The CulturEU funding guide : EU funding opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors 2021-2027.
Date: 2022-09-13
Institutions: Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture
Subjects: EU programme, artistic creation, cultural heritage, cultural policy, culture, fund (EU), user guide

The CulturEU 
funding guide

EU Funding Opportunities 
for the Cultural and Creative 
Sectors 2021-2027

Culture

222

The CulturEU funding guide

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The CulturEU 
funding guide

EU Funding Opportunities 
for the Cultural and Creative 
Sectors 2021-2027

Culture

444

The CulturEU funding guide

Contents

Preface by European Commissioner Mariya Gabriel  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 6

1 . How to navigate the guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Type of sector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Type of organisation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

Type of actions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13

Other icons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15

2 . Creative Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16

3 . Erasmus+  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22

4 . European Solidarity Corps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .26

5 . Horizon Europe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30

6 . Digital Europe Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

7 . Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

8 . New European Bauhaus (NEB) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

9 . InvestEU . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

10 . Single Market Programme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

11 . EU funding instrument for the environment and climate action (LIFE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

12 . Cohesion fund (CF) and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) (including Interreg) . . . . . . .58

13 . Just Transition Fund (JTF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

14 . European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

15 . Support to mitigate Unemployment Risks in an Emergency (SURE) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

16 . Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

17 . Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

18 . Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

5

Contents

19 . Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

20 . European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

21 . Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

22 . ACP-EU Culture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

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Preface by European Commissioner 
Mariya Gabriel

Mariya Gabriel 
European Commissioner for 
Innovation, Research, Culture, 
Education and Youth

Dear Reader,

Europe’s rich cultural heritage and dynamic cultural and creative sectors strengthen European 
identity, creating a sense of belonging. Culture and the creative sectors also have the power to 
improve lives, transform communities, generate jobs and growth, and create spill-over effects 
into other sectors. 

This is why I am very pleased to present the CulturEU funding guide - a guide of EU funding 
opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors (CCS). It has been developed to 
support all types and sizes of stakeholders working in the CCS to help them navigate the EU 
funding landscape, to understand which opportunities are available to them, and ultimately to 
help them access EU funding more easily. 

In the CulturEU funding guide, you can find an overview of all EU programmes which are 
relevant for the cultural and creative stakeholders, including key information on who can apply 
and how, as well as the kinds of activities supported. The guide covers opportunities linked to 
the European Commission’s flagship programme Creative Europe, which offered €1.8 
billion of financial support to the sector across 2014-2020 and will provide a further €2.44 
billion of support across 2021-2027. However, and crucially, it summarises the opportunities 
that exist for the CCS across a wide range of other EU programmes and themes, including 
those sometimes overlooked and not immediately linked to the sector. 

Information on a wide spectrum of EU funding programmes with a cultural and creative 
sectors angle, from the environment, to digital Europe and EU Structural Funds are presented. 
The guide also presents a set of inspiring examples of cultural and creative projects 
which received financial support from various EU funding programmes during the previous 
programming period (2014-2020). 

Linked to the CulturEU funding guide, we have developed and launched an interactive 
online tool, which stakeholders can use to automatically filter relevant funding opportunities 
based on their needs, their sector and the type of organisation they represent.

It is the first time that the Commission has developed a user-centred “one-stop-shop” like 
the CulturEU funding guide on EU funding opportunities for the cultural and creative sectors. 
Whether you are a large or smaller organisation, newly formed or established, and whatever 
type of cultural activity you are looking to develop, I truly hope that these tools will make a 
difference in the way you access EU funding, and ultimately to your work.

Mariya Gabriel 
European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth

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Preface

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1 .  How to navigate the guide

The CulturEU funding guide is filled with visual aids to help you easily navigate the EU 
funding landscape and quickly find those opportunities which are most relevant to you. 
Icons are provided to indicate for which sector, type of action and organisation each funding 
programme is likely to be most relevant.

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How to navigate the guide

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Type of sector

The cultural and creative sectors have been divided into 8 
sectors . Each of the 8 sectors is represented by its own icon 
and colour as shown below:

8

Sectors

Architecture 
buildings, public spaces 
and urban landscapes

Artistic crafts 
design, creation, distribution 
and sales of goods that are 
handmade by artisans

Cultural heritage 
natural, built and archaeological 
sites, museums, monuments, 
artworks, historic cities, 
including the knowledge, 
practices and traditions 
of European citizens

Visual arts 
art forms creating works 
that are primarily visual in 
nature, such as ceramics, 
drawing, painting, sculpture, 
printmaking, and photography

Design & fashion 
textiles and clothing, footwear, 
leather sectors, operating at 
the crossroads between the 
arts, business, and technology

Literature, books and 
publishing 
the entire publishing 
value chain, including 
authors, booksellers, 
printers, designers, etc.

Music 
musicians, producers, audio 
engineers, managers, 
teachers, etc.

Performing arts 
forms of creative activity 
performed in front of 
an audience, including 
theatre and dance

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How to navigate the guide

All cultural sectors

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Type of organisation

The type of organisations have been divided into 6 
categories . Each of the 6 organisations is represented  
by its own icon and colour as shown below:

6

Organisations

Educational institution 
primary and secondary 
schools, universities, 
academies, colleges, etc.

NGO, non-profit & civil 
society organisation 
any non-profit, voluntary citizens’ 
group organized on a local, 
national or international level

Private or public cultural 
foundation / institution 
museums, libraries 
and archives, churches, 
art galleries, etc

Private organisation 
a self-employed individual, 
start-up, micro-company, 
SME or a large company

Public service (local, 
regional or national) 
central government, 
federated states and local 
authorities (regions, provinces, 
districts, municipalities)

Social enterprise  
business with specific 
social objectives as its 
primary purpose

All types of  
organisations

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How to navigate the guide

12

Actions

Type of actions

The type of actions supported by the funding programmes have 
been divided into 12 categories. Each of the 12 actions is 
represented by its own icon and colour as shown below:

Artistic creation   
support for cultural actors 
involved in artistic creation 

Audience development  
activities undertaken to 
meet the needs of existing 
and potential audiences, 
to develop on-going 
relationships with audiences 
or to enlarge audiences

Artistic and cultural 
mobility & residency 
support for traditional and new 
mobility forms for cultural and 
creative professionals (including 
also capacity building, new 
employment opportunities)

Developing business & 
management skills 
support to the development of 
hard and soft skills, including 
planning, strategy, budget 
management, leadership, 
communication, etc.

Developing creative & 
technical skills 
improving skills through 
training, experimenting 
and by learning specialized 
knowledge and expertise

Digitalisation & new  
business models 
support for the use of digital 
technologies to change a 
business model and provide 
new revenue and income 

Financing for direct costs 
funds allocated to costs  
directly related to producing 
specific goods or performing 
a specific service 

Financing for scaling up 
raising investment to fund 
the growth of a company

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Internationalisation of 
activity/access to new 
markets  
support for integration to 
global value chains, export 
promotion or trade facilitation

Product, service 
and infrastructural 
development 
support in the process of 
creating and launching a 
new product, service or 
infrastructure, or relaunching 
an existing service, product 
and infrastructure

Networking &  
knowledge sharing 
opportunities to bring together 
individuals and teams in 
order to develop, distribute 
or apply knowledge

Research, development  
& innovation 
activities undertaken to conduct 
scientific research aimed at 
innovating and developing new 
actions, products and services

All types of actions

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How to navigate the guide

Other icons

Total programme budget 
Each programme has 
an indication of the total 
programme budget from 
2021 until 2027.

More information 
Each of the programmes also 
includes a link to the relevant 
EU web page which gives more 
information about the specific 
EU funding programme and 
associated opportunities.

Funding opportunities 
Where relevant, each programme 
also includes a link to the EU’s 
online funding portal, where you 
can browse and directly apply 
for relevant calls for proposals.

Questions/get in touch 
Each programme also 
includes an email address 
and/or contact point at EU or 
national level in the case that 
you have questions or need 
support when submitting an 
application.

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© Pexels, 2021

2 . Creative Europe

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 2.44 billion

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Artistic and cultural 
mobility & residency; 

Artistic creation; 

Audience development; 

Developing business & 
management skills; 

Developing creative &  
technical skills; 

Creative Europe is the EU’s flagship programme providing specific support to the 
cultural and creative sectors. It seeks to develop all cultural sectors in Europe and 
protect Europe’s shared cultural heritage, in particular by providing various funding 
opportunities aimed at co-creation, skills development, network and platform 
building, knowledge-sharing and mobility and distribution and promotion of content.

Actions

The programme includes two main strands, Culture and MEDIA, and it is also 
supported by a cross-sectoral sub-programme:

• 

• 

The Culture sub-programme supports projects that seek to strengthen 
the sector’s capacity to operate transnationally by co-creating, establishing 
networks, platforms for emerging artists and supporting mobility of culture and 
creative professionals as well as the circulation of their works. It also aims to 
create and engage audiences, with a focus on inclusion and diversity, and to 
foster innovative business models and cross-sectoral spill-overs;

The MEDIA sub-programme addresses the needs of the EU film and other 
audiovisual industries, all undergoing digital transformation. Industries include 
theatrical feature films, high quality mini-series, documentaries, videogames 
and other genres. MEDIA offers financial support and help with non-formal 
training of audiovisual professionals, and at all stages of audiovisual work 
production cycle: from development, through production, to distribution and 
promotion, including through access to markets;

Digitalisation & new 
business models; 

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets; 

Networking & knowledge sharing; 

Product, service & 
infrastructural development; 

Research, development  
& innovation.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/
culture/creative-europe

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/crea2027

Questions? Get in touch here!

https://ec.europa.eu/culture/
resources/creative-europe-desks

17

Creative Europe

• 

The cross-sectoral strand of Creative Europe promotes transnational 
policy cooperation and development and supports the setup of a network of 
Creative Europe Desks - a peer-led network that includes 38 national Creative 
Desks, which provide programme-related assistance in each participating 
country. It also supports innovative projects across all creative sectors and 
introduces an action to support independent journalism in news media.

What’s new under Creative Europe?

Creative Europe offers funding opportunities to a wide range of organisations 
working in all cultural sectors. The new Programme is more oriented towards the 
new Commission priorities, therefore focusing on greening, gender equality, social 
inclusion and a stronger international dimension. The Culture sub-programme also 
pays more attention to supporting small and micro-organisations, through the 
introduction of three different types of projects: small scale projects (minimum 
3 organisations from 3 different countries); medium scale projects (minimum 5 
organisations from 5 different countries); and large-scale projects (minimum 10 
organisations from 10 different countries).

“Creatives Unite” is a platform for and by the cultural and creative sectors,  
which has been set up with the help of the Commission and the  
EP Pilot project “FLIP Finance, Learning, Innovation and Patenting for CCIs”  
(https://creativeflip.creativehubs.net/), and is hosted by the European Creative 
Hubs Network (http://creativehubs.net/). It offers a common space for all cultural 
and creative sectors in Europe and beyond to share their initiatives and actions in 
response to the COVID-19 crisis and beyond. 

iPortunus is a mobility scheme aimed at exposing artists to new markets, new 
audiences and new partners, paving the way for new career opportunities and 
professional development.

Keychange and Orfeo and Majnun, are two examples of projects funded under 
the 2014-2020 Creative Europe programme, which can serve as inspiration for 
future applicants.

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

• 

Project applicants need to be legally established and officially registered in 
a participating country of the Creative Europe programme. More 
information on eligible countries can be found here:  
https://ec.europa.eu/culture/resources/creative-europe-desks;

Individuals are not eligible, with the exception of self-employed individuals;

The coordinating organisation must have been legally established for at 
least two years on the date of the deadline for submission of applications;

For cooperation projects, proposals must be submitted by a consortium 
with a of minimum three organisations from three different eligible countries 
(small scale); five organisations from five different eligible countries (medium 
scale); and ten organisations from ten different eligible countries (large scale).

 
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The CulturEU funding guide

More information available at

Featured opportunity!

https://www.i-portunus.eu/

iPortunus / New mobility scheme

and

info@i-portunus.eu

iPortunus was created to expand mobility opportunities and boost international 
collaborations allowing artists and cultural professionals to work, perform and  
co-produce across countries. It caters to the specific needs of participating 
artists and organisations through a bottom-up demand-driven approach, so the 
beneficiaries are able pick which locations and collaborators they are willing to 
explore and develop. 

Who can apply? 

All artists, creators and cultural professionals, as well as host organisations 
 like NGOs, institutions, museums, etc., private or public, from all sectors except  
audio-visual, are eligible as long as they are based in one of the countries 
participating in the Creative Europe programme. 

