1st Call for Proposals under Cross-border Programme Serbia – Montenegro 2021-2027

The 1st Call for Proposals under the Cross-border Programme Serbia – Montenegro 2021-2027 invites project submissions from eligible organizations as part of an EU initiative aimed at fostering cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro. The total budget for this grant opportunity is EUR 5,400,000, with funding offered through action grants.

This call was officially published on November 24, 2025, and submissions will be accepted until January 26, 2026. The program falls under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA III), which supports preparations for EU accession. Eligible applicants include local authorities, public institutions, non-governmental organizations, legal entities, and public-private partnerships, all of which must collaborate across both Serbia and Montenegro.

Geographically, the program targets the cross-border region encompassing 24 municipalities across South-Western Serbia and North and Central Montenegro, covering an area of 17,402 km² with a combined population of 664,522.

Projects under this call are expected to address various thematic priorities such as employment and social rights, business development and competitiveness, tourism and cultural heritage, health and well-being, education, and social protection. This reflects a focus on socio-economic development, regional stability, and fostering good neighborly relations.

The funding type is specifically designated as grants for the implementation of selected projects, with the associated application process likely to involve several stages including proposal submission, evaluation, and monitoring. Co-funding may be required, aligning with typical practices under EU funding schemes, although specific co-financing requirements will be detailed in the official guidelines.

Interested applicants are encouraged to review the Guidelines for Applicants and other relevant documents made available as part of the application process, which outline the eligibility criteria, application procedures, and further requirements regarding project details and submission formats. The success rates for proposals in these kinds of programs are generally competitive, and detailed information can be found in the accompanying documentation.

1st Call for Proposals under Cross-border Programme Serbia Montenegro 2021-2027. The reference number for this call is EuropeAid/185585/ID/ACT/RS. This is an open call for submission of grant proposals.

General Information:

The programme falls under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. The geographical zone for this call is Serbia. The total budget allocated for this call is 5,400,000 EUR. The type of grant is Action Grants. The call was published on 24/11/2025 and updated on 24/11/2025. The deadline for submission is 26/01/2026.

Documents:

The following documents are available: Guidelines for Applicants (24 November 2025, EN), Documents for Information (24 November 2025, EN), and Documents to be completed (24 November 2025, EN).

Summary:

This is a call for proposals for action grants under the Cross-border Programme Serbia Montenegro 2021-2027, funded by the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. The call, with reference number EuropeAid/185585/ID/ACT/RS, focuses on projects within Serbia, with a total budget of 5,400,000 EUR. The call was published on November 24, 2025, and the deadline for submitting proposals is January 26, 2026. Applicants should refer to the provided documents, including the Guidelines for Applicants, Documents for Information, and Documents to be completed, all available in English.

Eligible Applicant Types: The provided text does not explicitly list eligible applicant types. However, given that it is an Action Grant under the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, eligible applicants are likely to be organizations based in or working with Serbia and Montenegro, and could include NGOs, public institutions, local authorities, and other entities relevant to the program's objectives. Further details would be available in the Guidelines for Applicants document.

Funding Type: The funding type is Action Grants.

Consortium Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly state whether a consortium is required or if single applicants are allowed. The Guidelines for Applicants document would provide this information.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographical zone for this call is Serbia. While the program is a cross-border program between Serbia and Montenegro, the provided text specifies Serbia as the geographical zone. The full eligibility criteria would be detailed in the Guidelines for Applicants.

Target Sector: The provided text does not explicitly mention the target sector. The nature of the Action Grants and the cross-border program between Serbia and Montenegro suggests that the target sector could be related to areas such as economic development, environmental protection, social inclusion, or other sectors relevant to the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance. The Guidelines for Applicants document would provide more specific information.

Mentioned Countries: Serbia, Montenegro.

Project Stage: The provided text does not explicitly specify the expected maturity of the project. The nature of Action Grants suggests that the projects could be at various stages, from development to implementation. The Guidelines for Applicants document would provide more specific information.

Funding Amount: The budget for this call is 5,400,000 EUR. The funding amount available for individual projects would likely vary depending on the specific activities and objectives.

Application Type: The application type is an open call for proposals.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of Action Grants.

Application Stages: The provided text does not explicitly state the number of application stages. The Guidelines for Applicants document would provide information on the application process and any stages involved.

Success Rates: The provided text does not provide information on success rates.

Co-funding Requirement: The provided text does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required. The Guidelines for Applicants document would provide this information.

Summary:

This is the first call for proposals under the Cross-border Programme Serbia Montenegro 2021-2027, funded by the European Union's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA). The call, referenced as EuropeAid/185585/ID/ACT/RS, offers Action Grants with a total budget of 5,400,000 EUR. The geographical zone for this call is Serbia, although it is part of a cross-border program with Montenegro. The call was published and updated on November 24, 2025, with a deadline for submissions on January 26, 2026.

Applicants interested in this opportunity should carefully review the Guidelines for Applicants, Documents for Information, and Documents to be completed, all available for download. These documents will provide detailed information on eligibility criteria, application procedures, project requirements, and other relevant details. The specific thematic areas or sectors targeted by this call are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text, but they are likely related to the priorities of the IPA program and the cross-border cooperation between Serbia and Montenegro, such as economic development, environmental protection, or social inclusion. The exact requirements for consortium formation, project stage, co-funding, and the number of application stages are not specified in the provided text and would be detailed in the Guidelines for Applicants.