We continue to talk about EU programmes that are available to Ukrainian municipalities. The first article explored how Ukrainian municipalities can use the opportunities of the European Regional Development Fund to seek partners from other countries and attract funding. However, it would also be valuable to know about other opportunities that EU programmes open up for Ukrainian municipalities.
European Commission programmes and grants are important for municipal growth. These programmes can greatly contribute to the development of municipalities in Ukraine, helping to launch new and strengthening existing partnerships. They provide financial support for the implementation of projects in various areas such as education, environmental protection, social services, research, cultural and creative initiatives, etc. It is important to actively use these opportunities, as they will help municipalities to fully unleash their potential, find new and strengthen existing partnerships and achieve sustainable development.
Learning about the EC programmes is the first step towards their successful use. Today we will look at the EU programmes that extend to all regions of Ukraine. You can find out more about the EU programmes available to Ukrainian municipalities in our next articles. If you need additional advice on applying for one of the programmes funded by the EU, contact your Regional Office of the U-LEAD with Europe Programme.
1. LIFE Programme
Link to the programme:
Thematic priorities of the projects:
- Nature and biodiversity protection
- Circular economy and quality of life
- Climate change mitigation and adaptation
- Transition to clean energy
The programme co-finances 30% to 95% of the project budget.
Potential partners and how to find them
- EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Moldova, North Macedonia
- Legal entities of any form of ownership, local self-government bodies, state and regional public authorities, state, municipal or private institutions, for-profit or non-profit organisations, NGOs.
Check out some examples of implemented projects here.
Selection of project applications:
Follow the announcements of competitions here.
Please note that as of now, two calls for proposals are open:
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European City Facility: energy efficiency, energy sources and greenhouse gas emissions reduction projects.
Deadline for applications is 18 December 2024
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Capacity Building: projects aimed at increasing the institutional capacity of organisations, authorities and institutions to ensure the effective implementation of environmental protection measures, combating climate change, protecting biodiversity and sustainable development
Deadline for applications is 28 January 2025
2. HORIZON Programme
Link to the programme:
Thematic priorities of the projects:
- Adaptation to climate change, including social transformations
- Healthy oceans, seas, coastal and inland waters
- Climate-neutral, smart cities
- Healthy soil, nutrition
The programme co-finances 70% to 100% of the project budget.
Potential partners
- EU countries, other countries (see the detailed list here)
- State and local authorities, NGOs, research organisations, educational institutions, associations
Check out some examples of implemented projects here.
Selection of project applications:
Follow the announcements of competitions here.
Please note that as of now, over 100 calls for proposals are open.
3. ERASMUS+ Programme
Check out the programme and ERASMUS+ itself.
Thematic priorities of the projects:
- Education (higher, school, vocational, adult education)
- Youth
- Sports
- Jean Monnet Actions: supporting teaching and research in the field of European integration, promoting dialogue between researchers
The programme co-finances up to 100% of the project budget.
Potential partners
- EU countries, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, candidate countries for EU accession, other countries that have agreements with the EU on participation in the Programme
- State and local authorities, NGOs, educational institutions, research organisations, youth organisations, professional and student associations, individuals, other organisations active in the Programme’s areas such as education, youth and sports
Check out some examples of implemented projects here.
Selection of project applications:
Follow the announcements of competitions here.
Please note the following regarding Erasmus+ competitions:
Every year, Erasmus+ announces competitions to support projects in the fields of education, youth and sports. The stable application schedule of Erasmus+ allows all those interested to prepare for the competitions in advance, as the deadlines for the main areas are the same year after year.
Below are the upcoming months of opening of Erasmus+ youth, sport and education competitions:
Youth:
KA2. Cooperation among Organisations and Institutions:
- KA220-YOU — March
- KA2 CBY — March
KA1. Learning Mobility of Individuals:
- KA152-153-154 — February
- KA1 Virtual Exchanges — April
Sports:
KA2. Cooperation among Organisations and Institutions:
- KA2 CBS — March
- KA2 SCP — March
KA1. Learning Mobility of Individuals:
-
KA152-153-154 — February
Education:
KA2. Cooperation among Organisations and Institutions:
- KA220 — March
- KA2 СВНЕ — February
- KA2 Centres of Vocational Excellence — June
- КА2 EMDM — February
- КА2 Alliances for Innovation — March
KA1. Learning Mobility of Individuals:
- KA131, KA171, KA152-153-154, KA121-122 — February
- KA1 Virtual Exchanges — April
Download the current version of the Erasmus+ Programme Guide on the official website of the Erasmus+ programme. The guide is available in the Resources and Tools tab here.
By following this link, you can find the current version of the programme (guide), which includes detailed information about the programmes, application deadlines and participation requirements.
Find out further useful information on applying for Erasmus projects on the website of the National Erasmus+ Office in Ukraine.
4. Creative Europe Programme
Link to the programme:
Thematic priorities of the projects:
- Culture (architecture, cultural heritage, design, literature and publishing, music, performing arts; initiatives that promote and improve artistic and cultural cooperation at European level)
- Media (audiovisual industry; actions encouraging the competitiveness, innovation and sustainability of the European audiovisual sector)
- Cross-sectoral strand (initiatives that encourage innovative approaches and cooperation in the audiovisual and cultural sectors)
The programme co-finances 70% to 80% of the project budget.
Potential partners
- EU countries, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Armenia, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Norway, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Tunisia, Türkiye
- Any legal entity (including individual entrepreneurs) working in the field of culture, registered in the countries participating in the programme.
Check out some examples of implemented projects here.
Selection of project applications:
Follow the announcements of competitions here.
Please note that as of now, the following calls for proposals are open:
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Skills and talent development. Projects aimed at developing skills in the field of culture and creative industries, improving the professional training of cultural workers and creating new learning opportunities; municipalities are eligible as applicants.
Deadline for applications is 24 April 2025.
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Innovative Tools and Business Models. Projects aimed at developing innovative technology and new business models in the cultural sector; municipalities are eligible as applicants.
Deadline for applications is 16 January 2025.
5. Digital Europe Programme
Thematic priorities of the projects:
- High-performance computing
- Artificial intelligence, data and cloud services;
- Advanced digital skills;
- Ensuring the widespread use of digital technologies in the economy and society;
- Cybersecurity (only for EU member states).
The programme co-finances 50% to 100% of the project budget.
Potential partners
- EU countries, other countries (see the detailed list here)
- State and local authorities, NGOs, research organisations, educational institutions, SMEs
Check out some examples of implemented projects here.
Selection of project applications:
Follow the announcements of competitions here.
Please note that as of now, over 20 calls for proposals are open.
General advice
The best source to learn more about these European Union programmes is the official website of the European Commission. This resource offers all the necessary information, including programme descriptions, participation conditions, selection criteria and application procedures. In order to fully benefit from the opportunities provided by the European Commission, keep up with the latest news and changes in the programmes. Grant programmes may change, new ones may be added or old ones may be closed, so you should check the information regularly.
The EC website also has a special section dedicated to seeking partners for your future project. This will allow you to find potential partners with interests and expertise in relevant areas for joint work on European grant projects.
On the European Commission website, you can get your PIC code (Organisation Identification Code), which is mandatory for participation in EU grant programmes.
European Commission’s grant programmes can be an important resource for the development of Ukrainian municipalities. This is why it is essential not only to be aware of the opportunities, but also to actively use them to ensure the sustainable development and prosperity of your municipalities.
