Open Call Analysis: ScaleDem Piloting Programme

Looking to pilot and scale democratic innovations? The ScaleDem Piloting Programme offers up to €100,000 in equity-free funding, complemented by mentoring and capacity-building. Deadline: 31 March 2026.

About ScaleDem Piloting Programme

ScaleDem is a Horizon Europe project focused on strengthening democracy by improving how democratic innovations are scaled and adopted. It brings together research, practice, and policy to bridge the gap between evidence and real-world implementation.

The Piloting Programme supports organisations that want to test bold ideas for scaling democratic innovations. It focuses on four scaling dimensions: scaling out (reaching more people or places), scaling in (improving quality), scaling high (embedding participation into institutions and decision-making), and scaling deep (strengthening cultural resonance and democratic values).

Selected projects will run from October 2026 to September 2027 and will benefit from structured support, including capacity-building activities, mentoring, peer learning, and participation in both online and in-person programme events.

Why Apply to the ScaleDem Piloting Programme?

The Piloting Programme offers several advantages for selected organisations. Applicants can receive up to €100,000 in equity-free funding to test and implement their scaling idea. The programme provides a supportive and failure-friendly environment, allowing teams to experiment with approaches that may not fit traditional funding schemes.

Participants also benefit from mentoring and tailored guidance from the ScaleDem consortium, peer learning with other pilot projects, and capacity-building events designed to strengthen skills related to scaling democratic innovation. In addition, the programme offers networking and visibility opportunities through in-person meetings and online events.

Who Can Apply?

The call is open to a wide range of organisations working on democratic innovation. Eligible applicants include public authorities at local, regional, or national level; civil society and non-profit organisations; research institutions, universities, and think tanks; and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) or other innovation-driven organisations.

Applicants must be legally established in a country eligible under the Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-12. ScaleDem particularly encourages applications from organisations with experience in civic engagement, participatory governance, and democratic innovation, as well as consortia that combine different types of expertise. Applicants should already be active in democratic practice, even indirectly.

Ask yourself:

Do you want to try new ways to reach more people or communities? (Scale Out)
Are you looking to improve the quality of your initiative? (Scale In)
Do you want to engage decision-makers or embed participation in institutions? (Scale High)
Are you striving to achieve cultural resonance with your initiative? (Scale Deep)

If yes, the ScaleDem Piloting Programme is for you. We welcome both experienced teams and newcomers with bold ideas.

How to Apply to the ScaleDem Piloting Programme?

Applications must be submitted online through the EUSurvey platform. The application form must be completed in English and includes both narrative questions and document uploads.

Applicants may optionally submit a Declaration of Interest by 31 January 2026. This allows potential applicants to receive feedback and guidance before submitting a full proposal. All applicants are encouraged to carefully follow the application guidelines and ensure that all sections of the form are completed before submission.

Proposal Requirements

Applicants are required to submit a completed online application form, including a detailed project description outlining objectives, activities, milestones, and expected impact. Applicants must also provide CVs of core team members, a clear and realistic budget plan, and information on previous relevant projects, where applicable.

During the contracting phase, selected applicants may be asked to provide additional documents, such as a signed declaration of honour and ethics-related information.

Evaluation & Selection Process

All proposals undergo an initial eligibility check after submission. Eligible proposals are then evaluated by an independent jury composed of ScaleDem advisory board members, consortium partners, and randomly selected citizens.

Proposals are assessed against five criteria: relevance, impact, team quality, resource allocation, and sustainability. Each criterion is scored, and minimum thresholds apply. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a short online interview or pitch. Final selections are made based on overall scores, with geographical balance considered where scores are similar.

Additional Support Beyond Funding

Beyond financial support, selected projects receive mentoring and guidance from the ScaleDem consortium, take part in peer learning activities, and attend capacity-building events, while gaining international visibility and access to a European network of democratic innovators, allies, and stakeholders. The programme also offers networking opportunities through online sessions and in-person meetings, including a kick-off and a concluding meeting.

Important Dates

1st InfoDay Session: 20 January 2026, 18:00–20:00
2nd InfoDay Session: 29 January 2026, 10:00–12:00
Submission Deadline: 31 March 2026, 23:59 (local time of the applicant)
Remote Interviews: April–July 2026 (for shortlisted applicants)
Acceleration Programme: October 2026 – September 2027

Final Thoughts on ScaleDem Piloting Programme

The ScaleDem Piloting Programme is a strong opportunity for organisations seeking to scale democratic innovations in a structured and supportive environment. By combining funding with mentoring, learning, and networking, the programme helps bridge the gap between innovative ideas and sustainable democratic impact. Interested organisations are encouraged to attend the Info Day sessions and prepare their applications well ahead of the submission deadline.