How to apply? 

The candidate needs to have found a host organisation in another Creative Europe 
country and apply with a project for international collaboration, production oriented 
residency, outreach to new audience/market or professional development. Also, a 
host or hosting organisation can apply requesting to bring in individual artists for 
similar reasons. The end beneficiary is the artist or cultural professional. 

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Creative Europe

Get Inspired! - Keychange

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Music

Dates

2019-2023

Budget

€1 405 100

More Information

https://www.keychange.eu/

Supported by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union, Keychange 
is the second phase of a European talent development programme which is now 
recognised as an international campaign for gender equality in music. It 
stimulates artist development, exchange and innovation by creating new 
international opportunities for performance, creative collaboration and capacity 
building amongst European female musicians and industry professionals. The 
project aims to promote the creative and economic contribution that female 
talent could be making to Europe’s music industry through innovative and 
inclusive actions.

The core action of the project involves an extensive programme of career 
development for women and gender minority artists and industry innovators. 
Showcases, networking, training and “Creative Lab” Capacity Building provide 
three cohorts of 72 women with the chance to access new markets, build 
international profiles and extend their audience in Europe and beyond. The Lab 
provides opportunities for music creators to connect with pioneering artists and 
entrepreneurs from tech, AV and other sectors shaping change and innovation. 

The project also aims to develop a database promoting the skills of the Keychange 
participants to a network of more than 140 international festivals. Moreover, 
a dynamic web platform will offer learning opportunities and webinars to hundreds 
of men and women across Europe who aren’t directly involved in the Keychange 
project. Finally, the project also proposed and promoted a pledge to achieve gender 
balance in festivals, music organisations and companies. The pledge has been 
already signed by over 500 festivals and music companies. 

Left: Keychange © Lidija Delovska 2021

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
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The CulturEU funding guide

Get Inspired! - Orfeo and Majnun

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Music;

Performing arts;

Visual arts.

Dates

2017-2020

Budget

€1 999 868

More Information

https://www.orfeoandmajnun.eu/
orfeo-and-majnun/#project

Orfeo & Majnun (O&M) is an inclusive, intercultural and multilingual music 
theatre project developed with a participatory community-driven approach. 
O&M is characterised by a strong interdisciplinary nature, combining multiple art 
forms and aiming to address different social, cultural and urban challenges. It 
involves communities, professional and citizen artists, as well as groups in risk of 
social exclusion.

Starting from the combination of two ancient myths (the Greek myth of Orfeo 
and Eurydice and the Arab love story of Layla), the project aims to develop and 
present a music theatre piece incorporating an interdisciplinary and participatory 
community-driven approach, by promoting opportunities for a common 
interpretation of the two myths, mutual understanding and cultural transfer. In 
this context, the project plays with the cultural differences and similarities and it 
requires a process of exploration of the different cultures that can be found 
in the two myths.

The project is divided into two parts, the first one is aimed at creating a travelling 
exhibition where citizens can showcase their artistic crafts in the different cities 
of the partner organisations. The second part of the project focuses on a theatre 
and musical performance written from the perspective of Layla and Eurydice, 
and thus combining occidental and oriental music and myths, considered as 
intangible cultural heritage and providing opportunities to bring together people of 
diverse background. The performance features both professional performers and 
musicians as well as non-professionals.

Right: Orfeo and Majnun © Shutterstock

   
   
   
   
   
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Creative Europe

 
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3 . Erasmus+

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 26.2 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Artistic and cultural 
mobility & residency; 

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets; 

Developing creative 
& technical skills; 

Digitalisation & new 
business models;

Erasmus+ is the EU’s flagship programme for education. It addresses both formal 
and non-formal education and training, and also focuses on youth, sport, 
and culture. Erasmus+ promotes lifelong and inclusive learning across Europe, 
therefore contributing to sustainable growth and innovation, social cohesion, and 
active EU citizenship. It provides opportunities for mobility, partnerships, and policy 
dialogue through project funding, often reinforcing cross-sectoral cooperation with a 
specific focus on creativity.

Actions

The programme is organised across three Key Actions (KAs) for individuals and 
organisations from EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme 
and other Partner countries. 

• 

• 

• 

KA1 focuses on mobility projects and virtual exchanges that promote 
individuals’ intercultural dialogue and acquisition of skills, attitudes, and 
competences (including but not limited to language ones);

KA2 places great emphasis on organisational cooperation 
and partnerships, by developing networks, capacity, and boosting 
internationalisation and innovation, as well as vocational and  
educational excellence;

KA3 provides support to policy cooperation at European Union level, 
thereby contributing to the development of new policies, which can trigger 
modernisation and reforms, at European Union, and systems’ level, in the 
fields of education, training youth and sport.

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Erasmus+

 Networking & knowledge sharing; 

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Developing business & 
management skills.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
education/set-projects-education-
and-training/erasmus-funding-
programme_en#about-the-
erasmus-funding-programme 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/opportunities/
portal/screen/programmes/
erasmus2027

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/
erasmus-plus/contact/
national-agencies_en

There is a strong link between education and culture. Through the Erasmus+ 
programme, schools, universities, libraries, museums, cultural centres, among other 
formal and non-formal learning institutions, have the opportunity to experiment 
with new creative approaches. Erasmus+ is key to capacity-building, skills 
development, research and innovation both for adult education and 
youth work. For instance, opportunities can be seized through job-shadowing, 
training, and exchanges. Moreover, Erasmus+ can also contribute to increased 
opportunities for cultural and artistic mobility. HeritagePRO, is an example 
of a project funded under the 2014-2020 Erasmus+ programme, which can serve 
as inspiration for future applicants.

Who can apply?

• 

• 

Applicants across all three Key Actions must be located in an EU Member 
State or third country associated to the programme. More 
information on eligible countries:  
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/programme-guide/part-a/who-
can-participate/eligible-countries_en;

Please get in touch with the relevant Erasmus+ National Authority in your 
country or check its website to get more information on eligibility criteria for 
each Erasmus+ key action:  
https://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/contact/national-agencies_en.

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Get Inspired! - Heritage PRO

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage

Dates

2018 –2021

Budget

€350 000

More Information

https://heritage-pro.eu/

Heritage-PRO is an Erasmus+ project carried out in the context of the European 
Year of Cultural Heritage 2018. It responded to the growing demand for 
interdisciplinary training for professionals of different disciplines linked to the 
sustainable management and preservation of cultural heritage.

The project proposed a multilingual training scheme on how to carry out 
preservation activities at heritage sites. It also provided guidelines for heritage 
managers and developed a multilingual training kit to make the training 
scheme accessible and cost-effective.

A dedicated training camp allowed young people and future heritage managers 
to learn from experts on the heritage preservation subject. Due to the COVID-19 
restrictions, the two-days camp was held online, bringing together around 50 
young professionals from various disciplines related to the administration and 
preservation of cultural heritage. The camp allowed the participants to establish 
new contacts and strengthen their interdisciplinary competences.

A German non-profit cultural organisation, Kultur und Arbeit EV, together with 5 
partners from Austria, Belgium, Germany, Spain and Sweden, carried out this 
project. It was launched in September 2018 and concluded in August 2021. 

   
   
   
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4 . European Solidarity Corps

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 1 billion

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

Educational institution; 

Private or public cultural 
institute / foundation; 

NGO, non-profit & civil 
society organisation; 

Social enterprise; 

Private organisation.

Type of actions

Developing creative 
& technical skills

The European Solidarity Corps aims to enhance the engagement of young 
people and organisations in solidarity and volunteering activities to strengthen 
social cohesion, solidarity, democracy, European identity and active 
citizenship. The programme supports both individuals and organisations seeking 
to get engaged in a volunteering or solidarity project. 

Actions

More specifically, the European Solidarity Corps seeks to fund volunteering activities 
that seek to promote:

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Social inclusion and diversity;

Environmental protection, sustainable development and climate action;

Digital transformation;

Democratic participation;

Health prevention, promotion and support.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The European Solidarity Corps programme is particularly relevant for educational 
institutions, NGOs, cultural institutions and social enterprises interested 
in developing volunteering and solidarity projects that contribute to promoting 

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European Solidarity Corps

inclusion and diversity, democratic participation, active citizenship 
and European identity. FeMENism, is an example of a project funded under the 
2014-2020 European Solidarity Corps programme, which can serve as inspiration 
for future applicants.

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

The programme is open to any organisation legally established in an 
EU Member State or a third country associated to the Programme. More 
information on national agencies and eligible countries:  
https://europa.eu/youth/solidarity/organisations/contact-national-agencies_en;

Organisations should hold a valid volunteering Quality Label or Erasmus+ 
volunteering accreditation. The Quality Label is a process certifying that an 
organisation is able and willing to carry out high quality solidarity activities 
in compliance with the principles, objectives and quality standards of the 
European Solidarity Corps;

The composition of the volunteering teams must be international and at 
least a quarter of the volunteers must come from a country other than the 
one where the activity takes place.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://europa.eu/youth/
solidarity_en 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://europa.eu/youth/
solidarity/organisations/
calls-for-proposals_en

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://europa.eu/youth/
solidarity/contacts_en

© Shutterstock, 2021

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Get Inspired! -  FeMENism: anders denken over gelijkheid  

(FeMENism: thinking differently about equality)

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Performing arts

Dates

2018

Budget

€18 040

More information

https://www.jint.be/verhalen/
femenism-anders-denken-over-
gelijkheid

FeMENism is a youth exchange project combining human rights education 
and theatre performances, funded by the European Solidarity Corps. The 
project involved an exchange between 30 young people (aged 18-25) from 
Belgium, Greece, France, and Serbia, for the duration of one week, where 
participants were encouraged to reflect on gender issues and develop a 
theatrical performance based on their collaborative explorations.

The activities consisted of a gender workshop, which entailed discussions about 
gendered experiences in the young peoples’ respective countries, and 
theatre workshops, which involved drama exercises and prompts for exploration. 
The whole performance was made out of scenes created by the participants, 
based on exercises that the trainer supported them to develop. One of the main 
success factors of the projects related to the youth-led organisation and design 
of the activities. 

In the words of one of the lead facilitators: “We didn’t want to work around 
activism, or protest. It’s about the little revolutions you can start, about inspiring 
each other, about doing things differently in your own environment”. The project 
took place in a Centre for Youth, Art and Creation, called Destelheide in Flanders, 
Belgium over the summer of 2018. The project originated from a European 
volunteer who did an internship in Destelheide the previous year, where she 
conducted research on the possible combination between theatrical performances 
and human rights education. 

Right: FeMENism © Shutterstock

   
   
   
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5 . Horizon Europe

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 95.5 billion

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Digitalisation & new 
business models; 

Networking & knowledge sharing; 

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets; 

Horizon Europe is a scientific research and innovation multiannual programme, 
a successor of the recent Horizon 2020 programme and the earlier Framework 
Programmes for Research and Technological Development. It is an initiative aimed 
at ensuring European leadership in frontier research, tackling climate change, 
developing new technologies and innovation, achieving the UN’s Sustainable 
Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth. 

The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research 
and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while 
tackling global challenges. It supports the creation and better spread of knowledge 
and technologies. It creates jobs, fully engages the EU’s talent pool, boosts 
economic growth, promotes industrial competitiveness and optimises investment 
impact within a strengthened European Research Area.

Actions

The programme structure contains three pillars: 

• 

• 

Pillar 1 – Excellent Science. This strand aims to increase the EU’s global 
scientific competitiveness. It supports frontier research projects through the 
European Research Council, funds fellowships for experienced researchers, 
doctoral training networks and exchanges through Marie Skłodowska-Curie 
Actions;

Pillar 2 - Global Challenges and European Industrial 
Competitiveness. This Pillar supports research relating to societal 

Developing creative 
& technical skills; 

Audience development; 

Artistic creation; 

Product, service and 
infrastructure development.

Want to know more about  
the programme? 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
research-and-innovation/
funding/funding-opportunities/
funding-programmes-and-
open-calls/horizon-europe_en 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/horizon 

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-
and-innovation/contact/research-
enquiry-service_en  
and  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/opportunities/
portal/screen/support/ncp 

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Horizon Europe

challenges and technological and industrial capacities, through clusters. It 
also includes the Joint Research Centre which supports EU and national 
policymakers with independent scientific evidence and technical support;

• 

Pillar 3 - Innovative Europe. This part of the programme aims to 
make Europe a frontrunner in market-creating innovation via the European 
Innovation Council. It also helps to develop the overall EU innovation 
landscape through the European Institute of Innovation and Technology, 
which fosters integration of the knowledge triangle of education, research and 
innovation.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

Within Pillar 2, Cluster 2: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive society, is of 
especially high relevance for the cultural and creative sectors, as it can support 
sustainable innovation, job creation, and improved working conditions. It can also 
tap into the full potential of cultural heritage, arts and cultural and creative sectors 
and industries. Research and innovation can support access to common heritage 
through new technologies, high quality digitisation and curation of 
digital heritage assets and by developing solutions for sustainable and 
inclusive cultural tourism in Europe, for example. The cultural and creative 
industries are expected to play a prominent role in many projects funded under this 
cluster, and there are funding opportunities specifically directed towards the CCIs.

