THEPS Newsletter #20: Vox populi, vox THEPS!
Hello,
How are you going to celebrate Europe Day this Saturday?
We are going to enjoy some Romanian mamaliga, have a shot of the Latvian Riga Black Balsam, read Bulgarian Rene Karabash’s International Booker Prize-nominated book “She Who Remains” and enjoy this year’s Eurovision Song Contest official playlist. And because life is good, we’re also going to enjoy a pomegranate (a favourite in Montenegro, which we expect to join us in 2028).
Issue 20 is quite personal and fun:
- The THEPS Survey Results
- “You Are the Priority” begins on 25th May
- LIFE Climate Action - Standard Action Projects (SAP)
- AI‑Powered Women
- Nominate Your Brilliant Young People for “Young European of the Year”
- Local opportunities for Montenegro
- What the Future Holds
The THEPS Survey Results
We are thankful for your time and feedback! We firmly believe that if you do something for the people, the voice of the people must be heard. This is the beauty of Europe, vox populi!
We will definitely consider your answers. They are very close to what we have already been doing for the last 6 months.
Here is what you thought.
What type of follower are you?
How many years have you worked with EU grants (Erasmus+, CERV, Creative Europe, etc.)?
Which sections or topics do you find most valuable (Select all that apply)?
Should we continue to share opportunities about local funding?
“You Are the Priority” begins on 25th May
Our initiative, “You Are the Priority”, will explore your honest opinions on your work on European programmes, the National Agencies, partnership dynamics, and what else you’d like to be available to you. It will be an extensive survey. Meaning, you will have to take your time and fill it in. And while we wouldn’t force you into doing more than you already have to do, we will send the results to the European Commission. We’re not joking. They need to hear from you because let’s face it, they don’t allow us to tell them like it is.
And it will be 100% anonymous!
LIFE Climate Action - Standard Action Projects (SAP)
The European Commission has opened the LIFE‑2026 Climate Governance & Information call, supporting projects that help implement, monitor, and enforce EU climate legislation. The programme funds actions that improve
- climate governance,
- build green skills,
- raise awareness,
- strengthen the capacity of public authorities, private actors, and civil society organisations.
The eligible activities include
- behavioural‑change campaigns,
- support for national and local climate strategies,
- sustainable finance actions,
- greenhouse‑gas monitoring,
- LULUCF inventories,
- carbon‑removal registries, and
- knowledge‑sharing on the EU Emissions Trading System.
The call is open to legal entities established in EU Member States, EEA countries, and associated countries:
- public bodies,
- NGOs,
- research organisations,
- SMEs, and
- international organisations.
The projects typically request €0.7–2 million, with a maximum EU co‑funding rate of 60%, and the topic’s indicative budget is €4 million.
Your proposals must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal in a single‑stage procedure.
Deadline: 22 September 2026 at 17:00 CEST.
AI‑Powered Women
Calling all women founders, innovators, and purpose‑driven troublemakers (the good kind). AI‑Powered Women has opened applications for its global programme that mixes leadership development, AI skills, certification, and a community of women who are building the future, yes, we are going to say it, one algorithm at a time. Think of it as a confidence boost, a tech upgrade, and a networking explosion rolled into one.
The participants get access to AI training, expert mentors, leadership labs, and even the chance to join the programme’s flagship conference at MIT. It’s open to women from any country, any sector, and any stage of their entrepreneurial journey, as long as they’re building something with purpose.
Next cohort deadline: varies by track, but the platform currently lists rolling deadlines with new cohorts opening throughout the year
(Your safest bet: apply early because the spots fill fast.)
Apply here.
Nominate Your Brilliant Young People for “Young European of the Year”
Do you work with a young person who makes you think, “Wow, Europe is in good hands”?
Then stop everything and tell them to apply for the Young European of the Year Award, one of Europe’s most inspiring recognitions for youth leadership, activism, and social impact.
Every year, the Schwarzkopf Foundation, together with the European Youth Parliament, celebrates young people (18–26) who are building a more open, fair, pluralistic, and solidary Europe. These are the changemakers fighting discrimination, defending human rights, empowering communities, and proving that Europe’s future is not just bright, it’s loud, brave, and beautifully diverse.
The winner gets:
- €5,000 to implement their own project (yes, their idea, not a template!)
- A place in a European network of young leaders
- A seat on the jury of the Schwarzkopf Europe Award
- Visibility, credibility, and a platform to amplify their voice
If you know a young person who is already doing something extraordinary (or dreaming of doing it), this award is literally made for them.
The application asks for a project idea that promotes a pluralistic, inclusive, peaceful Europe. They’ll describe:
- Who the project is for
- Where it will happen
- What activities they’ll run
- The timeline
- Any partners or collaborators
Deadline: 17 May 2026, 23:59 CEST
Read more here.
Local Opportunities
Montenegro: Things are getting serious now! Montenegro has opened a local funding call supporting civil society organisations that work on EU integration, democratic reforms, and public policy. The programme aims to strengthen the role of CSOs in monitoring reforms, improving public dialogue, promoting EU values, and helping citizens understand and participate in Montenegro’s EU accession process.
Eligible organisations are Montenegrin CSOs engaged in areas such as rule of law, human rights, anti‑corruption, public administration reform, civic participation, and watchdog activities. Projects may include policy analysis, advocacy, awareness campaigns, citizen engagement, research, and initiatives that improve cooperation between civil society and public institutions. This call is designed to empower local actors who contribute directly to Montenegro’s democratic development and EU integration journey.
Read more about it here and send this email to your Montenegrin friends!
What the Future Holds
The future is bright, and it should be fun. Thank you for this!
