Details
- Funding programme or initiative
- Horizon Europe Framework Programme (HORIZON)
- Country
- Austria
- Belgium
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Albania
- Armenia
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Canada
- Faroe Islands
- Georgia
- Iceland
- Israel
- Kosovo
- Moldova
- New Zealand
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Republic of Korea
- Serbia
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Lighthouse
- Danube River and Black Sea basin
- Deadline date
- 30 March 2026, 17:00 CEST
- Status
- Open
- Publication date
- Mission Objectives
- 1. Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- 2. Pollution prevention and elimination
- 3. Carbon Neutral and Circular Blue Economy
- Associated Regions
- No
Description
The Mission Ocean and Waters funded SOS2LearnDBS project aims to equip local stakeholders with essential tools, expertise and resources needed to adopt sustainable water management practices, thereby supporting the protection and restoration of both freshwater and marine ecosystems. This initiative integrates cutting-edge, nature-based solutions with community participation to promote collaborative environmental sustainability efforts.
The project currently has an open call for Community-led Actions (CLed).
Objectives:
The Community-Led Actions (CLed) call targets projects that build capacities, foster collaboration, and participate in joint activities such as cooperative learning and knowledge exchange to support aquatic ecosystem protection and climate resilience. Proposals can focus on diverse areas including marine habitat restoration, plastic pollution reduction, sustainable fisheries programs, and marine litter cleanup, utilising approaches ranging from technology and nature-based solutions to social, cultural, and innovative financing methods for water restoration.
There are two types of supported projects with different funding available: Tier 1 projects receive EUR 200 000 to EUR 400 000 with a minimum of five projects selected (one per region: Upper Danube, Middle Danube, Lower Danube, Danube Delta and Black Sea), and Tier 2 projects receive EUR 500 000 to EUR 1 000 000 with a minimum of five projects selected (one per region: Upper Danube, Middle Danube, Lower Danube, Danube Delta and Black Sea).
Eligible applicants:
Eligible applicants are legal entities that operate within or represent local Mission Communities focused on water and marine restoration, pollution reduction, sustainable blue economy, or climate adaptation. This includes regional and local authorities, NGOs, educational establishments, locally based companies and SMEs, research organisations, and other formally constituted entities such as ports, islands and coastal communities, fishing or aquaculture groups, conservation organisations, waterfront cities, tourism sector bodies, and maritime infrastructure operators.
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, Türkiye or Ukraine. The consortium partners can be established in any EU Member State and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
Budget:
CLed funding support depends on the project tier: Tier 1 projects receive EUR 200 000 to EUR 400 000, while Tier 2 projects receive EUR 500 000 to EUR 1 000 000.
Duration:
Application deadline is 30 March 2026 (17:00 CET). Evaluation and selection for applications under the CLed call are planned for April to June 2026, with results to be announced in July 2026. The planned kick-off date for selected projects is September 2026.
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