There are also funding opportunities for individuals doing research through the 
Marie-Skłodowska-Curie Actions, where the European Research Council 
supports social science and humanities projects, which could also be relevant for 
cultural and creative organisations. For projects focused on innovation there is a 
new scheme under the European Innovation Council which focuses mainly 
on breakthrough, deep-tech and disruptive innovation, targeting market-creating 
innovation in particular. 

A new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to supporting 
innovation ecosystems in the Cultural and Creative Sectors and Industries will 
connect the various institutional and individual players, facilitating access to 
finance, retraining and upskilling CCSI professionals.

The Startup Europe initiative aims at building a healthy ecosystem that allows 
startups across the EU to scale-up and accelerate their businesses.

The STARTS programme supports innovation in both art and industry to develop 
more creative, inclusive, and sustainable technologies.

RURITAGE, HAP4MARBLE and ROCK, are three examples of projects funded under 
the 2014-2020 Horizon 2020 programme, which can serve as inspiration for future 
applicants.

Who can apply?

• 

There are different eligibility requirements and funding rules depending on 
whether the type of action is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA), an 
Innovation Action (IA) or a Coordination and Support Action (CSA). Participants 
have to be legally established organisations;

Featured opportunity!

Sub-programme: Startup Europe

Startup Europe is an initiative connecting high tech startups, 
scaleups, investors, accelerators, corporate networks, universities 
and the media to accelerate growth of the European startup 
scene. It is supported by a portfolio of EU funded projects and 
policy actions such as:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Startup Europe One Stop Shop, which offers 
entrepreneurs, investors and ecosystem builders trusted 
information and support on topics ranging from scaling up, 
investment opportunities and networking;

The EU Startup Nation Standard, aims at helping 
European SMEs and startups to pursue their market 
ambitions by focusing on making it easier to launch a startup 
and expand across borders, promoting venture-building and 
tech transfer from universities, increasing access to finance 
for scaling-up and easing visa processes to retain third 
country talent;

The Innovation Radar, a data-driven initiative to identify 
high potential innovations and innovators in EU-funded 
research and innovation projects, with the goal of allowing 
every citizen, public official, professional and business person 
to discover the outputs of EU innovation funding;

Digital innovation and scaleup initiative (DISC) 
aimed at addressing the investment gap that digital startups 
in central, eastern and south-eastern Europe (CESEE)  
region face when compared to innovators in other  
European regions.

More information at:  
https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/startup-europe 

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•  More information on Cluster 2 can be found here:  

https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/funding/
funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/
horizon-europe/cluster-2-culture-creativity-and-inclusive-
society_en;

• 

There is a network of National Contact Points (in each 
Member State or associated country) to provide guidance, 
practical information and assistance on all aspects of 
participation in Horizon Europe. More information can be 
found here:  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/support/ncp.

Featured opportunity!

European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) - 
Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC)

The EIT’s Knowledge and Innovation Communities are pan-
European partnerships bringing together businesses, research 
centres and universities. 

A new Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC) dedicated to 
supporting innovation ecosystems in the Cultural and Creative 
Sectors and Industries will aim at strengthening ecosystems, 
which is the most efficient way to support innovation and CCSIs, 
linked to cultural heritage. It will stimulate the ability of the 
sectors to innovate by connecting the various institutional and 
individual players, facilitating access to finance, retraining and 
upskilling CCSI professionals. It aims to strengthen cooperation 
and create favourable environments for creative thought 
processes and innovation to flourish. 

Activities cover the entire innovation chain: training and education 
programmes, reinforcing the journey from research to the 
market, innovation projects, as well as business incubators and 
accelerators. The EIT Culture and Creativity community will train 
the sector’s future entrepreneurs, support cutting-edge ventures, 
and deliver innovative solutions to the challenges facing  
the sectors. 

Who can apply? The applicant consortium must include at  
least one higher education institution, one research institution  
and one private company established in at least three different  
Member States.

How to apply? A call for proposal invites consortia to submit their 
ideas for the new EIT Culture & Creativity KIC, in the lead up to 
funding opportunities opening in 2023. Organisations are also 
invited to join a networking platform to learn more and to connect 
with potential partners for the upcoming EIT Call for Proposals:  
https://eit-culture-creativity.b2match.io/

More information at:  
https://eit.europa.eu/our-communities/eit-innovation-communities 

33

Horizon Europe

• 

• 

Regional centres intended to expand the initiative at the  
local level;

Thematic pilots and prizes which support radically 
innovative technologies developed in collaboration with 
artists and focused on contemporary challenges.

Check upcoming opportunities and open calls at  
https://www.starts.eu/calls/.  
More information at:  
https://www.starts.eu/

Featured opportunity!

STARTS programme

S+T+ARTS is a platform linking technology and artistic practice 
more closely in order to address Europe’s social, environmental 
and economic challenges. It supports the development of 
more creative, inclusive and sustainable technologies through 
the collaboration between artists, scientists, engineers and 
researchers. It is centred around the idea that art, science and 
technology can benefit from sharing of perspectives and opening 
up new pathways for research and business.

Through its different pillars, S+T+ARTS offers:

• 

• 

Residencies that deepen knowledge sharing  
and collaboration;

Academies focused on bridging the gap between the arts 
and technology through education;

© Shutterstock, 2021

RURITAGE is a project funded under the 2014-2020 Horizon 2020 programme. 
It aims at transforming rural areas in sustainable development laboratories 
by enhancing their cultural and natural heritage. The project gathers 
stakeholders and local communities in a new collaborative manner, engaging 
them in a participatory and community-based heritage management, ensuring 
ownership, capacity building and skills transfer. 

RURITAGE identified 13 role models that redeveloped their territories through 
heritage-led regeneration strategies in different fields): pilgrimage, local food, 
migration, arts & festival, resilience and landscape. The knowledge built 
by the role models is transferred to 6 replicators across Europe, by setting up Local 
Rural Heritage Hubs gathering stakeholders and civil society. The Hubs work 
as living labs where heritage-led rural regeneration strategies are co-created and 
implemented with the support of role models. The project is also making available 
the RURITAGE Resources Ecosystem, including different tools for regeneration 
strategies, such as an interactive web-based atlas, a set of good practices and 
innovative solutions for rural regeneration, games kits and regeneration guidelines.

The project was launched in June 2018 and its activities will be carried out until 
August 2022. The University of Bologna (Italy) is the main coordinator, and the 
project includes 38 partners from different EU countries (Austria, Finland, France, 
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Romania, 
Slovenia and Spain) and non-EU countries (Colombia, Iceland, Norway, Turkey and 
the UK). 

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Get Inspired! - RURITAGE

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage;

Crafts.

Dates

2018 –2022

Budget

€10 000 000 

More information

https://www.ruritage.eu/project/

Right: Ruritage © Urosh Grabner 2019

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
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Get Inspired! - HAP4MARBLE

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage

Dates

2015-2018

Budget

€244 269

More information

https://cordis.europa.eu/project/
id/655239/reporting

The HAP4MARBLE project was fully funded under the Horizon2020 programme. It 
was aimed at developing a new multi-functional treatment for the conservation 
of marble artworks in cultural heritage, and particularly at preventing marble 
dissolution, arresting marble bowing, repairing of sugaring marble and developing 
self-cleaning abilities. 

Marble has been widely used in architecture and sculpture across history, but it is 
sensitive to deterioration processes, some of which are predicted to worsen due to 
the impact of climate change. Moreover, all the currently available treatments 
for conservation of marble present some significant limitations, in terms of efficacy, 
compatibility and/or durability. 

The project was aimed at multi-functionalising a recently proposed biomimetic 
treatment based on formation of hydroxyapatite (HAP, the main constituent 
of human teeth and bones), by reaction of marble with an aqueous phosphate 
solution. The achievement of the project objectives was made possible by a multi-
disciplinary research activity, combining different competences and laboratory 
facilities. The obtained results were published in 14 scientific publications with 
open access, 7 articles in high-level journals and 7 contributions in international 
conference proceedings. The project also contributed to make European citizens, 
including school children, more aware of the cultural and economic 
importance of monuments and of the challenges connected to their 
conservation, thanks to the extensive outreach activities carried out during  
the project.

Right: HAP4MARBLE © Enrico Sassoni 2016

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Get Inspired! -  ROCK - Regeneration and Optimisation of  

Cultural heritage in creative and Knowledge cities

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage

Dates

2017-2020

Budget

€10 629 453

More information

https://rockproject.eu/

The ROCK project received funding from the Horizon 2020 Programme and it 
brings together a network of 10 cities across Europe (Lyon, Turin, Cluj, Eindhoven, 
Athens, Vilnius, Liverpool, Lisbon, Skopje, Bologna). The aim is to support the 
transformation of historic city centres afflicted by physical decay, social 
conflicts and with a poor quality of life into Creative and Sustainable 
Districts, through new sustainable environmental, social and economic processes.

ROCK develops and applies an innovative circular systemic approach to 
connect different actors, places of Cultural Heritage value and systems, at a 
European level as well as at a local level. ROCK has focused on historic city centres 
as real laboratories to demonstrate how cultural heritage can be an engine of 
regeneration, sustainable development and economic growth. It has 
applied a series of role-model practices in three testing sites in Bologna, Lisbon 
and Skopje. Over almost four years, the ten ROCK cities have been developing 
innovative solutions that demonstrate how cultural heritage can be the driving 
force behind urban sustainability. They have been supported by project partners, 
such as service providers, universities, network of enterprises, companies and 
development agencies, to test and advance tools and approaches aimed at 
shaping sustainable and cultural heritage led urban regeneration.

Some of their innovative training solutions include an incubation programme 
to boost green and creative business creation in each city and eco-innovation 
workshops to stimulate sustainable business innovation via exchanges of 
know-how between green SMEs and ecopreneurs from all across Europe. The EU 
contributed with € 9,873,585 to the overall budget of the project.

Right: ROCK © Comune di Bologna 2020

   
   
   
   
   
   
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6 . Digital Europe Programme

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 7.6 billion

Sector

All sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Digitalisation & new 
business models

The Digital Europe Programme (DIGITAL) is a new EU funding programme 
focused on bringing digital technology to businesses, citizens and 
public administrations. It will provide strategic funding to answer the many 
challenges we face today with regards to digital technologies and infrastructures. 
The programme aims to accelerate the economic recovery and shape the digital 
transformation of Europe’s society and economy, bringing benefits to everyone, but 
in particular to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Actions

DIGITAL will support projects in five key capacity areas: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Supercomputing;

Artificial Intelligence;

Cybersecurity;

Advanced Digital Skills;

Deployment and accessibility of digital technologies (including through Digital 
Innovation Hubs).

The Digital Europe Programme will also complement the funding available through 
other EU programmes, such as the Horizon Europe programme for research and 
innovation and the Connecting Europe Facility for digital infrastructure, the Recovery 
and Resilience Facility and the Structural funds. 

41

Digital Europe Programme

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

https://digital-strategy.
ec.europa.eu/en/activities/
digital-programme

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/digital 

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://digital-strategy.
ec.europa.eu/en/contact

More information at

https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.
eu/en/activities/edihs

The Digital Programme can be a particularly relevant financial instrument to fund 
projects providing all the different cultural and creative organisations with access 
to the newest digital technologies, spanning from artificial intelligence to 
supercomputing. There is also support available for the improvement of digital 
skills, targeted at students, IT professionals, entrepreneurs and SME leaders and 
various other professionals. 

The EU’s Digital Innovation Hubs initiative functions as one-stop shops to enable 
businesses and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) to increase their 
competitiveness and respond to digital challenges.

Who can apply?

Details on eligibility criteria and specific calls will be detailed in work programmes 
for 2021-2027 which are currently being adopted. Check the following links  
for updates:  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/programmes/
digital

Featured opportunity!

Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs)

Digital Innovation Hubs help companies take advantage of digital opportunities to 
improve their processes and products with a view to enhance their competitiveness. 
DIHs provide access to technical expertise and experimentation through networking 
and cross-border knowledge transfer so that companies can “test before invest”. 
It also provides innovation services, such as financing advice, training and skills 
development needed for a successful digital transformation.

