sustainable integration policies for migrants and refugees into local communities.
Evaluators look for proposals that examine how shared access to nature and community green spaces can facilitate local integration, social interaction, and mental well-being for migrants and refugees.
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 in Cluster 2 will critically check whether the proposal genuinely integrates social sciences and humanities (SSH) with spatial and environmental data, avoiding purely technical nature-based solutions. They will strictly assess whether both mandatory outcomes (@EO1 and @EO2) are comprehensively addressed, particularly the development of actionable spatial planning frameworks that account for distributional justice and invisible barriers (e.g., green gentrification, desolation, administrative or cultural exclusion). In addition, given the lump-sum funding model, evaluators will scrutinize the clarity, feasibility, and output-oriented definition of work packages, milestones, and deliverable metrics.
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 | |||
| SC1The community-level impacts of initiatives aiming to introduce green and/or blue spaces and an understanding of how intentional design and planning can help improve societal outcomes throughout the community, with special attention to how socially vulnerable groups may be impacted, which types of natural spaces are used for which activities and what distance constitutes 'accessible' or sufficient to promote social contact. When considering the notion of access to quality green and blue spaces, researchers should consider not only the physical distance to these spaces, but other barriers such as the state of desolation of public green and/or blue spaces, privatisation, as well as cultural, social, economic barriers to access nature. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC2Knowledge gaps around the long-term impacts of lack of access to quality green and/or blue spaces, and how this amplifies existing socioeconomic inequalities, in particular the intersection with other determining factors of sociopsychological and mental wellbeing such as age, education, employment, housing, health, mobility and socioeconomic status, including aspects around ease of access, affordability and capacity to empower communities, particularly among vulnerable groups (such as marginalised urban communities, including migrants and informal settlements). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC3The role that community-based projects – for example those aimed at social participation and inclusion, environmental preservation, circular economy and food security, and preserving natural heritage (e.g., urban gardening, traditional ecological knowledge practices, rewilding, nature conservation, nature-based solutions and citizen science) – play in strengthening community agency, identity, place attachment, and sociopsychological, mental and material well-being and social capital. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC4The role of green and/or blue spaces in the mitigation of inequalities in pollution exposure, a source of concern in many disadvantaged communities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC5The potential contributions of local businesses and social economy actors to the implementation of green and/or blue spaces, as well as the meaningful participation of individuals, representing different economic/labour sectors and collective identities within the community. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| SC6The contribution of nature to place-making and the ways in which approaches from the arts and humanities can contribute to how we understand place, and shape future places, in concert with local communities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1Policymakers and civil society organisations will have robust evidence on whether inclusive management of (peri-)urban environmental commons fosters climate and societal resilience, social inclusion, wellbeing and community participation, and whether lack of access to biodiverse green and/or blue spaces exacerbates existing social inequalities (e.g. poverty, marginalisation, and low community wellbeing among vulnerable groups) and people’s sense of inequality and insecurity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2Development of strategies and innovative solutions to quantify and integrate the distributional aspects of access to quality green and/or blue spaces into integrated spatial planning, accounting for non-market values when making decisions about long-term land use and (peri-) urban development with the aim of supporting nature restoration/preservation in the face of competing pressures and on-going change both in Europe and outside, while achieving a fair and equitable relationship between social groups and the environment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Gender-sensitive and intersectional research approachProposals are expected to adopt a gender-sensitive and intersectional approach to analyse differential access to nature-positive environments across population groups, paying particular attention to structural and systemic drivers. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Interdisciplinary approaches integrating SSH disciplinesInterdisciplinary approaches (including from SSH disciplines), combining insights from sociology, anthropology, law, environmental philosophy, and systems science, are encouraged. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Clustering and cooperation with selected EU projectsClustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this and past calls are strongly encouraged, particularly HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-06, HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-1, and New European Bauhaus topics HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-03 and HORIZON-MISS-2027-07-CLIMA-CIT-NEB-01. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Participation by entities from Green City Accord signatory citiesParticipation by entities from cities that are signatories of the Green City Accord is encouraged. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Involvement of civil society organisationsProposals should engage civil society organisations in the development of their actions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ6Synergies with European Partnership on Social Transformations and ResilienceThe destination highlights alignment with the European Partnership on Social Transformations and Resilience focused on SSH to foster resilience, fairness, inclusiveness, and social cohesion. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ7Engagement with European Research Infrastructures, EOSC, and Data SpacesApplicants are encouraged to consider services offered by EU-funded European Research Infrastructures (particularly in the SSH domain, e.g., CESSDA) and leverage data and services federated under EOSC as well as relevant Data Spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ8FAIR data complianceParticular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this research is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Re-usable). | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ9International cooperation encouraged whenever relevantTo 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 |
