Budget

Funding rate: 100%, lump sum. Budget conditions / limitations: Up to €90,000 per project for consortia (€30,000 for the community activator, €60,000 por the pilot orchestrator) and up to €60,000 for individual applicants.

Key dates and deadline

Application period: 12 June 2026 - 15 September 2026, 13:00 CEST

Details

The SMART ERA 2nd Open Call for Followers Micro-Pilots aims to transfer the project’s methodology, results, and validation approaches to new rural regions. It supports the creation of micro-pilots that co-design and deploy Smart Innovation Packages (SIPs) tailored to local needs. Up to four projects will be selected, each contributing to demonstrating the replicability and impact of the SMART ERA approach. Projects must replicate the SMART ERA methodology by identifying regional needs and co-designing Smart Innovation Packages (SIPs), including technological and non-technological components, and deploying innovative solutions addressing rural challenges. SECTORS: Rural innovation, including socio-economic and environmental development, with potential domains such as mobility, healthcare, tourism, agriculture, commerce, and environmental and cultural protection.

Eligibility

Applicants must be legal entities established in EU Member States, Overseas Countries and Territories, or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, and operate in eligible rural regions within specified EU macro-regional strategies (Alpine, Baltic Sea, Adriatic-Ionian, Danube), excluding SMART ERA pilot regions; additional constraints apply regarding financial stability, conflicts of interest, and prior participation. Both individual applicants and consortia are allowed; consortia must include one Community Activator and one SME or Technical Provider acting as Pilot Orchestrator.

Additional information

How to apply?

https://opportunities.getonepass.eu/open-opportunities/smart-era/69e0cc798d7e7a35db6a8071