To help DIHs to effectively collaborate and network, the European Commission 
launched the European catalogue of DIHs, a repository that includes more than 450 
existing digital innovation hubs across Europe and that will keep growing with new 
additions in the future, accessible at  
http://s3platform.jrc.ec.europa.eu/digital-innovation-hubs-tool.

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7 . Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 33.71 billion 

Sector

Cultural heritage & museums

Type of organisation

Educational institution; 

Private or public cultural 
foundation / institute.

Type of actions

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Developing creative 
& technical skills; 

Digitalisation & new 
business models; 

The Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) aims to build, develop, modernise and 
complete the trans-European networks in the transport, energy and digital 
sectors. In order to empower the cultural heritage sector in its digital 
transformation, the CEF programme also supports the Europeana initiative. 
The Europeana Foundation provides grants for projects aimed at developing 
expertise, tools and policies to embrace digital change and encourage partnerships 
that foster innovation.

Actions

The Connecting Europe Facility funds can support different sectors:

• 

• 

• 

Transport: promoting interconnected and multimodal networks in order 
to develop and modernise rail, road, inland waterway and maritime 
infrastructure, as well as ensuring safe and secure mobility;

Energy: contributing to the further integration of the European energy market, 
improving the interoperability of energy networks across borders and sectors, 
facilitating decarbonisation, and ensuring security of supply;

Digital: contributing to the deployment of digital connectivity infrastructure 
throughout the Union.

43

Connecting Europe Facility (CEF)

Networking & knowledge sharing.

The Europeana research grants seek to support cultural heritage professionals and 
researchers to: 

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/
connecting-europe-facility/about-
connecting-europe-facility_en  
and  
https://pro.europeana.eu/

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/calls-
proposals_en  
and  
https://pro.europeana.eu/
page/grants-programme 

Questions? Get in touch! 

• 

• 

• 

Address challenges and opportunities related to the reuse of digital cultural 
heritage in research;

Help build up the digital capabilities of cultural heritage 
professionals involved in cross-sectoral projects;

Encourage collaborations between the cultural heritage and the  
research sectors.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The Europeana research grants programme is particularly relevant for the 
 cultural heritage sector. Proposals can address cultural heritage in general 
or focus on one of its specific sectors (such as galleries, libraries, archives, or 
museums). There are also specific opportunities for academic disciplines that 
use digital cultural heritage as a resource for research (for instance, 
disciplines within the humanities, such as Archaeology, History, Linguistics, History 
of Art and Architecture).

EuropeanaResearchGrants@
Europeana.eu 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

• 

The Europeana research grants programme is open to cultural heritage 
and/or research institutions, comprising universities and foundations;

Institutions must be located in one of the EU Member States or Iceland, 
Norway, and the UK;

Find more information on the Europeana initiative:  
https://pro.europeana.eu/;

Check the Europeana funding opportunities:  
https://pro.europeana.eu/page/grants-programme.

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 © Valentino Gareri

8 . New European Bauhaus (NEB)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

N/A

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Networking & knowledge sharing;

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Product, service and 
infrastructure development;

Developing creative 
& technical skills; 

The New European Bauhaus initiative aims to develop a creative and 
interdisciplinary movement that connects the European Green Deal to the everyday 
life of the EU citizens. It is a platform for experimentation aimed at uniting citizens, 
experts, businesses and institutions to imagine and design a sustainable, 
aesthetic and inclusive future.

Actions

The initiative was co-designed through the direct involvement of citizens, experts, 
businesses, and Institutions. Following the co-design phase, a delivery phase was 
launched in order to set up and implement the New European Bauhaus pilots. The 
final dissemination phase of the initiative will focus on amplifying the ideas and 
actions that emerged and reaching a broader audience in Europe and beyond. The 
New European Bauhaus initiative is aimed at:

• 

providing financial support to innovative ideas and products through ad-hoc 
calls for proposals and through coordinated programs;

•  mobilising designers, architects, engineers, scientists, students, and creative 

minds across disciplines to reimagine sustainable living;

•  making tomorrow’s living more accessible and affordable;

• 

improving the quality of the EU citizens’ living experience.

45

New European Bauhaus (NEB)

Financing for direct costs; 

Financing for scaling up.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://europa.eu/new-
european-bauhaus/index_en 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://europa.eu/new-european-
bauhaus/delivery_en 

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The calls for proposals supporting the achievement of the New European Bauhaus 
objectives are offered from different EU funding programmes. Cultural and creative 
stakeholders can benefit from many such calls. In particular, the cultural and 
creative sector can contribute to the transformation of the built environments 
reflecting values such as aesthetics, sustainability and social inclusion. 
Other funding opportunities might involve cultural and creative stakeholders 
in defining and implementing co-design processes to addressing social and 
environmental challenges through multidisciplinary collaboration. Finally, 
cultural and creative stakeholders can become partners and key members of the 
NEB community. Find more information on how to become a partner here:  
https://europa.eu/new-european-bauhaus/partners-0/call-partnerships_en 

Questions? Get in touch! 

Who can apply?

https://europa.eu/new-european-
bauhaus/stay-touch_en 

Eligibility depends on specific calls. The calls for proposals supporting the 
achievement of the New European Bauhaus objectives are offered from  
different EU funding programmes. Check the website for more information  
on the specific calls:  
https://europa.eu/new-european-bauhaus/delivery_en 

© Shutterstock, 2021

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9 . InvestEU

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

The InvestEU Fund aims to 
mobilise more than €372 billion 
of public and private investment 
through an EU budget guarantee 
of €26.2 billion that backs the 
investment of implementing 
partners such as the European 
Investment Bank (EIB) Group 
and other financial institutions.

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

The InvestEU programme builds from the Investment Plan for Europe and it is 
aimed at providing long-term funding to companies and supporting EU policies in 
a recovery from a deep economic and social crisis. It brings together the European 
Fund for Strategic Investments and 13 other EU financial instruments from the 
previous funding period. Among these instruments, the Cultural and Creative 
Sectors Guarantee Facility (CCS GF) will be continued under InvestEU, and new 
financial tools (equity) will be developed with the CCS in sight. 

Actions

The instrument works in the following way: the intermediary signing up with the 
EIB Group can include banks, equity funds, or venture capital funds which 
operate at the ground level. Only once this step is established, a company or 
organisation can benefit from this instrument by contacting the local bank and 
pitching their project, which can then activate the financing. There are also micro-
loans of up to €25,000 that are offered through this instrument. Companies and 
organisations can benefit from the micro-loans, but individuals who need small 
loans can also apply. 

The InvestEU Fund supports the following four Policy Windows: 

Research, development 
& innovation;

Product, service and 
infrastructure development; 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Sustainable infrastructure;

Research, Innovation and Digitalisation;

Small and medium-sized companies (SMEs);

Social investment and skills.

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InvestEU

Digitalisation & new 
business models; 

Financing for scaling up; 

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets; 

Networking & knowledge sharing; 

Financing for direct costs; 

Developing creative 
& technical skills.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://europa.eu/investeu/
investeu-fund/about-investeu-
fund_en  
and  
https://www.eif.org/
what_we_do/guarantees/
cultural_creative_sectors_
guarantee_facility/index.htm

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://europa.eu/youreurope/
business/finance-funding/
getting-funding/access-
finance/index_en.htm 

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://europa.eu/investeu/
form/contact_en

Moreover, the Cultural and Creative Sectors Guarantee Facility (CCS GF) is 
an initiative managed by the European Investment Fund on behalf of the European 
Commission. It benefits micro-businesses and SMEs in the cultural and 
creative sectors, which often face difficulties in accessing affordable debt 
financing for their projects.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

In addition to the CCS Guarantee Facility, the Policy Windows of the InvestEU 
fund that focus on Research, Innovation and Digitisation, SMEs, and 
Social Investments and Skills are all relevant for the cultural and creative 
sector. In particular, the SME policy window is also directly aimed at facilitating 
access to finance for SMEs and organisations from the cultural and creative sectors 
and investments in tangible and intangible assets, including in cultural heritage. In 
the field of social investment and skills, financial support aims at improving social 
infrastructures, social inclusion, the integration of vulnerable groups as well as 
promoting education and training - all activities that can fall under the remit of 
cultural and creative organisations. Individual artists, or groups and bands can also 
benefit from the small micro-loans offered. 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

It is important to note that there will be no calls for proposals. It is up to the 
applicant to approach the financial intermediaries, such as the banks;

Please check here the list of financial intermediaries for the CCS  
Guarantee Facility:  
https://www.eif.org/what_we_do/guarantees/cultural_creative_sectors_
guarantee_facility/ccs_signatures.pdf;

• 

The InvestEU fund can be accessed by;

•  members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which are 

members of the EEA;

• 

• 

• 

acceding countries, candidate countries and potential candidates;

European Neighbourhood Policy countries;

other third countries.

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© Shutterstock, 2021

10 . Single Market Programme

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

The new Single Market Programme (SMP) brings together six predecessor 
programmes1 from different policy areas, in particular the grants and contracts part 
of COSME. The Single Market Programme aims to help ensure a well-functioning 
Single Market for goods and services, provide high-quality statistics on all EU 
policies and coordinate capacity building for joint actions between the Commission 
and Member States.

SMP brings many activities together under one coherent umbrella to reduce 
overlaps. One strand provides various forms of support to businesses, in particular 
SMEs. It aims to boost their competitiveness and sustainability, in particular: 

• 

• 

• 

facilitate access to markets;

promote entrepreneurship and the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills;

promote the modernisation of industry and address global and  
societal challenges.

Specific types of actions to support are defined in an annual financing decision and 
multi (annual) parts of the SMP work programme.

EUR 4.2 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

Private organisations; 

Social enterprise.

Type of actions

Business & management 
skills development; 

Product, service & 
infrastructure development; 

Audience development; 

Networking & knowledge sharing; 

1  The six predecessor programmes are: 1) COSME; 2) European Statistical Programme (ESP); 3) Reporting and Auditing; 

4) Enhancing consumers involvement in the EU policy making in the field of financial services; 5) Food and Feed; and 6) 

Consumer Programme

49

Single Market Programme

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets.

Actions

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/find-funding/
eu-funding-programmes/
single-market-programme_en 

The programme includes different areas of intervention, including food safety, 
consumer protection, competitiveness, Single Market effectiveness, European 
statistics and standards. The priority “Competitiveness of SMEs” is of particular 
relevance for cultural and creative sectors. SME pillar of the Single Market 
Programme will provide various forms of support to businesses, in particular SMEs, 
in order to foster a favourable business environment and entrepreneurial culture, 
facilitate access to markets, reduce administrative burden, support uptake of 
innovation and address global and societal challenges.

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

The Programme also supports a better enforcement of EU law and promotes the 
competitiveness of SMEs, also through the following initiatives: 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/smp 

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/find-funding/
eu-funding-programmes/single-
market-programme/overview/
support-businesses_en

• 

• 

• 

Enterprise Europe Network: regional network which functions as a one-
stop-shop to improve SME competitiveness and to provide business support 
and advisory services to SMEs seeking to explore the opportunities of the 
internal market;

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs: a cross-border exchange programme 
which gives new or aspiring entrepreneurs the chance to learn from 
experienced entrepreneurs running small businesses in other countries;

Joint cluster initiatives: a new generation of actions involving industrial 
clusters - groups of specialised enterprises, often SMEs, and other related 
supporting actors that cooperate closely in a shared location.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The Single Market Programme 2021-2027 in particular under support to 
businesses (SME) pillar is open to all eligible organisations under the SMP, 
including potentially from cultural and creative sectors. It is particularly relevant 
for micro-companies, SMEs and start-up, as the programme seeks to promote the 
competitiveness of SMEs in different areas and sectors. TraCEs, is an 
example of a project funded under the COSME predecessor programme, which can 
serve as inspiration for future applicants.

The WORTH Partnership Project /COSME is an initiative aimed at boosting the 
added-value of creative products and processes through design and technology, 
thus enhancing the competitiveness of creative SMEs.

Who can apply?

• 

• 

The programme is open to any legally established organisation created 
under Union law or any international organisation, as well as to organisations 
legally established in a third country associated to the Programme (i.e., EFTA 
members, candidate and potential candidate countries, countries covered by 
the European Neighbourhood Policy);

The Programme is also open to new entrepreneurs that are firmly 
planning to start a business, based on a viable business plan and also to new 
entrepreneurs with less than 3 years of total entrepreneurial experience.

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Featured opportunity!

How to apply? 

