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Horizon Europe
2 upcoming cut-offs
Strategic Analysis
To win this highly competitive two-stage RIA, the proposal must present a disruptive yet highly actionable framework that bridges civic tech innovations with institutional policy-making. The core strategy lies in demonstrating how @OBJ01 and @OBJ03 will directly operationalize the European Democracy Shield by engaging @TG03 and @TG02 in structured, JRC-aligned deliberative processes, while strictly adhering to the blind evaluation rules of Stage 1.
Address existing, upcoming or unforeseen challenges and/or creative or disruptive solutions for protecting European democracy, enhancing citizens’ trust and political participation, expanding inclusiveness and fairness of democratic institutions and practices and supporting and protecting civil society.
Investigate the opportunities offered by digital and other new technological solutions, notably from the civic tech sector.
Address unmet research needs, complementing previous Horizon Europe calls, considering and building on previous research without duplicating it.
Envisage coordination among the successful proposals from this topic to avoid duplication and to exploit complementarities as well as opportunities for increased impact.
Ensure effective interdisciplinary collaborations by building consortia with the participation of all relevant disciplines.
Adopt innovative approaches, including considering alternative and complementary models for democratic participation and engagement, facilitating the development and potential uptake of solutions.
Plan a mid-term deliverable consisting in the assessment of the project’s mid-term contributions to the expected outcomes, performed by the democracy practitioners and policy-makers.
Directly engage citizens, as well as civil society organisations, to enable broader public debate and explore uptake of democratic innovations and better anticipate potential risks.
Collaborate with the JRC Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy, particularly with respect to demonstrating how structured opportunities for citizen participation strengthen inclusiveness and fairness of democratic institutions and practices.
Leverage the data and services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), as well as data from relevant Data Spaces, ensuring data is FAIR.
EU institutions and national decision-makers, civil society organisations and other societal actors and citizens at large are better equipped, with new data, knowledge and methods, to confront threats and challenges of democracies as well as to enhance their inclusiveness and participatory elan.
Strengthened citizens’ long-lasting engagement in the democratic life, including but going beyond electoral processes, and increased trust in democratic institutions.
Reinvigorating democratic governance by improving the independence, accountability, transparency, effectiveness and trustworthiness of institutions and policies based on rule of law, and through the expansion of active and inclusive citizens’ participation and engagement empowered by the safeguarding of fundamental rights.
European Democracy Shield
highThe European Democracy Shield is a major initiative announced by the European Commission to protect the EU's democratic systems from foreign interference, disinformation, and cyber threats. It focuses on strengthening societal resilience, securing electoral infrastructure, and fostering coordination among member states against hybrid threats.
Evaluators expect proposals to outline concrete methodologies for detecting and countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI). Projects should demonstrate how they will build societal resilience, support independent media, and propose actionable policy recommendations or technological tools to secure democratic processes.
European Democracy Action Plan
highThe European Democracy Action Plan (EDAP), adopted in 2020, aims to empower citizens and build more resilient democracies across the EU. It focuses on three main pillars: promoting free and fair elections, strengthening media freedom and pluralism, and countering disinformation.
Proposals must align with EDAP's pillars by demonstrating how research will support electoral integrity, protect journalists, or develop innovative tools to combat disinformation. Evaluators look for clear pathways to policy impact, particularly in strengthening civic engagement and media literacy.
Defence of Democracy Package
highThe Defence of Democracy Package, introduced in late 2023, aims to protect the EU democratic sphere from covert foreign influence. It includes legislative proposals for common transparency standards for interest representation on behalf of third countries, alongside recommendations on secure elections and civic participation.
Evaluators look for proposals that address foreign interference and transparency in lobbying and interest representation. Research should explore how to balance security and transparency measures with the protection of civic space and fundamental rights within the EU.
Civil Society Strategy
mediumThe Civil Society Strategy (often linked to the Charter of Fundamental Rights and the Citizenship Report) focuses on protecting, supporting, and empowering civil society organizations (CSOs) across the EU. It aims to secure a safe and enabling environment for civic space, ensuring CSOs can participate effectively in democratic policymaking.
Evaluators expect proposals to actively involve civil society organizations in co-creation and research activities. Projects should analyze threats to civic space (such as legal, financial, or physical barriers) and propose mechanisms to strengthen CSO resilience and participation in democratic governance.
Strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021-2030
mediumThe 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 explicit methodologies ensuring that democratic innovations, digital participation tools, and civic engagement platforms are fully accessible. Proposals should address barriers to political participation (such as voting accessibility) faced by persons with disabilities.
United Nations Convention on the rights of persons with disabilities
mediumThe United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) is an international human rights treaty designed to protect the rights and dignity of persons with disabilities. The EU and all its member states are parties to the convention, which mandates accessibility, equality, and full inclusion in political and public life.
Proposals must demonstrate compliance with UNCRPD principles, particularly Article 29 on participation in political and public life. Evaluators expect to see co-design approaches involving disabled persons' organizations (DPOs) to ensure research and democratic tools are inclusive by design.
LGBTIQ equality strategy
mediumThe LGBTIQ Equality Strategy 2020-2025 is the European Commission's first-ever strategy dedicated to addressing the inequalities and challenges faced by LGBTIQ people. It focuses on fighting discrimination, ensuring safety, building inclusive societies, and leading the call for LGBTIQ equality globally.
Evaluators expect proposals to address how democratic backsliding and disinformation campaigns disproportionately target LGBTIQ communities. Research should explore inclusive democratic practices that protect and amplify marginalized voices, ensuring safe spaces for political participation.
anti-racism strategy
mediumThe EU Anti-racism Action Plan 2020-2025 sets out a series of measures to combat racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and related intolerance. It emphasizes mainstreaming racial equality in all EU policies, improving law enforcement, and strengthening national action plans.
