Community of democracy practitioners and researchers
⋮
Share
Print
Last update: May 26, 2026
Last update: May 26, 2026
Community of democracy practitioners and researchers
Last update: May 26, 2026
Details
Location:
EU 27, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia ... EU 27, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, Ukraine
Member-only information. Become a member to access this information. Procurement notices from over 850+ sources of tenders and grants published by donors, development banks, foundations, and international financial institutions (IFIs) are available here.
The "Community of democracy practitioners and researchers" grant, under the HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-12 topic, aims to enhance the netw...
Organizations eligible to apply for this grant must include at least one public body with a policymaking role and one civil society organization among their beneficiaries or affiliated entiti...
This summary is generated by AI and may contain errors. Please verify key details against the original description and attachments.
Full summary is available with certain plans.
Register and select a membership plan to access this feature.
Call HORIZON-CL2-2025-01 has closed on 16/09/2025.
1122 proposals have been submitted.
The breakdown per topic is:
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-12: 3
Evaluation results are expected to be communicated in February 2026.
19 August 2025 Please read the published frequently asked questions and answers in the `Topic Q&A` section of the topic.
16 June 2025 Please note that the information about the additional eligibility criteria that applies to the Topic as indicated in the Work Programme is now also published on this Topic page.
10 June 2025 Please note that the technical issue has been solved and the details of the Destination of the topic are now displayed on the topic page.
02 June 2025
Please note that the topic page does not display the description of the destination due to a technical issue, but the full description of the 3 destinations (Democracy, Heritage, Social and Economical Transformations) that are relevant for the call are available in the Work Programme 2025 “Culture, creativity and inclusive society”. Please select from the Work Programme the destination relevant to your topic and consider the description when preparing your proposal.
Community of democracy practitioners and researchers
TOPIC ID: HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-12
Type of grant: Call for proposals
General information
Programme:
Call: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society - 2025 (HORIZON-CL2-2025-01)
Type of action: HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions
Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]
Status: Forthcoming
Deadline model: single-stage
Planned Opening Date: 15 May 2025
Deadline dates: 16 September 2025 17:00 (Brussels time)
Topic description
Expected Outcome:
Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
The networking and capacity-building work of the European network set up under HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-02-01[1] is strengthened and augmented.
Research and innovation communities in the field of democracy and civic deliberation and participation and citizenship education are less fragmented and better networked across Europe.
Researchers in democracy, including rule of law; practitioners in civic participation and deliberation; communication experts; and public authorities and governments have access to research results, innovative methodologies, and tools in the field of democracy and civic deliberation and participation and citizenship education through networking events, accessible platforms, databases, knowledge repositories, advice and capacity building on enhancing diversity and inclusion, civic participation, civic and citizenship education and innovative and experimental deliberation processes at all governance levels.
Public authorities and governments practice democratic innovation, by applying research results, innovative methodologies, and tools in the field of democracy and civic deliberation and participation and citizenship education which have been distilled by the network into useful “how-tos" and trainings for policymakers, public authorities, and governments.
Policymakers and research funding organisations are provided with proposals for future research agendas in the field of democracy.
Scope:
Creating a network for researchers (including from SSH disciplines), policymakers and civil society organisations to collaborate to formulate policy recommendations and to create knowledge-sharing opportunities was the goal of the HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-02-01 call topic[2]: to support a necessary tool to strengthen and renew European democracy. The goal of this current call topic is to strengthen, augment, and pursue the work of the network[3] of researchers in democracy together with practitioners of civic participation and deliberation and of citizenship education across Europe, previously set up. This network should contribute to the EU’s future policy to strengthen and renew democracy.
The selected proposal will establish an innovative successor network of democracy research organisations and practitioners of democratic innovation, which will:
Produce policy recommendations to strengthen and renew democracy in all governance levels and democratic debate in Member States and Associated Countries, drawing on the existing body of knowledge. These recommendations must be accessible, publicly available, and well disseminated including through a central open access repository.
Help policymakers in the EU and Associated Countries to design civic participation strategies for relevant policy areas, in conjunction with the European Commission’s Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy[4] as relevant.
Organise 2 retreats per year for policymakers from EU Member States, Associated Countries and EU institutions, targeting high-level officials, to learn and exchange from experts and peers on democratic strengthening and renewal, and encourage exchange on emerging or persisting challenges and threats to democracy, participation, and civic engagement.