WORTH Partnership Project/COSME

The WORTH Partnership Project supports creative sector SMEs 
to collaborate transnationally with a view to develop innovative 
design-driven products by stimulating exchange and partnership 
between creatives, designers, manufacturers, crafters and 
technology firms. It is based on key principles such as quality of 
experience, including style and aesthetics, healthy and safe living 
environments, sustainability and circularity as well as inclusion, 
accessibility and affordability. 

The proposed project must be developed around its potential for 
growth and added value of the cooperation, level of innovation 
and creativity, scalability and sustainability of the results, market 
potential and commitment, mentoring needs and the identification 
of obstacles and barriers. The partnership can be self-arranged 
but a partner search tool is also available.

The WORTH Partnership Project is funded under COSME, the EU 
Programme for the competitiveness of Small and Medium-sized 
Enterprises.

The project provides financial support, but also coaching on 
business strategy and technology development, as well as advice 
on intellectual property, participation in exhibitions and networking 
opportunities.

More information at:  
http://worthproject.eu/

Who can apply? 

Both the lead applicants and partners should be active in lifestyle 
industry sectors such as textile/fashion, footwear, leather/fur, 
furniture/home decoration/interior design/architecture, jewellery, 
and accessories and pursue business activities such as design, 
manufacturing/craftsmanship or technology development. They 
must be established in an EU country, in a COSME associated 
country or in the United Kingdom. Universities, research 
organisations or design labs can also participate if justified and 
relevant to the project.

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Single Market Programme

© Shutterstock, 2021

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Get Inspired! -  TraCEs, Cultour Is Capital - Transformative Tourism 
across European Capital of Culture

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

All sectors

Dates

2019-2020

Budget

€470 167

More Information

https://www.cultouriscapital.eu/ 

Funded under the EU’s COSME (Competitiveness of Enterprises and SME) 
programme 2014-2020, TraCEs seeks to lay the foundations of a cultural and 
sustainable tourism model in European Capitals of Culture (ECoC) that pivots 
around their heritage, cultural and creative sectors, and ways of living.

Its aim is to develop methodologies, procedures, and tools that will favour the 
creation of new tourist experiences in ECoC cities, involving two key sectors: 
creative and cultural industries and tourist operators. Ultimately, TraCEs believes 
that ECoC should not be a one-year event but should build a future for the cultural 
and creative sector of cities and region, for their impact on other sectors and for 
cultural tourism. 

For this project 8 partners from Italy, Slovakia, Croatia, Spain, Germany and 
The Netherlands came together to share the unique qualities of their countries 
and, above all, the potential of their culture capitals from a local and innovative 
perspective. This is how TraCEs understands transformative tourism: linking 
communities so that visitors tap into regional cultures and meaningfully interact 
with locals, reinforcing the concept of the tourist as a temporary citizen rather than 
a holidaymaker. TraCEs brings all this together by putting forward a new way of 
traveling to European Capitals of Culture.

The project actively involves tourism and creative industry operators 
to interact in “laboratories”, where local resources – previously mapped and 
clustered – are used to shape an innovative thematic tourist product. 
Synergies between tourism and culture are used at the outset of the overall project 
development process, and the project provides a unique opportunity for the tourism 
sector to develop innovative products, and for creative industries to cross-fertilize 
other economic sectors.

Right: TraCEs CulTour © Nicholas Burns 2020

   
   
   
   
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© Santi Martorell Fabregat

11 . EU funding instrument for the  
environment and climate action (LIFE)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 5.4 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Product, service and 
infrastructural development;

 Networking & knowledge sharing.

The LIFE programme is the only EU’s funding instrument dedicated specifically to 
environmental issues and climate action. The programme aims to contribute to 
the implementation, updating and development of EU environmental and climate 
policy and legislation. The programme co-financed more than five thousand 
projects since 1992.

Actions

The new LIFE programme will cover the following areas: 

• 

• 

• 

Nature and biodiversity: this sub-programme will aim to protect and 
restore Europe’s nature and halting and reversing biodiversity loss. It will 
continue to fund nature conservation projects, in particular in the areas of 
biodiversity, habitats and species;

Circular economy and quality of life: this aims to facilitate the transition 
toward a sustainable, circular, toxic-free, energy-efficient and climate-resilient 
economy and at protecting, restoring and improving the quality of the 
environment. The sub-programme provides mostly action grants for projects 
implementing innovative solutions in these areas through the so-called 
Standard Action Projects (SAP);

Climate change mitigation and adaptation: it provides support for pilot, 
demonstration and projects that contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas 
emissions, the implementation and development of EU policy and legislation, 
best practices and solutions. LIFE provides action grants for information, 
awareness and dissemination projects on climate matters;

55

LIFE

• 

Clean energy transition: this sub-programme continues to support the 
delivery of EU policies in the field of sustainable energy, in particular, the 
European Green Deal, the Energy Union (2030 energy and climate targets) 
and the European Union’s 2050 long-term decarbonisation strategy.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

Cultural and creative projects that raise public awareness about, and inspire public 
engagement with environmental issues will find relevant funding opportunities 
here. Initiatives that seek to educate people about environmental and climate 
actions could also apply to this fund. In addition, cultural projects that aim to 
provide environmental solutions, by protecting biodiversity, contributing to the 
circular and climate-resilient economy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, or 
drawing on renewable energy, are eligible for support under this opportunity. LEWO, 
is an example of a project funded under the 2014-2020 programme, which can 
serve as inspiration for future applicants.

Who can apply?

Any public or private legal organisation registered in the EU can submit a proposal 
under the LIFE Programme.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/
life/life-calls-proposals_
en#ecl-inpage-1380 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/life2027 

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/life/
life-european-countries_en 

© Shutterstock, 2021

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Get Inspired! - LIFE Evergreen with volunteers (LEWO)

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage

Dates

2017-2020

Budget

€800,162

More Information

https://webgate.ec.europa.
eu/life/publicWebsite/project/
details/4761  
and  
https://voluntariadogalego.org/
es/planes-y-programas/plan/
programa-de-voluntariado-
juvenil-en-espacios-
naturales-2020

LIFE Evergreen with volunteers (LEWO) project received funding under the LIFE 
programme 2014-2020. The main objective of LEWO was to reduce the impact of 
human actions on natural heritage, encourage the sustainable use of natural 
resources and promote environmental education and citizenship participation. 
It sought to do this with the participation of volunteers through the European 
Solidarity Corps programme.

The project carried out volunteering activities aimed at the protection, restoration 
and management of 17 Natura 2000 network sites (core breeding and 
resting sites for rare and threatened species) in the Galicia region, Spain. The 
project was also aimed at promoting citizens’ environmental awareness through a 
participation model able to connect them with stakeholders. It also strived to raise 
awareness on citizenship rights and promote the value of volunteering for young 
people, while contributing to training opportunities for 300 young Galicians 
who can make a significant contribution to society. 

The project contributed to the management and preservation of habitats and 
species in these 17 network sites through daily actions of cleaning, improvement 
of access and fighting against invasive species. The benefits of nature 
conservation encouraged the replication of the same actions in all Natura 2000 
sites in the region, boosting participation from a greater number of volunteers and 
fostering the collaboration with new stakeholders. The project also contributed to 
create improved environmental awareness for at least 20,000 people through 
the promotion of environmental volunteering, educational activities, as well as 
information campaigns for the reduction of carbon footprints. The project also 
promoted European awareness among young people, and improve perception of 
European environmental policies among local communities to make rural areas 
more aware of opportunities through programmes such as LIFE and the European 
Solidarity Corps.

The project was coordinated by the regional office for youth, volunteering and 
participation of the Galicia region, in collaboration with the regional office for the 
natural heritage protection. While the total project budget was €800,162, the EU 
contributed with €478,677 in funding.

Right: LEWO © LEWO Project 2018

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© Tvrđava kulture Šibenik

12 . Cohesion fund (CF) and European 
Regional Development Fund (ERDF)  
(including Interreg)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 63.4 billion for CF and 
EUR 226 billion for ERDF 
(including EUR 9 billion for 
the Interreg programme). 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

The Cohesion Fund is one of the funds through which EU Cohesion policy is 
delivered, aimed at Member States whose Gross National Income (GNI) per 
inhabitant is less than 90 % of the EU average, and which support projects in the 
field of TEN-T and the environment. ERDF is also part of the EU Cohesion policy 
and it aims to strengthen the economic, social and territorial cohesion 
in the European Union by correcting imbalances between its regions, by supporting 
economic recovery, job creation, competitiveness, innovation, and sustainability. It 
delivers on the Union’s political priorities, especially the green and digital transition. 
Within ERDF, the Interreg programme supports cross-border (Interreg A and 
IPA), transnational (Interreg B) and interregional (Interreg C) cooperation.

As ERDF/CF are managed predominantly via shared management, managing 
authorities and participating countries are entrusted to allocate funding and set 
up a management and control system to ensure the implementation of the fund 
based on agreed programmes (which are also developed and implemented in a 
multi-level governance approach, in line with the partnership principle).

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CF and ERDF Including Interreg

Type of actions

Actions

Local/regional/national/transnational/
cross-border authorities call for projects 
adapted to their specific needs, please 
check the website of your managing 
authority for relevant opportunities 
tailored to your needs under the CF  
and ERDF:  
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/
en/atlas/managing-authorities/ 

For cross-border/transnational 
cooperation actions, please check the 
Interreg website for relevant information 
and opportunities:  
https://interreg.eu/

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

Cohesion Fund:  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/find-funding/
eu-funding-programmes/
cohesion-fund-cf_en 

European Regional 
Development Fund:  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/find-funding/eu-funding-
programmes/european-regional-
development-fund-erdf_en 

Interreg Europe:  
https://www.interregeurope.
eu/about-us/what-is-
interreg-europe/

In 2021-2027, the funds will prioritise investments aimed at making Europe and 
its regions smarter and more competitive, greener and low-carbon, 
more connected, more social and inclusive and closer to citizens, thus 
intersecting with the priorities and needs of the cultural and creative sectors, and 
their key players. Cohesion Fund mainly finances activities in field of environment 
(including investments related to sustainable development and energy presenting 
environmental benefits, with a particular focus on renewable energy) and trans-
European networks in the area of transport infrastructure.

The majority of the ERDF funds (between 55% and 85%) will be allocated to 
actions contributing to smart growth and transition towards a greener, carbon 
neutral economy. Furthermore, at least 8% of the ERDF resources are set aside for 
sustainable urban development, through ‘integrated actions’ managed by cities 
to reduce economic, environmental and social problems in urban areas. Under the 
Interreg programme, ERDF can support public authorities, managing authorities, 
agencies, research institutes, thematic and non-profit organisations through 
interregional cooperation projects2 and policy learning platforms.  

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

ERDF investments in culture, sustainable tourism, and cultural heritage are possible 
under all five EU Cohesion policy objectives. This provides access for cultural 
and creative sector stakeholders to funding opportunities that contribute to the 
achievement of the above-mentioned policy objectives as well as individual 
programme objectives. The guiding principle behind this support for culture and 
creative industries under ERDF and CF is to strengthen the sectors’ long-term 
resilience and environmental, social and economic sustainability and to use the 
COVID-19 crisis as an opportunity for transformation. For 2021-2027, an additional 
ERDF specific objective directly focuses on the tourism and cultural sectors’ 
capacity to strengthen potential to drive economic recovery, social inclusion and 
social innovation, without prejudice to the funding possibilities under other policy 
objectives. In certain cases, the CF can support projects which indirectly benefit the 
cultural and creative sectors, e.g. when improving accessibility and environmental 
protection of cultural heritage sites. Fortress Reinvented, Lascaux 4 and Design 
and Innovation are three examples of projects funded under the 2014-2020 
European Regional Development Fund and Interreg programme, which can serve as 
inspiration for future applicants.

Check the website of your 
managing authority to learn more 
about funding opportunities

Who can apply?

Cohesion Fund and European 
Regional Development 
Fund: https://ec.europa.eu/
regional_policy/en/atlas/
managing-authorities/

Interreg Europe:  
https://www.interregeurope.
eu/in-my-country/

• 

ERDF and CF are subject to the Common Provisions Regulations, thus 
to the same rules in terms of programming, management, and monitoring of 
ERDF, CF and six other shared management funds (i.e., the European Social 
Fund+, the Just Transition Fund, the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund, 
the Asylum and Migration Fund, the Internal Security Fund and the Border 
Management and Visa Instrument);

2  The programme will co-finance up to 85% of project activities carried out in partnership with other policy organisations 

based in different countries in Europe.

