THEPS Newsletter #6: Funding Deadlines Are Near. Choose Your Partners Wisely
Your weekly guide to writing better EU projects!
Hello,
Your favourite source for funding opportunities and international cooperation, THEPS, is here with another edition of the newsletter. The deadlines are approaching. How far ahead are you?
A brilliant idea is just a brilliant idea. Without the right partners, it remains just a good thought. We know, finding good partners is not easy. We have crucial tips for you later. But before that, let’s see what we have in store for you:
- The Networks of Towns Call Is Open
- Quick News
- Statistical Data from Austria
- Tips & Tricks
- What the Future Holds
The New CERV 2026
Networks of Towns Call Is Open
The European Commission has officially opened the 2026 Networks of Towns call (CERV‑2026‑CITIZENS‑TOWN‑NT). It is one of the most accessible and impactful funding opportunities for municipalities, local authorities, and non‑profit organisations working on citizen engagement, democratic participation, and European values. The total budget for this round is €12 million, and the deadline is 16 April 2026.
The Networks of Towns strand focuses on long‑term cooperation between towns and communities across Europe, helping citizens experience the Union's diversity and understand the shared values that hold it together.
The 2026 call supports cross‑border partnerships that bring people together to explore what it means to be part of the European Union today. Projects should create spaces where citizens can meet, debate, learn, and imagine the future of Europe - not in abstract terms, but through real cooperation between towns.
The main objectives include:
- Strengthening citizens’ participation in democratic life at the local and the EU level
- Promoting EU values, fundamental rights, inclusion, and diversity
- Building sustainable networks of towns that work together beyond a single event
- Encouraging dialogue on the future of Europe and shared challenges
Your project can include a wide range of activities, such as:
- Citizen forums, debates, and public discussions
- Exchanges between towns
- Workshops, cultural events, and community initiatives
- Activities promoting inclusion, diversity, and participation
- Long‑term cooperation plans between municipalities
The emphasis is on meaningful engagement, not symbolic visits. The Commission wants projects that leave a trace. Things like new networks, new ideas, and new ways for citizens to participate.
Quick News
One: We strongly dislike gossip unless it’s stories like this one. Iceland is not currently scheduled to hold a referendum on EU membership in 2027 (the country froze the negotiations in 2015). No official announcement has been made by the Icelandic government, the Alþingi (parliament), or the European Commission.
However, stories circulate that Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir, Minister for Foreign Affairs, will propose such a change during the spring session of their parliament. If that happens, it can be understood that the government is aiming for a referendum in spring 2027.
If Iceland moves toward an EU membership referendum, Erasmus+ won’t change overnight. Iceland is already fully part of the programme through the EEA. But, in the long run, EU membership would open the door to far more funding opportunities, from cohesion funds to ESF+, and would make Iceland an even more attractive partner for long‑term cooperation. For Erasmus+ consortia, it would mean more stability, more programmes, and more strategic collaboration with the North Atlantic.
Imagine the youth exchanges, sustainability work, and Creative Europe-style projects about folklore, contemporary art, etc. Fingers crossed!
Two: The European Commission has launched the 2026 Erasmus+ Virtual Exchanges call, offering grants to support online, people‑to‑people dialogue between young people in the EU and the Neighbourhood East region. The goal is to promote intercultural understanding, digital skills, and critical thinking through moderated, small‑group online exchanges.
The call supports projects that:
- connect young people aged 13-30 through structured virtual dialogue,
- build media literacy and counter online polarisation,
- complement physical mobility with accessible digital formats, and
- strengthen cooperation between EU organisations and partners in Neighbourhood East.
Eligible applicants include universities, youth organisations, NGOs, and non‑formal education providers. Consortia must include at least four organisations from different eligible countries.
Deadline: 26 March 2026
Maximum grant: €500,000
More information and submission forms at the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.
Statistical Data from Austria
Austria, Austria, Austria... You're so generous. Here's what the funding rates in the country have recently looked like.
