Open topic on reinvigorating and shielding European democracy
- Funder
- European Commission · Horizon Europe
- Award amount
- €2,000,000 – €3,700,000
- Deadline
- May 4, 2027
- Eligible countries
- European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, Iceland, Switzerland, Israel, Global
Summary
Forthcoming EU call topic HORIZON-CL2-2027-02-DEMOCRACY-09-two-stage · HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions. Part of call HORIZON-CL2-2027-02-TWO-STAGE: Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society - 2027 - Two-stage. Opens 2027-03-02; next deadline 2027-05-04 (first stage). Topic page: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-CL2-2027-02-DEMOCRACY-09-two-stage
Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: - EU institutions and national decision-makers, civil society organisations and other societal actors and citizens at large are better equipped, with new data, knowledge and methods, to confront threats and challenges of democracies as well as to enhance their inclusiveness and participatory elan. - Strengthened citizens’ long-lasting engagement in the democratic life, including but going beyond electoral processes, and increased trust in democratic institutions.
Scope: The Political Guidelines for 2024-2029 of the European Commission[1] announced a new European Democracy Shield, and the communication[2] was adopted in November 2025. Building on the European Democracy Action Plan[3] and the Defence of Democracy Package[4], this initiative aims to safeguard, strengthen and promote democracy in the EU and to reinforce public trust. The Democracy Shield will aim to reinforce citizens’ participation and engagement in the democratic life, promote free and fair elections and support free and independent media. It will also address the increasing threats to democratic systems, institutions and processes within the EU, often driven by various hostile actors aiming to undermine citizens’ trust in democracy and its institutions. In addition, the Commission has also adopted a Civil Society Strategy[5], the LGBTIQ+ Equality Strategy 2026-2030[6], the Anti-Racism Strategy 2026-2030[7], the Gender Equality Strategy 2026-2030[8], and the Roadmap for Women’s Rights[9].…
Summary as listed by the funder. Always read the full announcement for eligibility, limits and how to apply.
Read the full announcement →What European Union reviewers look for
- Most Horizon Europe calls score three criteria (the ERC uses excellence alone). Excellence: clarity and ambition of the objectives, and the soundness of the methodology.
- Impact: credible pathways to the expected outcomes, and measures to communicate and exploit results.
- Quality and efficiency of implementation: the work plan, resources and the consortium's capacity.
Read our guide: what funded applications do →
See how this call matches your research
Build a free research profile and Lantern Grants scores every open call against your work, tracks your deadlines and reminds you before they pass.
Get matched free