| REQ10Engagement of multi-sector stakeholders and social partnersDestination activities should engage a vast array of stakeholders beyond universities and research centres, including social partners (trade unions and business organizations), civil society organizations, practitioners, VET providers, and SMEs. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Boosting inclusive growth and reducing vulnerabilities effectively | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3The 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) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4the European Education Area and its EU-level 2030 targets | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI5The Union of Skills (including envisaged initiatives on skills portability and the European Strategy for Vocational Education and Training, the Pact for Skills and the Skills Agenda) | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI6the first-ever EU Anti-Poverty Strategy and the European Affordable Housing Plan | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI7The Union of Equality policies and strategies, including: the Strategy for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities 2021-2030 (in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities); the European Accessibility Act (Directive 2019/882), and the European Disability Card | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI8The Gender Equality Strategy 2020 – 2025 and the Directive combating violence against women and domestic violence | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI9EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI10The Strategic EU Framework for Roma Equality, Inclusion and Participation 2020-2030 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI11The LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI12The Communication on Demographic change in Europe: a toolbox for action | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI13The 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 | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI14The new Pact for European Social Dialogue and the Council Recommendation on strengthening social dialogue in the EU. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI15The European Child Guarantee | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI16The Council Recommendation on adequate minimum income | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI17The Commission Communication on a comprehensive approach to mental health | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI18The new Pact on Asylum and Migration and its accompanying actions, initiatives and legislation. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1eu nature restoration regulationThe EU Nature Restoration Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2024/1991) establishes legally binding targets to restore degraded ecosystems across Europe, including specific obligations for urban ecosystems to prevent net loss and increase green urban spaces. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu urban agendaThe Urban Agenda for the EU (Pact of Amsterdam) facilitates multi-level cooperation among Member States, cities, and the Commission to stimulate growth, liveability, and innovation in urban areas through thematic partnerships. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3green city accordThe Green City Accord is a European initiative mobilizing mayors and local governments to commit to achieving cleaner, healthier, and more biodiverse urban environments by 2030 across five key environmental domains including nature and biodiversity. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4european pillar of social rightsThe European Pillar of Social Rights sets out 20 key principles to ensure fair and well-functioning labour markets and welfare systems, emphasizing equal opportunities, social inclusion, and access to essential services. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030The Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030 aims to ensure full participation of persons with disabilities in society on an equal basis with others. It focuses on accessibility, independent living, non-discrimination, and equal access to democratic processes, employment, and education. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL6european child guaranteeCouncil Recommendation (EU) 2021/1004 establishing the European Child Guarantee aims to prevent and combat social exclusion by guaranteeing children in need effective access to key services, including healthy environments, leisure, and recreational activities. | · | · | 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).
4 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.
Evaluators are explicitly instructed to penalize proposals that present purely technical nature-based solutions. A successful proposal must genuinely integrate social sciences and humanities (SSH) with spatial and environmental data to address invisible barriers like green gentrification and cultural exclusion, ensuring both mandatory outcomes are fully met.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
A proposal must actively engage civil society organisations in action development, as this is a strict requirement. Furthermore, including municipal entities from cities that are signatories of the Green City Accord will directly align with the call's targeted policy impact and provide the necessary socio-geographical pilot contexts.
Source: Scope
Because this call uses a lump-sum funding model, evaluators will rigorously scrutinize work packages, milestones, and deliverable metrics for output-oriented clarity. Payment milestones must be tied to concrete, verifiable outputs like the co-designed urban planning instruments, rather than vague research activities.
Source: Evaluation criteria (pre-award)
A winning proposal cannot merely treat access to nature as an ecological amenity. It must operationalize non-market economic valuation and intersectional spatial modeling into concrete urban planning instruments, explicitly adopting a gender-sensitive approach to analyze differential access across vulnerable population groups.
Source: Overview
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