KA220‑VET
- 2025: 8 approved projects
- In comparison, 2024 saw 5 approved projects
KA220‑HED
- 7 approved projects
- Budget breakdown: 1 project at €250K, 1 project at €120K, 5 projects at €400K
- All projects have a 36‑month duration
KA210‑YOU
- 5 approved projects, each funded at €60K
KA210‑SCH
- 6 approved projects, each funded at €60K
KA220‑SCH
- 5 approved projects
- 4 projects at €400K
- All projects have a 36‑month duration
We are preparing an extensive Report on the funding rates for Erasmus+ 2025. Stay tuned!
Tips & Tricks
Let’s be honest. The hardest part of any project isn’t writing it, it’s finding partners who will actually do the work they’re funded to do. We’ve all survived those nightmare consortia where one organisation mysteriously disappears the moment tasks are assigned, deadlines approach, or emails contain the words “deliverable” or “report”.
Even at the draft stage, partner‑hunting can feel like speed‑dating with people who don’t read (...the call). So, here are some strict (but lovingly delivered - you must already be used to our sense of humour) rules to save your sanity at almost the last minute:
1. Friendship is not a selection criterion.
Do not include an organisation just because you like their director or once shared a conference coffee. If their profile doesn’t match the project needs, they’re out. Friendship ends where eligibility begins.
2. The “more money, fewer tasks” partner must go.
If someone starts negotiating like a toddler (“I want more budget, but I don’t want to do that part”), remove them immediately. This behaviour never improves later.
3. Budgets are not communism.
Yeah, we said it. Equal distribution is not a virtue. It’s a red flag. Follow the daily rates, follow the guidelines, and remember: non‑EU partners receive less, it’s an (un)written rule. Fair ≠ equal. Why? Because they don’t pay taxes here. This means we support them with our money. We are tired of certain pushy partners from certain applicant countries who demand to be paid the same. No.
4. Always include a newcomer in KA220.
It strengthens your proposal, shows capacity‑building, and the evaluators love it. Plus, newcomers often work harder than the “we’ve done 40 projects” veterans because they have something to prove. Please be careful here - a newcomer doesn't mean a new organisation!
5. Mix your cocktail of partners.
A consortium of only NGOs is a missed opportunity. Add a municipality, a university, a community centre, a school - something that proves you understand the real world. Add one partner from an EU-candidate country. One.
6. Associated partners exist. Use them.
Confession: We all forget them, but they add credibility, local reach, and political weight. Add them.
7. If they don’t read the call, they won’t join the project.
A partner who asks “What is KA220 again?” during the draft stage will not magically transform into a reliable workhorse later. This is only permitted for newcomers.
8. Watch their email behaviour.
If they take two weeks to reply during the draft phase, imagine how long they'll take during reporting. Exactly. Shoo.
9. Check their past performance.
Ask around. The EU project world is small. If three people say “they’re lovely but…” - run. If you don’t have these types of connections… check their website. ;)
10. If they can’t explain their role in one sentence, they don’t have one.
A good partner knows exactly why they’re there. A bad partner says, “We can do dissemination… or maybe training, but with fewer people… or whatever you need.” No, thank you. We can all “do dissemination and maybe training with fewer people”.
And finally, your partners must work, they must add value to your project and shouldn’t be greedy. It’s not that simple, we know. But we have something in store for you that should begin this summer.
What the Future Holds
Do you think we were a bit harsh above with the partners' criteria? Sorry, but someone needs to say it. The Erasmus+ programme is full of unprofessional people, "friendship" circles which ruin the chances of decent proposals just because a stubborn partner wants to add a useless organisation due to some promise and the inevitable greedy, pushy people who haven't contributed to the growth of the EU with absolutely anything. We'll help you get rid of them.
In the meantime, we have more and more subscribers. We'll ask you about your attitude towards this newsletter and the Erasmus+ programme in a short survey soon. As mentioned earlier, we'll also publish a comprehensive Report on the funding that happened in 2025!
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