Funding calls

The SoS2LearnDBS CLED funding call is now closed.
Results announcement: July 2026.

(day will be announced soon)

OPEN CALL
Evaluation External Expert

Applications open: 4 May – 15 May

Call for Expressions of Interest for Evaluation External Expert

The SoS2LearnDBS project invites qualified external experts
to support the final validation stage of the CLed Call
evaluation process.

Apply via EU Survey Call Information File

About the Role

The External Expert will support the final validation of the evaluation results after the evaluation committee has completed its assessment and ranking.

The expert is not expected to re-score proposals, but to assess the consistency, fairness and robustness of the evaluation results and rankings.

The selected expert may be asked to:
  • Review the compiled list of top-ranked proposals, including proposals proposed for funding and reserve list;
  • Validate the consolidated evaluation results;
  • Identify significant discrepancies or inconsistencies in scoring or assessment;
  • Provide an independent opinion to support the integrity of the evaluation process.

Who can apply?

Professionals with relevant scientific, technical or policy experience, including EU-funded project evaluation expertise. Relevant areas include:
  • Water management and aquatic ecosystems;
  • Nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration;
  • Social innovation and community engagement, including vulnerable communities;
  • Environmental governance and policy;
  • Circular economy and sustainable resource management;
  • EU-funded projects and evaluation processes.
Experience with EU-funded projects and evaluation processes is expected.

Why Participate?

By participating as an External Expert, you will contribute to a transparent and high-quality selection process for community-led projects supporting the objectives of the EU Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters and the Danube–Black Sea region.

The role offers:

A strategic contribution to project selection and funding decisions

Financial compensation for the work performed

Engagement with a diverse ecosystem of experts and stakeholders

The opportunity to support environmental restoration and community-led actions

CLed Call

Calendar

Here are the key steps since the application moment until the start of the CLED projects:

Launch of the open Call for Proposals

27th November 2025

Submission of proposals

Until 30th March 2026

Evaluation and Selection of proposals

April-June 2026

Announcement of results

July 2026

Contractual procedures with the selected applicants

Project’s kick off and implementation

From September 2026

What is the funding available in this call?

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:

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)

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)

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.

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.

What are the main objectives and expected type of activities of the projects funded under this call?

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 programs.
  • 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.

Each project (CLed action) shall have a duration between 18 and 30 months.

Who can apply?

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.

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

How to apply?

Download the call for Proposals

  • Read carefully the call for Proposals to understand the rules and prepare your project.

Develop your Project idea

  • Work on your Project idea
  • Build your consortium

Prepare your application

  • Prepare your answers to the online application form
  • Prepare the support documents (more details below in “call documentation”):
  • Budget template
  • Technical annex

Fill in the online application form

  • Don’t wait until the last minute! Remember that the whole application has to be submitted by 30 March 2026 (17h00 CET – Brussels time).

Submit your application

  • Submit your proposal in advance to ensure it won’t be affected by technical issues close to the deadline.
  • Once your proposal is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email. If it doesn’t show up in your inbox, it means your proposal hasn’t gone through. In such cases, please write to sosdbs@inova.business.

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.

CLed Call documentation

Applicants are encouraged to download and read all relevant files before proceeding with the development of their applications.

  • DOCUMENTS FOR APPLICANTS
  • Call for Proposals & Guidelines for Applicants
  • Factsheet summarising the call for proposals
  • Technical Annex template: to be uploaded into the application form. This template is a Word file to present a comprehensive description of the proposed project.
  • Budget template (UPDATED): to be uploaded into the application form. This template is an Excel file to present a simplified estimation of costs for the implementation of the proposed project.

Questions?

  • Please consult the FAQ section
  • Register in the info-session about the Call in order to clarify your doubts
  • If you still have doubts or questions regarding the Call, please contact us at sosdbs@inova.business

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Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. (Project No 101217667).

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