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The SoS2LearnDBS CLed (Community-led Actions) Open Call is designed to support community-led actions that contribute to the Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters” objectives in the Danube River Basin and Black Sea regions.
Applications have to be submitted by 30 March 2026 (17h00 CET – Brussels time). Projects are expected to start in September 2026.
The Call will fund projects that empower local communities to take an active role in addressing environmental and societal challenges through the implementation of grassroots solutions by small consortia of regional partners. We are looking for innovative projects that can drive sustainable development through solutions that go beyond the state of the art and address Mission Ocean 2030 objectives and targets.
Eligible applicants are legal entities that operate within, or act on behalf of, local Mission Communities active in water and marine restoration, pollution reduction, sustainable blue economy, or climate adaptation.
All applicants must be legally established and capable of implementing the proposed activities under Horizon Europe rules.
The consortium leader must be located in one of the following countries: Albania, Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Georgia, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey or Ukraine.
The consortium partners can be established in any EU Member State and Horizon Europe-associated country (n.b. this category also includes Kosovo, which is associated to Horizon Europe).
The following types of entities are eligible to apply as consortium members:
- Regional and local authorities, including municipalities and regional administrations.
- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs), foundations, professional associations, and other civil society organisations engaged in local development, sustainability, or environmental protection.
- Educational establishments, such as schools, universities, or vocational institutions.
- Locally based companies and SMEs active in areas relevant to the call (e.g. eco-innovation, water management, sustainable fisheries), provided this does not conflict with State Aid rules.
- Research-performing organisations, including universities, public research institutes, and innovation centres.
- Other formally constituted entities fitting within the Mission Communities framework, including those representing:
– Ports and inland ports
– Islands and coastal communities
– Fishing or aquaculture communities
– Conservation groups
– Waterfront cities or regions
– Tourism sector organisations
– Maritime infrastructure operators
Objectives: Funded projects are expected to build capacities, foster collaboration, and participate in joint activities such as cooperative learning and knowledge exchange, while supporting the protection of aquatic ecosystems and climate resilience.
- Marine habitat restoration projects.
- Plastic pollution reduction initiatives.
- Sustainable fisheries programmes.
- Marine litter tracking and cleanup initiatives.
Proposals can focus on a range of areas, including technology, nature-based solutions, social and cultural approaches, or new ways of managing and financing water restoration.
Duration: Each project (CLed action) shall have a duration between 18 and 30 months.
Funding: There are two types of projects available within this Call. Applicants must select the type of project they want to apply to, depending on the Tiers of funding available: 1) Tier 1 projects of 200.000€ up to 400.000€. A minimum of 5 projects will be funded, 1 per region (Upper Danube, Middle Danube, Lower Danube, Danube Delta and Black Sea) and 2) Tier 2 projects of 500.000€ up to 1.000.000€. A minimum of 5 projects will be funded, 1 per region (Upper Danube, Middle Danube, Lower Danube, Danube Delta and Black Sea).
For more information on how to apply, the call documentation, guide for applicants, templates and access to the online application form, please refer to the source page of this announcement: https://sos2learndbs.eu/funding-calls/1st-sos2learn-danube-call-will-open-soon-documentation/
You can also register to the info-session in the dedicated page (available soon) and visit the FAQ section.