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•  More specific regulatory provisions are laid out in the 

• 

European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund 
and the European Territorial Cooperation Regulations:  
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/
TXT/?uri=CELEX:32021R1058 

• 

• 

• 

and 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/
TXT/?uri=CELEX:32021R1059;

All EU regions are eligible for the ERDF. For Interreg, 
organisations must be based in one the 27 EU Member 
States (including their insular and outermost areas) or a 
participating country;

For the 2021-2027 period, the Cohesion Fund concerns 
Bulgaria, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Croatia, Cyprus, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Hungary, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, 
Slovakia and Slovenia;

ERDF and CF are delivered under shared management. In 
addition, there is also a specific ERDF instrument under direct 
management, the Interregional Innovation Investments (I3): 
https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/policy/themes/
research-innovation/i3/.  
For the implementation of the ERDF programmes, the 
respective managing authorities’ launch call for 
projects adapted to the specific needs. See the 
website of your managing authority for further details: 

• 

• 

https://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/en/atlas/managing-
authorities/ 

and
https://www.interregeurope.eu/in-my-country/.

Get Inspired! -  Fortress Reinvented: Unleashing the tourism potential of 

historical fortresses in the western Balkans

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage

Dates

2017-2019

Budget

€1 310 232 

More information

https://ec.europa.eu/
regional_policy/en/projects/
Croatia/unleashing-the-
tourism-potential-of-
historical-fortresses-in-the-
western-balkans

This project received funding under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 
through the Interreg-IPA CBC Croatia-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Montenegro programme 
during the 2014-2020 period. It aimed to develop and promote the tourism potential 
of historical fortifications in the cross-border area of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
Adriatic Croatia and Montenegro. It involved applying innovative approaches to 
showcasing digital content about cultural and historical heritage, with the aim of 
placing the fortresses on Europe’s cultural map and promoting tourism in the area.

The four historical fortresses concerned were St Michael’s, Klis, Vranduk, and Kanli Kula. 
One of the main achievements of the project was to create a ‘Fortress Reality Window’ at 
each site, in the form of a touchscreen with an application that allows visitors to take 
a tour of the other three fortresses using live-streaming technology. The project also 
involved the installation of state-of-the-art audio guides and digital touchscreen 
kiosks, displaying information on the four different fortresses.

A further element of the project concerned the training of 120 participants on the 
management and maintenance of heritage sites. The training and knowledge-sharing 
opportunities aimed to create sustainable and responsible tourism management of 
historical fortification monuments. With its cross-border approach, the project aims 
to stimulate growth and harmonised development of cultural tourism in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina, Croatia and Montenegro, opening up opportunities for collaboration and joint 
cultural events. 

The lead partner of the project was Šibenik City Museum, and the total investment for the 
project was approximately 1.3 million EUR, with the ERDF contributing to around 85% of 
the overall budget.

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Get Inspired! - Lascaux 4

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage

Dates

2014-2020

Budget

€57 000 000 

More information

https://ec.europa.eu/
regional_policy/en/projects/
france/faire-lexperience-de-
lart-parietal-a-lascaux-4-en-
dordogne-fac-simile-de-la-
celebre-grotte-de-la-prehistoire

Funded under the European Regional Development Fund Operational Programme 
of the Aquitaine region in the 2014-2020 programming period, the Lascaux 4 
project creates a reproduction of a famous prehistoric cave in the Dordogne 
region, in France. Located at Montignac-Lascaux, the International Centre of 
Parietal Art aimed to transform the hill of the Lascaux cave to improve its 
conservation, to foster the cultural tourism and contribute to the economic 
development of the Dordogne region.

With a building area of 8.084 m2, it extends to the foot of the hill on a 6.5-hectare 
site. The relief and paintings have been reproduced identically by painter-sculptors, 
resin workers and moulders using a stone veil technique. At the exit of the cave 
experience, various digital and interactive areas allow the visitors to expand 
their knowledge about the art and civilization of the Cro-Magnon man. For instance, 
the project contributed to develop a parietal art theatre to discover the works of 
prehistorians, the cinema for a 3D trip through Lascaux and other parietal art 
sites in the world, and also the Imagination Gallery to explore the links between 
parietal (cave) art and modern art.

Technological innovation is a key aspect of the visitor experience proposed by the 
Lascaux 4 project. There are interactive features allowing the visitors to immerse 
themselves in augmented reality experiences, while each visitor is also 
provided with a multifunctional digital “companion”, adapting to the profile of the 
visitor and allowing the visitor to interact with the scenographic device (via BLE 
technologies and Wifi). 

Lascaux 4 expects to attract 400,000 visitors each year. A total of EUR 
€57,000,000 was invested in the project, with €12,000,000 provided by  
EU funding. 

Right Lascaux 4 © Shutterstock

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Get Inspired! -  Design and Innovation - Cross-border Cooperation of 

Design Institutions in Digital Age

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Design & fashion

Dates

2018-2020

Budget

€1 400 000

More information

https://www.vsvu.sk/en/
events/oXz6MbXd/cross-
border-cooperation-of-design-
institutions-in-the-digital-age/  
and  
https://www.mak.at/
en/collection/research/
forschung_artikel?article_
id=1542957247421

This project received funding from Interreg V-A - Slovakia-Austrian the 2014-
2020 programming period. The project entails the creation of a Slovak-Austrian 
research cooperation on the topic of “Design and Innovation”. In the future, 
they plan to build an international network of designers and innovators, which will 
research the latest design knowledge and find answers and solutions to increase 
the sustainability of fabric design products through the optimal use of current 
technological developments, as well as to assess the habits and patterns of 
design products consumption.

The White Papers Database is the key output of the project. It is a collection 
of research on the most recent findings in the field of design and a repository 
of information on how the technological and digital progress can support 
sustainability-related aspects. The White Papers Database offers various 
materials that are the result of activities and research carried out by the Slovak 
Design Center in cooperation with its project partners. Furthermore, the results  
of the project have been also used for the development of the MAK DESIGN 
LAB, an exhibition organised within the framework of the Vienna Biennale For 
Change 2019.

The partner organizations in the project are professional institutions for design and 
applied arts - in Bratislava the Slovak Center for Design (SCD) and the Academy 
of Fine Arts in Bratislava (VŠVU), in Vienna MAK - Österreichisches Museum für 
angewandte Kunst / Gegenwartskunst and Die Angewandte - Universität für ange 
Art in Vienna. 

Right: Design and Innovation © Petra Rjabinin 2019

   
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13 . Just Transition Fund (JTF)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 19.3 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

The Just Transition Fund (JTF) is a new financial instrument within the Cohesion 
Policy, and the first pillar of the Just Transition Mechanism (JTM). It aims to 
provide support to territories facing serious socio-economic challenges arising 
from the transition towards climate neutrality. The JTF can facilitate the 
implementation of the European Green Deal, which aims to make the EU climate-
neutral by 2050. Its main objectives are to alleviate the impact of the transition 
by financing the diversification and modernisation of the local economy and by 
mitigating the negative repercussions on employment.

All

Actions

Type of actions

In order to achieve its objective, the JTF can support: 

Research, development 
& innovation, 

Product, service and 
infrastructure development, 

Developing creative 
& technical skills,

Digitalisation & new 
business models.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Investments in Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, including 
microenterprises and start-ups;

Creation of new firms, including business incubators;

Research and Innovation;

Investments in regeneration and decontamination of brownfield sites, 
land restoration and including, where necessary, green infrastructure and 
repurposing projects;

Investments in digitalisation, digital innovation and digital connectivity;

Clean Energy;

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Just Transition Fund (JTF)

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
strategy/priorities-2019-2024/
european-green-deal/
actions-being-taken-eu/just-
transition-mechanism/just-
transition-funding-sources_en 

• 

• 

• 

Up- and reskilling of workers;

Job-search assistance;

Re-purposing of existing carbon-intensive installations.

While these remain the general approach for funding opportunities under the JTF,  
it is important to mention that Member States and relevant regional authorities 
need to further specify their needs and fields of activities in their Territorial Just 
Transition Plans.

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/find-funding/
eu-funding-programmes/
just-transition-fund_en 

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
strategy/priorities-2019-2024/
european-green-deal/finance-
and-green-deal/just-transition-
mechanism/just-transition-
platform-contact-page_en 

Cultural and creative organisations that focus their activities on sustainability, 
implementing the clean energy transition and achieving net-carbon neutrality, 
educating and training people in sustainable skills could seek funding from the Just 
Transition Fund. In addition, there are support options for organisations involved 
with revitalising areas previously dependent on fossil fuels or environmentally 
polluting industries. Projects compatible with the Green Deal and located or based 
in these territories facing serious socio-economic challenges from the transition to 
climate neutrality could also look for support from this fund. 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

In order to apply for funding from the JTF, EU countries prepare their Territorial 
Just Transition Plans (TJTPs) identifying the eligible territories that are 
expected to be the most negatively impacted by the green transition;

In the TJTPs, EU countries will need to identify the territories and sectors 
eligible for funding under the Just Transition Fund.

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14 . European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 99.26 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) is the main EU financial instrument for 
supporting jobs, social inclusion, education and training. The 2021-2027 
ESF+ will help Member States to tackle the socio-economic consequences of the 
Covid-19 outbreak, foster a skilled and resilient workforce that is ready for the 
transition to a green and digital economy, achieve high employment levels and fair 
social protection.

Type of organisation

Actions

All

Type of actions

Under shared management, the ESF+ 
Managing Authority in each EU Member 
State or region is responsible for making 
the ESF+ available to beneficiaries, based 
on the specific needs of each territory.

The level of ESF+ funding and the types of projects that are funded differ from 
one region and Member State to another depending on their particular investment 
needs and relative economic competitiveness. In 2021-2027, €98.7 billion will be 
made available to Member States and local authorities under shared management 
to finance the implementation of the principles of the European Pillar for 
Social Rights through actions in the area of employment, education & skills, 
and social inclusion. 

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The ESF+ can be a relevant financial instrument to support cultural and creative 
stakeholders affected by the pandemic and willing to develop projects boosting 
employment, improving the quality of education or upskilling of 
workers. Moreover, ESF+ projects can also be aimed at promoting the social 
inclusion of people in vulnerable situations, the integration of marginalised 
groups and at combating all forms of discrimination through cultural activities 

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European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/find-funding/
eu-funding-programmes/
european-social-fund_en 

Check the website of your 
managing authority to learn more 
about funding opportunities

https://ec.europa.eu/
regional_policy/en/atlas/
managing-authorities/

and initiatives. Member States should use the ESF+ to support actions of social 
innovation and social experimentations, including those with a socio-cultural 
component. Include and Activate, is an example of a project funded under the 
2014-2020 ESF programme, which can serve as inspiration for future applicants. 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

ESF+ is subject to the Common Provisions Regulations, therefore to the same 
rules in terms of programming, management, implementation and monitoring 
as other structural funds (i.e., ERDF, Cohesion Fund, Just Transition Fund, etc.);

ESF+ is mostly delivered under shared management and managing 
authorities organise calls for projects adapted to their specific needs;

See the website of your managing authority for further details:  
https://ec.europa.eu/esf/main.jsp?catId=45&langId=en.

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Get Inspired! -  Include and Activate

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Literature, books and publishing,;

Visual arts.

Dates

2016-2019

Budget

€1 000 000 

More information

https://www.jakrs.si/en/reading-
promotion-in-slovenia/include-
and-activate/ 

Include and Activate is a project supported by the 2014-2020 European Social 
Fund (ESF). The main objective of the project was to foster social inclusion of 
vulnerable groups through cultural activities and trainings. The final goal 
of the project was to support the participating individuals’ transition to the labour 
market and to decrease unemployment and consequently, the share of people 
living below the poverty line.

The final beneficiaries of this project are individuals facing mental health issues, 
people with mental disabilities, those serving prison sentences scheduled 
for release and individuals participating in drug rehabilitation programmes. 
Experienced guides and mentors were supporting the participants to take 
part in activities based on creativity and culture and to acquire skills and 
competences that will enable them to actively integrate into society and 
subsequently gain access the labour market.

The project proposed training modules focusing on literature, illustration, 
digital literacy, creative writing and expression. As part of this project, an 
Almanac including literary texts (poems, short stories, essays, etc.) and illustrations 
conceived by the participants, has been published.

Between 2016 and 2019, the project supported over 300 people that attended 
the training, took part in theatrical performances or became co-authors of the 
Almanac. The Slovenian Book Agency coordinated the project, with the support of 
writers, poets, illustrators and other institutional partners from Slovenia. The overall 
budget available for this project was of approximately 1 million EUR, with the ESF 
contributing to 80% of the overall budget.

