Overview
Funding for research projects that generate evidence-based tools and recommendations to strengthen local democracy, reduce inequality, and promote human rights in low-income and low-middle income countries. Targets EU institutions, national decision-makers, civil society organizations, and researchers working on democratic resilience and governance.Who Can Apply
Eligible applicants include legal entities from EU Member States, Horizon Europe-associated countries, and specified non-associated third countries. Consortia must involve a range of stakeholders, including non-academic actors and entities from low- and middle-income countries.Funding Details
Maximum funding per project: 6,000,000 EUR. Funding is provided as a lump sum, with eligible costs determined by the grant agreement.What Is Funded
Research on local democratic practices, decentralization, and the link between public service delivery and pro-democratic sentiment. Projects must focus on low-income and low-middle income countries, with an emphasis on inclusivity, gender, and marginalized groups. Supported activities include evidence gathering, toolkit development, stakeholder engagement, and participatory research methods.Technology / Maturity Requirements
Projects must operate at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 4 to 6, indicating validation in a laboratory or relevant environment.Key Dates
Application deadline: 2026-09-22T22:00:00Z.Application Process (High-Level)
Single-stage application process via the Funding & Tenders Portal. Proposals must include a detailed budget table and adhere to a 50-page limit for Part B of the application.Geographic Scope & Language
Eligible countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, United Kingdom, Switzerland. Application language: English.Notes
Projects must adopt a multidisciplinary approach, integrating social sciences and humanities disciplines. International cooperation and collaboration with entities in low- and middle-income countries are strongly encouraged. Data produced must comply with FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Re-usable).