Circulation of European literary works

TOPIC ID: CREA-CULT-2026-LIT

Type of grant: Call for proposals

General information

Programme: Creative Europe Programme (CREA)

Call: Circulation of European literary works (CREA-CULT-2026-LIT)

Type of action: CREA-LS CREA Lump Sum Grants

Type of MGA: CREA Lump Sum Grant [CREA-AG-LS]

Status: Open for submission

Deadline model: single-stage

Opening Date: 15 October 2025

Deadline dates: 29 January 2026 17:00 (Brussels time)

Topic description

The action is expected to support around 40 projects, implemented either by a single entity (mono-beneficiary) or by a consortium of organisations (multi-beneficiary).

Each project will:

• promote the diversity of literature in the target country (or countries) by including works of fiction, with particular emphasis on those written in less widely translated languages;
• support the profession of literary translator and respect the principle of fair remuneration;
• propose the most effective distribution and promotion strategies, and the most appropriate book format, in order to ensure wide and easy access to European literary works and to contribute to the development of the readership of European literature;
• encourage collaboration between different actors of the book value chain: authors, translators, publishers, distributors, booksellers, libraries, literary events or festivals;
• contribute to the EU overarching priorities.

This action supports projects that translate, publish, distribute, and promote European works of fiction.

Themes and priorities

In line with the current cultural policy priorities, applicants should propose projects contributing to:

1. EU Overarching priorities

Applicants must describe in their application how, in the design and implementation of their projects, they intend to contribute to the EU's efforts in terms of greening and digital transition and respond to the priorities of inclusion and gender equality as well as the international dimension.

2. The following specific priorities:

1. 1. to increase the transnational circulation and the diversity of European literary works, through the translation, publication, distribution, and promotion of works of fiction, with particular emphasis on those written in less widely translated languages.
   2. to promote reading and the linguistic and cultural diversity of European literature to a large audience.
   3. to support the profession of literary translator, in line with the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration.
   4. to increase the competitiveness of the book sector by encouraging cooperation between different actors within the book value chain, notably between publishers, booksellers, and libraries.

This action complements the other initiatives or actions under Creative Europe support to the book and publishing sector such as the European Authors Day (reading promotion and discovery of European literature) and the European Union Prize for Literature (promotion of European emerging authors). Applicants are encouraged to look for synergies.

In addition, and as part of the EU support to Ukraine, projects aimed at providing literary works in the Ukrainian language to Ukrainian refugees and displaced people will be encouraged. In this context, the printing in Ukrainian of (non-translated) Ukrainian literary works will be eligible.

To support the profession of literary translator, in accordance with the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration, it is recommended that between 20 and 30% of the total project budget is allocated to the remuneration of translators and that translators are given recognition and visibility, particularly being credited, preferably on the cover page. Furthermore, publishers must sign contracts with professional literary translators, and reference them in the Creative Europe database. In this regard, publishers should respect national standards and follow best practices, referring to and using, the ‘Translators on the cover’ report and, as an example, the ‘Guidelines for fair translation contracts’ drawn up by CEATL.

Translation, publication, promotion, and distribution activities as well as activities addressing the themes and priorities described above. More specifically:

• Work packages of eligible works of fiction to be translated, published, distributed, and promoted, based on a sound editorial, distribution and promotion strategy.
• Activities to facilitate collaboration between different actors of the book and publishing value chain - authors, translators, publishers, distributors, booksellers, libraries, literary events or festivals.

The proposed activities should be grouped, in the application form (part B), in coherent work packages (i.e., major sub-division of the project). Each work package must have a corresponding list of activities, deliverables, milestones, and critical risks.

Start submission

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To access existing draft proposals for this topic, please login to the Funding & Tenders Portal and select the My Proposals page of the My Area section.

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