Right: Include and Activate © Mohai Balazs
copyright

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European Social Fund Plus (ESF+)

 
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15 . Support to mitigate Unemployment 
Risks in an Emergency (SURE)

Total programme budget

Mission

EUR 100 billion 

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
business-economy-euro/
economic-and-fiscal-policy-
coordination/financial-assistance-
eu/funding-mechanisms-
and-facilities/sure_en 

The SURE programme is a temporary funding instrument to support Member 
States that need to mobilise significant financial means to fight the negative 
economic and social impacts of the coronavirus outbreak on their territory. 

Actions

SURE provides financial assistance in the form of loans to affected Member States 
to address sudden increases in public expenditure for the preservation of 
employment. Specifically, these loans seek to support Member States to cover 
the costs directly related to the creation or extension of national short-time work 
schemes, and other similar measures they have put in place for the self-employed, 
as a response to the current crisis. As of May 2021, the EU has provided nearly €90 
billion in back-to-back loans to 19 Member States, that have received all or part 
of the requested amount. 

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The SURE initiative can be particularly relevant for Member States willing to finance 
direct costs of cultural organisations and stakeholders that were strongly affected 
by the Covid-19 outbreak. Employers and employees working in all the cultural 
sectors can then benefit from wage subsidy schemes, measures supporting 
self-employed workers or seasonal workers but or training linked to short-
term work.

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SURE

Who can apply?

• 

• 

The financial instrument has a temporary nature, 
as its duration and scope are limited to tackling the 
consequences of the coronavirus pandemic;

The instrument can finance Member States’ short-time 
work schemes, and other similar measures, helping to 
protect jobs;

• 

The Member States that can benefit from this temporary 
funding instrument are: Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, 
Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, 
Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, 
Slovenia and Spain.

© Shutterstock, 2021

 
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16 . Recovery and Resilience  
Facility (RRF)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 723.8 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

The Recovery and Resilience Facility is a key component of NextGenerationEU, a 
temporary recovery package of the European Union to support the Member States 
hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Facility seeks to promote socio-economic 
cohesion territorially, mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 
pandemic, and prepare the Member States to fully seize the opportunities offered 
by the digital and green transitions. 

Type of organisation

Actions

All

Type of actions

Developing business & 
management skills; 

Financing for scaling up; 

Financing for direct costs; 

Developing creative 
& technical skills; 

The financial support provided by the Recovery and Resilience facility totals EUR 
672.5 billion. This amount consists of loans (EUR 385.8 billion) and grants (EUR 
338 billion), with a specific allocation defined for every Member State. To benefit 
from the support of the Facility, Member States have to submit their national 
recovery and resilience plans to the European Commission. Each plan sets out 
the reforms and investments to be implemented by end of 2026.

The plans adopted by the Member States shall contribute to:  

• 

• 

• 

Environmental sustainability;

Productivity;

Fairness;

•  Macroeconomic stability.

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Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF)

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Product, service and 
infrastructure development; 

Digitalisation & new 
business models;

Audience development; 

Networking & knowledge sharing; 

Internationalisation of activity /  
access to new markets 

Moreover, there are seven components of reforms and investment: 
scale up; power up; reskill and upskill; digital connectivity; public administration; 
renovation wave; and clean, smart and fair urban mobility.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

Member States can support their cultural and creative sectors via the Facility, 
as these sectors are strongly reliant on the overall state of the economy to 
perform well - and the Recovery and Resilience Facility has a substantial focus 
on competitiveness and innovation. Large cultural events can be a key 
economic driver and help to support cultural heritage and tourism, in a sustainable 
and safe way. Digitalisation can boost the modernisation of museums, 
archives, libraries, and cultural sites, thus leading to a quick post-pandemic 
recovery and to preparedness for new crises. Digitalisation can also offer 
opportunities for smarter, more creative, environmentally friendly, and healthier 
mobility patterns.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

Who can apply?

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
business-economy-euro/
recovery-coronavirus/recovery-
and-resilience-facility_en 

Check the national plans 
submitted by your country

https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-
economy-euro/recovery-coronavirus/
recovery-and-resilience-facility_en 

• 

• 

• 

A Member State must have submitted its recovery and resilience plan 
to the European Commission. The scope of potential support to cultural and 
creative sectors is defined individually by every country;

The plans detail how the Member States will address the challenges 
identified in the European Semester and how these funds will be made 
available at national level, including for cultural and creative sectors;

The plans submitted by the relevant national authorities can be accessed here:  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/business-economy-euro/recovery-coronavirus/
recovery-and-resilience-facility_en.

 
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17 . Citizens, Equality, Rights and  
Values Programme (CERV)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

The Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values programme (CERV) is a new EU funding 
instrument merging two previous funding programmes: the Europe for Citizens 
and the Rights, Equality and Citizenship programmes. The programme is aimed 
at: promoting and protecting EU values; promoting rights, non-discrimination and 
equality; promoting citizens’ engagement and participation in the democratic life 
of the EU, as well as raising awareness on their common European history; and 
preventing and combating gender-based violence and violence against children. 

Actions

In order to achieve these specific objectives, the programme has four strands with 
specific objectives:  

• 

Union values strand: this strand funds projects which contribute to 
nurturing and sustaining a rights-based, equal, open, pluralist, inclusive 
and democratic society. Through a system of intermediaries, the European 
Commission is funding mostly small and grassroots organisations as part of 
this strand, related to promoting and protecting the rule of law, fundamental 
rights and democracy;

EUR 1.68 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Product, service and 
infrastructure development; 

Networking & knowledge sharing; 

Digitalisation & new 
business models, 

Developing creative 
& technical skills.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/
info/strategy/eu-budget/
performance-and-reporting/
programmes-performance/
citizens-equality-rights-
and-values-programme-
performance_en

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/cerv 

Questions? Get in touch! 

EACEA-CERV@ec.europa.eu

77

CERV

• 

• 

• 

Equality, rights and gender equality strand: this strand supports 
actions to promote equality, tackle discrimination and improve responses 
to racism and xenophobia, in the form of hate speech and hate crime, both 
on- and offline. It also addresses the vulnerabilities of specific groups and 
communities particularly affected by discrimination, such as Roma, Jews, 
Muslims, migrants, people of colour and people of African descent;

The citizens’ engagement and participation strand: it supports action 
to make the voices of people heard and increase inclusion and democratic 
participation, as well as building a more democratic EU, by supporting the 
activities of civil society organisations and other relevant organisations active 
in promoting rights and values at local, regional and national level. In the area 
of European remembrance, it supports projects that commemorate defining 
events in modern European history, including the causes and consequences of 
authoritarian and totalitarian regimes as well as education and research about 
crimes such as the Holocaust;

Daphne strand: this strand will finance activities based on preventing and 
combating gender-based violence and violence against children, including 
online violence.

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The citizens’ engagement and participation strand is particularly relevant for 
the cultural and creative sectors, as funding opportunities under this strand 
support activities aimed at reflecting on European diversity and values, 
and encouraging tolerance and respect, mutual understanding, 
intercultural dialogue and reconciliation. 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Applicants need to include a partnership of at least two organisations;

Partnerships need to include different organisation types (local 
authorities, civil society organisations, research and archival institutes, cultural 
organisations, memorial and learning sites, etc.);

Partnerships need to develop different types of activities (training 
activities, publications, online tools, research, non-formal education, public 
debates, exhibitions, collection and digitisation of testimonies, innovative and 
creative actions, etc.);

Partnerships need to involve people from different target groups;

Activities must take place in any of the eligible countries: EU Member 
States, including overseas countries and territories and listed EEA countries.

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18 . Asylum, Migration and Integration  
Fund (AMIF)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 9.9 billion 

Sector

The AMIF is the successor programme of the Asylum, Migration and Integration 
Fund (AMIF), which was set up in the 2014-2020 period. AMIF has a specific focus 
on early-integration measures, with a possibility for higher than standard co-
financing rate for local and regional authorities, and civil society.

All cultural sectors

Actions

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Research, development 
& innovation; 

Product, service and 
infrastructural development.

The new programme predominantly focuses on early stages of integration 
and the overall aims are the following:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

Developing and fostering the Common European Asylum System, 
including its external dimension;

Supporting legal migration to the Member States and facilitating the 
integration of third-country nationals;

Reducing irregular migration and improving the effectiveness of return 
and re-admission in third countries;

Enhancing solidarity and fair sharing of responsibility between 
the Member States.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/
funding/asylum-migration-
and-integration-funds/asylum-
migration-and-integration-
fund-2021-2027_en 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
funding-tenders/opportunities/
portal/screen/home  

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://ec.europa.eu/info/
departments/migration-and-
home-affairs_en#contact 

79

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)

The AMIF is implemented under shared, direct or indirect management. The 
largest part of the resources (63.5% of the total budget) are to be allocated to 
the Member States’ programmes under shared management. The remaining part 
(36.5% of the total budget) are to be allocated to a thematic facility to be used for 
specific actions (implemented by the Member States nationally or transnationally), 
Union actions (direct/indirect management), emergency assistance (shared, or 
direct or indirect management), transfers of beneficiaries of and applicants for 
international protection and resettlement (shared management) and the European 
Migration Network (direct management).

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The second objective of the AMIF that focuses on integration activities is an 
area where the cultural and creative sector can be involved and receive support. 
Projects that promote social dialogue on the topic of migration, and activities 
that foster exchange between migrants and local societies play an important role 
in supporting the integration of third-country nationals. Cultural projects can help 
enhance migrants’ active participation and inclusion within society, while also 
improving society’s acceptance and tolerance of its new community members. 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

• 

Legal organisations established in a Member State participating in the AMIF 
(all EU Member States except Denmark)3, or an overseas country or territory 
can participate in the calls for proposals;

Legal organisations established in third countries associated to the AMIF can 
participate in the calls for proposals;

International organisations may also be established outside the Member 
States participating in the AMIF;

Legal organisations (other than international organisations) established in third 
countries can participate in the call for proposals;

• 

• 

only as part of a consortium composed of at least two independent 
organisations, at least one of which is established in a Member State;

only for the third countries which are relevant for the call for proposals. 
These countries will be further specified in the calls for proposals if 
applicable.

3  The notification for participation by Ireland was pending at the time of writing.

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19 . Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 408 billion4 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

The common agricultural policy (CAP) supports agriculture and farmers through 
income support, market measures, and rural development. Rural development, 
the second pillar of CAP, in particular strengthens the socio-economic, socio-
cultural, and environmental sustainability of rural areas and has a strong impact 
on the broad cultural sector. Rural development focuses on fostering 
knowledge-sharing; enhancing competitiveness; promoting food chain organisation; 
encouraging the shift towards a climate resilient economy; preserving ecosystems; 
and supporting socio-economic inclusion and development. 

Private organisations; 

Actions

NGOs, non-profit & civil 
society organisations; 

Private or public cultural 
foundation / institute; 

Public service; 

Social enterprise.

The programme facilitates investments in rural infrastructures, including cultural 
ones. For instance, it helps to restore and protect cultural heritage, such as 
local food product production (with geographical indications and local productions 
methods, also as part of our cultural heritage), historical cultural sites, therefore 
promoting cultural activities, services, and rural tourism. In turn, these 
investments support rural areas to retain their attractiveness, and help to limit 
skill shortages, youth drain, and the deepening of territorial imbalances. The 
programme ‘Leader’, to which at least 5% of funding must go, supports bottom-
up approaches in which Local Action Groups (LAGs) lead local development. 

4  The budget and working programmes for the 2021-2027 

period is still being negotiated and the new programme 

will be launched in 2023. For this reason, the 2014-2020 

budget and working programmes will still be relevant until 

2023.

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Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

Type of actions

Product, service & 
infrastructure development 

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-
farming-fisheries/key-policies/
common-agricultural-policy/
rural-development_en 

Check the rural development 
programmes in your country

https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-
farming-fisheries/key-policies/
common-agricultural-policy/
rural-development/country_en  

Get in touch!  

https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-
farming-fisheries/key-policies/
common-agricultural-policy/
rural-development/country_en 

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

The CAP Strategic Plans and local action groups (LAGs), facilitates investments 
in cultural rural infrastructures. What is more, food mapping, labelling and 
food heritage, as well as the protection of the ways food is produced can also 
be inherently considered as cultural activities. Infrastructure and sustainability 
(environmental, cultural, socio-economic) are therefore key in benefiting the cultural, 
creative, and heritage sectors. Lake Peipus Festival, is an example of a project 
funded under the 2014-2020 European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development, 
which can serve as inspiration for future applicants.

