Impact Funding Resources
Within the framework of the PoliRuralPlus project, a series of four open calls are anticipated. These calls are designed to attract and fund innovative proposals that align with the project’s overarching aims. The primary objective of these calls is to extend the impact of the PoliRuralPlus initiative, exploring new methodologies, technologies, and strategies for rural-urban development.
Start Date26 May 2025 End Date31 Jul 2025 Funding AmountEUR 30k to 100k Funding Resource TypeGrant
Funding ProviderPoliRuralPlus
Grant
PoliRuralPlus
Refer to Specific Objectives per Pilot Area
The calls aim to:
• Encourage innovative approaches to rural development that can be replicated or scaled across different regions.
• Promote collaboration among stakeholders from various sectors, including technology, agriculture, and regional planning, to address rural challenges in a holistic manner.
• Generate insights and solutions that can inform policy and practice, contributing to the broader objectives of balanced rural-urban development.
• Total projects funded: 5 - 15
• Duration of the call: 26 May - 31 July 2025
• Estimated implementation period: October 2025 - June 2026
Objectives of the Call
To fund applied, small-scale innovation projects that address specific rural-urban challenges in PoliRuralPlus pilot regions while contributing to the technical advancement of the project. Funded projects must:
• Develop and deploy practical, place-based digital applications aligned with PoliRuralPlus pilot-specific objectives (Section 2.4 of the Guidelines for Applicants).
• Translate promising concepts into action, moving from ideation to implementation by funding pilot activities that apply advanced technologies such as AI, machine learning, Internet of Things (IoT), geographic information systems (GIS), or data-driven decision tools.
• Be designed to be compatible with the PoliRuralPlus digital tools (Chapter 4 of the Guidelines for Applicants) and technical frameworks, allowing for smooth integration if required, including licensing and communication compatibility.
• Demonstrate replicability and scalability, showing how proposed solutions could be adapted and applied across other regions or contexts in the EU.
• Support the principles and values of the New European Bauhaus (NEB) by promoting sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics in the development of rural-urban solutions.
• Ensure that all data collected during implementation is incorporated into PoliRuralPlus tools, including the JackDaw platform and related AI components, to enhance decision-making capabilities and generate stronger project-wide results.
Who can apply?
1. Type of entities: Any type of entity can apply for the Develop call funding as long as they have the operational and financial capacity to carry out the tasks that they propose.
2. Individual or consortium applications: Single applicants or consortia of up to three entities are eligible to apply. In the case of consortia, one partner must act as the lead applicant (hereinafter referred to as the Coordinator). The contract for provisioning of financing will be concluded only with the Coordinator, who will be responsible for making internal arrangements within the consortium (e.g. a consortium agreement), distributing the funds, and coordinating reporting. All members of the consortium must be eligible under the same conditions listed here.
3. Eligible countries: Applicants must be legally established in an EU Member State or an Associated Country as outlined by the Horizon Europe rules.