Evaluators look for proposals that analyze systemic racism and bias within democratic institutions and public discourse. Projects should demonstrate how they will foster inclusive civic participation, counter hate speech, and ensure racialized minorities are actively engaged in democratic renewal.
gender equality strategy
mediumThe Gender Equality Strategy 2020-2025 outlines the European Commission's work towards a Union of Equality where women and men, girls and boys, in all their diversity, are free to pursue their chosen path. Key objectives include ending gender-based violence, challenging gender stereotypes, and closing gender gaps in decision-making and politics.
Evaluators expect a robust gender dimension integrated into the research methodology. Proposals should address gender imbalances in political representation, analyze gender-targeted disinformation/online harassment, and propose solutions to foster equal participation in democratic processes.
roadmap for women’s rights
mediumThe Roadmap for Women's Rights (often aligned with the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action and EU gender frameworks) focuses on accelerating progress toward gender equality and women's empowerment. It emphasizes securing fundamental rights, economic independence, and equal representation in leadership and democratic institutions.
Evaluators look for proposals that explicitly address structural barriers to women's political leadership and civic engagement. Research should incorporate intersectional gender analyses to understand how multiple forms of discrimination impact women's participation in democratic life.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
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Applicants submitting a proposal for a blind evaluation (see General Annex F) must not disclose their organisation names, acronyms, logos nor names of personnel in the proposal abstract and Part B of their first-stage application (see General Annex E).
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.
The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner. The JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal - see General Annex B.
In order to achieve the expected outcomes, consortia must include, as beneficiaries or affiliated entities, (i) at least one relevant public body with a policy-making role; and (ii) at least one relevant civil society organisation.
In addition, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
The first-stage proposals of this topic will be evaluated blindly.
In addition, 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.
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]].
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.
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 Stage 1 BLIND)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1 BLIND)
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 will immediately look for compliance with the mandatory consortium requirements: the explicit inclusion of at least one public policy-making body (@TG01) and one civil society organization (@TG02) as beneficiaries. They will prioritize proposals that offer a concrete, non-duplicative methodology for collaborating with the JRC Competence Centre (@SC9) and present a clear plan for a mid-term assessment deliverable (@SC7) that directly influences the project's second-half trajectory.
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.
A proposal that fails to explicitly include at least one public body with a policy-making role and one civil society organisation as beneficiaries or affiliated entities will be rejected at the eligibility check. Evaluators will immediately screen for these mandatory consortium members before any scoring occurs.
Source: Eligibility rules
Because Stage 1 undergoes a strict blind evaluation, applicants must completely anonymize their pre-proposal. Including organization names, acronyms, logos, or personnel names in the abstract or Part B will result in immediate admissibility failure, regardless of the scientific excellence of the proposed democratic innovations.
Source: Eligibility rules
The work plan must feature a specific mid-term assessment deliverable evaluating the project's contributions to expected outcomes, conducted directly by democracy practitioners and policy-makers. Because this is a lump sum grant, structuring this assessment as a major work package milestone is critical for both evaluator scoring and unlocking the subsequent payment installment.
Source: Scope
Proposals must outline a concrete, non-duplicative methodology for collaborating with the JRC Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy. While the JRC cannot participate in proposal preparation, evaluators will actively prioritize applications that demonstrate exactly how this collaboration will shape the project's second-half trajectory.
Source: Evaluation_pre_award
The AI has drafted potential core elements based on the call analysis. To start building your project proposal structure, select the elements that resonate with your consortium's concept. You can refine and rewrite them fully once your project workspace is created.
Citizens (@TG03) are increasingly alienated from traditional democratic institutions, leading to lower voter turnout, systemic distrust, and vulnerability to foreign interference and disinformation.
While many civic tech tools exist, they are often fragmented, lack interoperability, fail to reach diverse populations (@TG03), and are rarely integrated into formal policy-making structures by @TG01.
Academic insights on democratic resilience are frequently siloed, failing to translate into timely, actionable, and FAIR-compliant data resources that @TG01 and @TG02 can use to counter emerging threats.
Local, national, and EU-level decision-makers who require actionable data, methods, and policy frameworks to shield democratic processes and improve institutional trust.
Non-governmental organizations, advocacy groups, and community organizers working on the frontlines of democratic engagement, human rights, and civic tech deployment.
The general public, with a specific focus on underrepresented, marginalized, or politically alienated cohorts, who will directly participate in deliberative pilots and civic tech testing.
Researchers in political science, sociology, human-computer interaction, and civic tech who will benefit from the open-access FAIR data and interdisciplinary methodologies generated by the project.
Develop, test, and scale innovative digital and hybrid civic tech tools to enhance citizens' (@TG03) active participation in democratic life beyond elections, directly addressing @SC2 and @SC6 to achieve @EO2.
Build an open-access, FAIR-compliant data repository federated under the European Open Science Cloud (@SC10) to equip researchers (@TG04) and decision-makers (@TG01) with new comparative data on democratic threats and resilience, fulfilling @EO1.
Create structured, inclusive deliberative spaces in partnership with the JRC Competence Centre (@SC9) to directly engage diverse citizen cohorts (@TG03) and policy-makers (@TG01) in co-designing policy recommendations, featuring a robust mid-term self-assessment (@SC7).
By scaling inclusive civic tech and deliberative innovations, the project will foster long-term engagement and measurably increase public trust in local and European democratic institutions.
Providing policy-makers with validated co-creation methodologies and comparative datasets will lead to more transparent, accountable, and inclusive institutional practices aligned with the European Democracy Shield.
The development of open-source, secure, and user-friendly civic tech solutions will lower the barrier to entry for local authorities and CSOs seeking to implement digital participatory budgeting or consultation systems.