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

Rural development programmes (RDPs) are co-financed by national 
budgets and may be prepared on either a national or regional basis;

Starting from 2022, a transition plan will be in place that uses current  
rules with regards to goals, instruments, and procedures. The regulation will 
remain the same for the next two years, until 2023, as negotiations are  
still ongoing;

EU countries are tasked with implementing their national and regional 
rural development programmes. Please check this webpage for more 
information on the current rural development programme in your country:  
https://ec.europa.eu/info/food-farming-fisheries/key-policies/common-
agricultural-policy/rural-development/country_en.

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Get Inspired! - Lake Peipus Festival 2017

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage;

Performing arts;

Visual arts;

Music.

Dates

2017

Budget

€38 000 

More information

https://enrd.ec.europa.eu/
projects-practice/lake-peipus-
festival-2017_en

The Lake Peipus Festival project was funded under the European Agricultural Fund 
for Rural Development (EAFRD) during the programming period 2014-2020. The 
Festival is an itinerant cultural event, where over a period of 8-10 days each 
summer, a fleet of boats sail from the northern end to the southern end of Peipus 
lake, stopping every day in a different harbour. Participants are invited to experience 
local culture, heritage and gastronomy in a variety of creative ways. 

The Festival was part of a larger marketing and development campaign to boost 
tourism, development, and awareness of the diverse coastal culture 
of Peipsimaa (Peipus land), an area which was economically lagging behind the 
rest of the country. The Festival promoted boating and sailing activities while 
also introducing local boating culture and heritage preservation. Boat owners and 
enthusiasts were encouraged to sail with the festival fleet and become part of 
the event itself. Different workshops (gastronomy, water rescue actions, fishing, 
model ship building) and activities were organised in each harbour, as well as free 
concerts. The festival also partnered with the Fisheries Information Centre on the 
delivery of several fisheries’ education workshops.

The project has been well received by both the local communities and the 
visitors, and the number of participating water vessels has increased considerably 
since its first year in 2017. Following a successful pilot phase of the initiative, 
a cooperation project was set up between 4 Local Action Groups (LAG) and 1 
Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) in order to upscale the event by helping to 
cover the marketing, communication and organisational costs and thus building 
synergies between funds available through the European Agricultural Fund for 
Rural Development (EAFRD) and European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture 
Fund (EMFAF).

The project was supported by a large number of actors, such as the Tartu Rural 
Development Association, the Jõgevamaa Cooperation chamber, Borderlands 
LEADER, PeipsiAlutaguse Chamber of Cooperation and the Peipus Fisheries Area 
Development Chamber. While the total budget of the project was €38,000, the EU 
contribution was of €25,200.

Right: Lake peipus festival © shutterstock

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Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)

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20 . European Maritime, Fisheries and  
Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 6.1 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Needs are identified locally through the 
Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAG). 
Check here the relevant FLAG in your 
territory:  
https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/
fpfis/cms/farnet2/on-the-ground/
flag-factsheets-list_en 

The EMFAF supports the EU common fisheries policy (CFP), the EU maritime policy 
and the EU agenda for international ocean governance. It provides support for 
developing innovative projects ensuring that aquatic and maritime resources are 
used sustainably. It also helps achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 14 
(‘conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources’), to which 
the EU is committed. Furthermore, the EMFAF helps fulfil the objectives of the 
European Green Deal.

Actions

The EMFAF supports innovative projects that contribute to the sustainable 
exploitation and management of aquatic and maritime resources. The programme 
focuses on four priorities: 

• 

• 

• 

• 

Fostering sustainable fisheries and the conservation of marine  
biological resources;

Contributing to food security in the Union through competitive and sustainable 
aquaculture and markets;

Enabling the growth of a sustainable blue economy and fostering prosperous 
coastal communities;

Strengthening international ocean governance and enabling safe, secure, clean 
and sustainably managed seas and oceans.

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

https://webgate.ec.europa.
eu/fpfis/cms/farnet2/ 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-
tenders/opportunities/portal/
screen/programmes/emfaf  

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://webgate.ec.europa.
eu/fpfis/cms/farnet2/
about/contact_en 

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EMFAF

Under FARNET (Fisheries Areas Network) and the Community-Led Local 
Development (CLLD) initiatives, there is a bottom-up approach that brings 
local people together to decide how they want to improve their area. They do so 
by setting up partnerships of civil society, businesses and public bodies, called 
Fisheries Local Action Groups (FLAGs).

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

Through the participation in local actions identified through the FLAGs, cultural 
and creative sector stakeholders can support cultural activities related to fishing 
and aquaculture. For instance, cultural heritage and food heritage projects, 
but also performing and visual arts activities might contribute to foster 
the economic and social vitality of coastal communities. From Denmark to the 
Rhodopes: bringing fisheries closer to citizens, is an example of a project funded 
under the 2014-2020 EMFAF predecessor programme (EMFF), which can serve as 
inspiration for future applicants. 

Who can apply?

• 

• 

EMFAF is subject to the Common Provisions Regulations, thus to the same 
rules in terms of programming, management, and monitoring of other 
structural funds (i.e., ERDF, ESF+, Cohesion Fund, Just Transition Fund, etc.);

EMFAF is delivered under both shared and direct management, meaning that 
calls can be issued by both local authorities and by the European Commission 
relevant authority, i.e. European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment 
Executive Agency (CINEA);

•  More information on FARNET can be accessed from:  

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/cms/farnet2/about/at-a-glance/farnet_en;

• 

The list of countries that can access the fund can be found here:  
https://ec.europa.eu/oceans-and-fisheries/funding/recipients-eu-funding_en.

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Get Inspired! -  From Denmark to the Rhodopes:  
bringing fisheries closer to citizens

Participating Countries

Sector(s)

Cultural heritage;

Visual arts.

Dates

2020-2021

Budget

€43 271 

More information

https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/
fpfis/cms/farnet2/on-the-ground/
good-practice/projects/denmark-
rhodopes-bringing-fisheries-
closer-citizens_en

This project was funded through the FARNET network, under the European 
Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF). FARNET brings together Fisheries Local Action 
Groups (FLAGs) and creates partnerships to fund local projects. In the case 
of this project, after a study visit to the FLAG located in Fyn, Denmark, a fishers’ 
association member from Bulgaria was inspired to adapt one of the Danish 
projects to his local area. The Bulgarian FLAG identified the strengthening 
of tourism and recreational fishing as priorities for the Rhodopes area, to be 
achieved while respecting the protected natural areas. This project aimed to boost 
tourism and improve local knowledge of fisheries heritage.

Through this FLAG project, the local Hunting and Fishing Society built a fisheries 
exhibition centre in an old building they owned and designed the material 
to be showcased, such as full-size replicas of the local fish species. They also 
developed a web platform which lists tourist and fisheries information such as 
accommodation, info points, fishing tackle shops, as well as shops and restaurants 
where visitors can taste fresh products.

Launched in 2020, the web platform received more than 1,700 visits in its 
first couple of months, and the exhibition centre is being used for school visits, 
environmental education activities, raising-awareness events as well as 
knowledge-sharing on topics relating to natural heritage. This project has already 
proved to be transferable and could represent a useful good practice for all 
fisheries areas with the potential to develop fisheries-based tourism, especially 
where the protected status of the area to be exploited makes it 
difficult to start new businesses. 

The project was coordinated by the Devin Hunting and Fishing Society in 
collaboration with the High Western Rhodopes FLAG. While the total budget of 
 the project was €43,271, the EU contributed with €36,780 through funding  
from the EMFF.

Right: Denmark To Rhodopos © Vladimir Peykov 2021

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© Shutterstock, 2021

21 . Neighbourhood, Development  
and International Cooperation  
Instrument (NDICI)

Total programme budget  
2021-2027

Mission

EUR 79.5 billion 

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

NGO, non-profit & civil 
society organisation; 

The Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) 
is the main instrument within the external action, covering EU cooperation with 
all partner countries, except for Pre-Accession countries and Overseas Countries 
and Territories. This instrument, combining a number of instruments under the 
previous Multi-Annual Financial Framework, is the EU’s main tool to contribute 
to eradicating poverty and promoting sustainable development, 
prosperity, peace, people and partnerships. The instrument also covers 
cooperation on human rights and democracy, peace and stability, as well as other 
global challenges. Funding from this instrument will also be used to finance actions 
related to learning mobility to, from or between third countries under the  
Erasmus+ programme. 

Social enterprise; 

Actions

Private or public cultural 
institute / foundation.

The thematic programmes that the instrument addresses are:  

• 

• 

• 

• 

Human Rights and Democracy; 

Civil Society Organisations; 

Peace, Stability and Conflict Prevention;

Global Challenges.

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NDICI

Type of actions

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

Networking & knowledge sharing;

Artistic and cultural 
mobility & residency; 

Audience development;

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets.

This funding instrument can indirectly support cultural activities that promote 
sustainable development in and international partnerships with partner countries 
through sub-grants, training, etc. The 2016 Joint Communication “Towards an EU 
strategy for international cultural relations” sets out the main work streams for 
culture in the EU’s external assistance, which remain valid also the 2021-2027 
funding programme, i.e., supporting culture and creative industries for social  
and economic development; promoting intercultural dialogue for peaceful  
inter-community relations and social cohesion; reinforcing cooperation on  
cultural heritage.  

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

Who can apply?

• 

• 

• 

The Instrument has a worldwide geographic scope;

A variety of actors from Member States and from outside the Union may have 
access to its funds and/or become partners to implement them;

Organisations from developing countries and territories, which are the main 
beneficiaries of this programme, are eligible for Union funding.

https://ec.europa.eu/international-
partnerships/global-europe  

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

Cultural actors might benefit 
indirectly from this programme 
(e.g. sub-granting, training, 
etc.). Please check for funding 
opportunities on the webpage 
of the EU Delegations in third 
countries: 
https://eeas.europa.eu/
headquarters/headquarters-
homepage/area/geo_en   

Questions? Get in touch! 

https://ec.europa.eu/international-
partnerships/infopoint_en

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© Shutterstock, 2021

22 . ACP-EU Culture

Total programme budget  
2019-2024

Mission

EUR 40 million

Sector

All cultural sectors

Type of organisation

All

Type of actions

Internationalisation of activity/
access to new markets, 

Developing creative 
& technical skills, 

Networking & knowledge sharing, 

Artistic creation. 

Managed by the Organisation of the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) 
and funded by the European Union, the “ACP-EU towards a viable cultural industry” 
Programme, ACP-EU CULTURE, aims to boost the potential of the cultural and 
creative sector and its contribution to the social and economic development of the 
African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. The programme aims to encourage 
entrepreneurship and cultural innovation, create new jobs and 
increase artists’ and cultural professionals’ revenues. It also seeks to 
raise the quality of ACP cultural productions and valorise artists and creators from 
OACPS countries on regional and international markets. 

Actions

ACP-EU Culture covers all cultural sectors, from cinema to tangible and 
intangible cultural heritage, and from crafts, fashion and design to visual and 
performing arts, literature, multimedia and digital creation. With a budget of €40 
million euros for the period 2019-2024, the programme is aimed at:

• 

• 

• 

• 

Encouraging entrepreneurship and cultural innovation,  
as well as the participation of youth;

Creating new jobs and increasing artists’ and cultural  
professionals’ revenues;

Raising the quality of ACP cultural productions;

Valorising the cultural productions and artists from ACP countries on 
international markets.

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ACP-EU Culture

Want to know more about the 
programme? Visit the webpage

How can the cultural and creative sectors benefit in 
2021-2027?

https://www.acp-ue-
culture.eu/en/about 

Want to apply? Visit the webpage

https://www.acp-ue-culture.eu/en/
support-for-the-cultural-creative-
sectors-in-acp-countries/  
and  
https://www.acp-ue-culture.eu/
en/support-mechanisms-for-
audiovisual-coproduction/  

Questions? Get in touch!   

info@acp-ue-culture.eu 

This funding programme is aimed at directly supporting the cultural and creative 
sectors until 2024 (an extension is possible). In particular, the programme provides 
funding opportunities to develop audio-visual and cultural co-productions 
in ACP countries, partnerships and knowledge-sharing practices among 
EU and ACP cultural stakeholders, as well as to promote artistic and cultural 
mobility. In particular, the specific types of support provided by this funding 
instrument will be based on the assessment of needs in the specific regional 
hubs established to manage the fund.

Who can apply?

• 

• 

Six regional hubs are tasked with launching calls for proposals and setting up 
eligibility criteria for each call;

Check here the opportunities offered by each regional hub:  
https://www.acp-ue-culture.eu/en/support-for-the-cultural-creative-sectors-in-
acp-countries/.

© Shutterstock, 2021

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