SoS2LearnDBS - OC#1 Transition Agenda
Supporting community-led transition roadmaps for aquatic ecosystem restoration, sustainable water management and a circular blue economy across the Danube River Basin and Black Sea region.
TYPE OF PROJECTS TO BE FUNDED: Development of community-led strategic roadmaps, known as Transition Agendas (TAgs), to support sustainable water management, aquatic ecosystem restoration, climate resilience and the transition towards a circular blue economy in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea region. Funded activities include baseline assessments, stakeholder consultations, co-creation workshops, participatory planning, governance frameworks, testing of monitoring protocols or data platforms, regulatory risk mapping and identification of long-term investment priorities. Projects must develop actionable, multi-year roadmaps rather than focus on large-scale physical implementation of restoration measures.
SECTORS / DOMAIN: Environmental protection, marine and freshwater ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable water management, climate adaptation, circular economy and sustainable blue economy, environmental governance and community-led development.
INDIVIDUAL OR CONSORTIUM: Applications must be submitted by consortia of 2 to 4 independent legal entities, which may be established in the same country or in different eligible countries. Individual applicants and natural persons are not eligible. The consortium leader must be established in the Danube–Black Sea region, and at least one consortium partner must demonstrate an established link with the targeted local or regional community.
SPECIFIC ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: Eligible applicants include regional and local authorities, municipalities, NGOs, foundations, civil society organisations, educational and research institutions, locally based SMEs active in relevant sectors, professional associations, industry bodies and community organisations. Consortium partners must be legally established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. The consortium leader must have been legally established no later than October 2024 and be based in one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Hungary, Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Poland, Italy, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Türkiye or Albania. Project activities must target and take place in one of five eligible regions: Upper Danube, Middle Danube, Lower Danube, Danube Delta or Black Sea. Applications must be submitted in English through the official application platform, including the Technical Annex, Budget Overview and required proof of legal registration. Organisations funded under the SoS2LearnDBS Community-Led Call are not eligible for this call.
SPECIFIC TOPICS OR CHALLENGES: Projects must contribute to at least one objective and target of the EU Mission "Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030": protecting and restoring marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity; preventing and eliminating water pollution; or making the sustainable blue economy carbon-neutral and circular. Proposals must also address at least one of the five Danube–Black Sea regional priorities: reducing municipal, industrial or agricultural water pollution; sustainable water quantity management and climate adaptation; ecosystem and biodiversity restoration; improved urban water management and protection of water sources; or strengthening governance and cross-border cooperation. Community participation, stakeholder collaboration and measurable, actionable transition pathways are central requirements.
PROJECTS DURATION: Between 4 and 12 months. Project implementation is expected to begin from 15 May 2027, with an indicative final implementation deadline of 14 June 2028.
BUDGET, FUNDING RATES AND PAYMENT CONDITIONS:
Funding rate: 100% of eligible costs through lump-sum grants.
Budget conditions / limitations: Total call budget of €1,125,000, supporting up to 15 projects. Three funding tiers are available: Tier 1 (€25,000–€50,000), Tier 2 (€50,000–€75,000) and Tier 3 (€75,000–€100,000). The maximum funding per organisation is €60,000 for Tiers 2 and 3. Subcontracting cannot exceed 30% of the requested grant. Indirect costs are calculated at a flat rate of 25% of eligible direct costs. Consortia must reserve at least 10% (Tier 1), 5% (Tier 2) or 3% (Tier 3) of their total project budget for travel and accommodation related to joint activities with the SoS2LearnDBS consortium. The call envisages funding between one and three projects per target region.
Payments: Indicative distribution for Tier 1: 50% pre-financing following signature of the Sub-Grant Agreement and 50% following approval of the final report. For Tiers 2 and 3: 35% pre-financing following agreement signature, 20% following approval of the mid-term report and 45% following approval of the final report. Payment schedules may be adjusted according to project duration, requested budget and financial viability.
Links
Closes
11/12/2026
Max funding per project
100.000€