Design capacity building activities on inclusive participatory and deliberative forms of democracy at different governance levels, including training and knowledge sharing.
Organise at least one conference on democratic innovations gathering researchers, practitioners, education bodies and EU and national policymakers.
Proposals should establish links to and seek complementarities with closely related actions, such as relevant R&I actions funded by Horizon Europe (such as the network established under HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-12[5]) or synergies with the Citizens Equalities Rights and Values programme (CERV)[6]. Specifically, it must build on, rather than repeat or reproduce, the work produced by Nets4Dem under HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-02-01. Proposals are also invited to build links with global communities addressing democracy.
The project should have a minimum duration of 36 months.
1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout
As described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
The page limit of the Part B of a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) using lump sum funding is 33 pages. In addition, it is mandatory to submit a detailed budget table using the template available in the Submission system.
2. Eligible Countries
As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
3. Other Eligible Conditions
If eligible for funding, legal entities established in non-associated third countries may exceptionally participate in this Coordination and support action as a beneficiary or affiliated entity.
In addition, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion
As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds
The granting authority can fund a maximum of one project.
As described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement
As described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants
Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025). [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].
As described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Specific conditions
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA):
Application form templates— the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE CSA)
Evaluation form templates— will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE CSA)
Guidance
HE Programme Guide
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
Lump Sum MGA
Call-specific instructions
Detailed budget table (HE LS)(version 3.3)
Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?"
Additional documents:
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 5. Culture, creativity and inclusive society
HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes
HE Programme Guide
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Start submission
The submission system is planned to be opened on the date stated on the topic header.
Get support
Please read carefully all provisions below before the preparation of your application.
Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant.
Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe.
Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management.
Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular.
National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’).
Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding.
IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc.
European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues.
CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal.
The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers.
Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.
Hidden
Market Intelligence
Discover the EU 27 market report
Explore key market trends, active sectors, major donors, and business opportunities across the development landscape.
EU 27, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, Ukraine
EU 27, Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, South Korea, Tunisia, Türkiye, UK, Ukraine
Horizon Europe will incorporate research and innovation missions to increase the effectiveness of funding by pursuing clearly defined targets.
The Commission has engaged policy experts to develop studies, case studies and reports on how a mission-oriented policy approach will work.
Mission areas
5 mission areas have been identified, each with a dedicated mission board and assembly. The board and assembly help specify, design and implement the specific missions which will launch under Horizon Europe in 2021.
Adaptation to climate change including societal transformation
Covers initiatives that strengthen public institutions, improve service delivery, and support transparent, accountable, and effective governance systems.
Key areas:
Public administration and civil service reform
Decentralization and local government strengthening
Anti-corruption and integrity frameworks in public bodies
Democratic processes, elections, and political institutions
Focuses on collecting data, generating new knowledge, and applying it to develop improved methods, technologies, products, and solutions across sectors.
Albania focuses on road modernization, rail upgrades, port expansion, and energy infrastructure to improve regional integration and support economic growth. EU cohesion and pre-accession funds are a major source of infrastructure financing. Investments aim to strengthen trade links with neighboring countries and enhance tourism accessibility. Governance reforms, fiscal capacity, and project implementation efficiency remain critical challenges.
Nr. of tenders: 7089 Nr. of grants: 2990 Nr. of donors: 533 Nr. of jobs: 22
Armenia has prioritised transport corridor upgrades, renewable energy expansion and digital infrastructure to enhance regional integration and competitiveness. Investments aim to strengthen Armenia’s role as a transit and services economy between Europe and Asia. The government has implemented regulatory reforms and sought foreign direct investment to modernise logistics and energy systems. Continued institutional strengthening and diversification beyond remittances and mining remain central to long-term resilience.
Nr. of tenders: 10747 Nr. of grants: 3043 Nr. of donors: 539 Nr. of jobs: 49
Haven't found what you're looking for? Get in touch with us using our contact page.
Where can I find international grant opportunities?
DevelopmentAid collects grant opportunities from bilateral donors, multilateral agencies, foundations, and international organizations in one centralized platform.
Who can apply for grants listed on DevelopmentAid?
Grants are typically open to NGOs, civil society organizations, research institutions, public entities, and sometimes private organizations or consortia.
Does DevelopmentAid help with grant applications?
DevelopmentAid does not write or submit applications, but it provides access to full call details, guidelines, deadlines, and donor information needed to apply.
