Capacity building for Ukrainian regional policy stakeholders

Call ERDFTA-2026 (ERDF-TA) funds capacity building for regional decision-makers in Ukraine to prepare for EU accession and future implementation of EU cohesion policy. Total call budget €240,000 with expected grant per project €220,000–240,000, funding rate 100%, project duration 9–18 months and submission deadline 26 August 2026, 17:00 CET via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Eligible applicants are legal entities established in an EU Member State (including OCTs) or in Ukraine (natural persons generally ineligible); funded activities include desk reviews, training and certified learning in Ukrainian, outreach, networking and sustainability measures. Financial support to third parties is not allowed and indirect costs are calculated at a flat rate of 7% of eligible direct costs.

Call type and objective

Summary

Call for proposals under ERDF-TA to strengthen the capacity of regional decision makers in Ukraine (deputy heads of oblast administrations responsible for EU integration, their teams and associations of subnational authorities) so they can participate effectively in the EU accession process and in future EU cohesion policy programming and implementation. Activities include desk reviews, training (including certified online courses in Ukrainian), peer-to-peer exchanges, networking, outreach and measures to ensure sustainability of learning materials.

Available budget:€240,000 total; typical requested grant per project expected between €220,000 and €240,000 ¹.

Who can apply:Legal entities (public or private bodies, including international organisations) established in eligible countries (EU Member States and Ukraine as specified in the call). Natural persons are not eligible except self-employed persons; affiliated entities, associated partners, subcontractors may participate under the rules in the call document.

1. 1What it funds: capacity-building technical assistance for regional/urban policy topics defined by EU cohesion policy and Chapter 22 acquis (trainings, desk studies, networking, online learning tools, outreach).
2. 2Eligible applicants: legal entities registered in eligible countries (coordination and consortium arrangements apply); public bodies and international organisations are eligible; register in the Participant Register (PIC) before submission.
3. 3Grant form and rules: budget-based mixed actual cost grant; eligible project duration normally 9–18 months; financial and operational capacity checks apply; financial support to third parties is not allowed for this call.

Proposals must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal using the ERDF-TA application form and Annex templates. See the Topic page for the full call document, detailed eligibility, award criteria and submission instructions Topic page. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Full call documentation, templates and submission are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page: ERDF-TA-2026 UAACQUIS22.

Call overview and purpose

Short description

This is an open single-stage Call for Proposals (ERDF-TA-2026 UA-ACQUIS22) launched under the Technical Assistance at the initiative of the Commission for ERDF, Cohesion Fund and JTF (ERDF-TA). The action funds capacity-building activities targeted at regional-level decision makers in Ukraine (notably deputy Heads of oblast administrations in charge of EU integration, their units and associations of subnational authorities involved in interregional coordination). The action aims to increase awareness and practical understanding of EU cohesion policy, Chapter 22 acquis and Interreg objectives, to stimulate peer-to-peer learning and networking, and to secure sustainability of results through online training materials and knowledge transfer in coordination with the Ukrainian Ministry for Development of Regions and Territories.

Expected impact:Ukrainian regions equipped with knowledge, best practice and skills to actively participate in the EU accession process and in cohesion policy planning and implementation; decision makers capable of advancing regional strategies, engaging at national policymaking and international cooperation; sustainability achieved by making learning materials available online for future officials. Expected outcome: increased awareness at subnational level, knowledge exchange and networking, online education tools availability.

Call identifiers and administrative dates:Call ID: ERDFTA-2026. Topic title: Capacity building for Ukrainian regional policy stakeholders. Opening date: 10 June 2026. Submission deadline: 26 August 2026, 17:00 CET (Brussels). Single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System. Indicative evaluation: September 2026; award information: November 2026; grant signature: December 2026 ¹.

Eligibility and participation

This call uses the ERDF-TA Project Grants type of action and the ERDF-TA Multi & Mono Model Grant Agreement. The programme period is 2021-2027 and it is managed by DG Regional and Urban Policy. Applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies) established in eligible countries as defined in the call. International organisations are explicitly eligible. Natural persons are not eligible except self-employed persons (sole traders).

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: public bodies, private legal entities, international organisations, NGOs and other legal entities established in eligible countries; affiliated entities are allowed; associated partners, subcontractors and third parties giving in-kind contributions may participate in other roles. Natural persons are NOT eligible except for self-employed persons (sole traders). Entities subject to EU restrictive or conditionality measures are ineligible. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register and pass legal entity validation.
2. 2Consortium Requirement: No minimum consortium composition is imposed (consortium composition: n/a in call text). The call can be implemented by single beneficiaries (mono-beneficiary) or multi-beneficiary consortia. A coordinator is required for multi-beneficiary grants. Consortium agreements are recommended but not mandatory unless specified.
3. 3Beneficiary Geographic Scope: Applicants must be established in eligible countries: EU Member States and Ukraine (explicitly mentioned). Exceptional participation from entities in other countries may be allowed if considered essential by the granting authority. Target activities must take place in the eligible country(ies) (i.e. Ukraine and other eligible countries if participating).
4. 4Funding Type: The financial mechanism is an EU action grant — budget-based mixed actual cost grant under ERDF-TA. The grant may include actual costs and unit cost / flat-rate elements per the ERDF-TA MGA rules.
5. 5Target Sectors / Themes: Thematic scope is regional and urban development, EU cohesion policy, and Interreg thematic objectives. Eligible themes are those in the cohesion policy regulatory framework (policy objectives in Article 5 of the CPR and Interreg specific objectives in Article 14 of the Interreg Regulation) and further defined by the EU acquis on decision making, specifically Chapter 22 of the accession negotiations.
6. 6Project Stage: The call targets capacity building, awareness raising, training development and networking — suitable for projects at the development, validation and demonstration stages focused on training, knowledge transfer and institutional capacity strengthening rather than R&D.
7. 7Eligible Activities: desk reviews, data collection and analysis; training and learning activities and certified courses in Ukrainian; outreach, communication and networking activities; activities to ensure project sustainability such as preparing and publishing online course materials; networking events; peer-to-peer exchanges; complementarity with other EU-funded TA initiatives is required.
8. 8Duration: Projects should normally range between 9 and 18 months (extensions possible via amendment if justified).
9. 9Project Budget and Funding Amount: Estimated available call budget €240,000. Project requested grant amount expected between €220,000 and €240,000. Funding rate in the Grant Agreement will apply (the call text indicates reimbursement at funding rates fixed in the Grant Agreement and refers to standard ERDF-TA funding rules, including up to 100% funding for eligible cost categories under specific conditions).
10. 10Application Type and Submission: Open call; single-stage submission via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System only (no paper submissions). Applicants must complete Part A online and upload Part B (PDF using the mandatory template), plus mandatory annexes and supporting documents. Proposal Part B is limited to 70 pages.
11. 11Nature of Support: Direct financial support in the form of a grant (money). Financial support to third parties is explicitly NOT allowed under this call (D.1 Financial support to third parties: not allowed for this call).
12. 12Co-funding Requirement: No mandatory co-funding percentage is imposed in the call text; applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources to implement the project and to contribute their share where relevant (own contributions, income generated, or third-party contributions may be indicated). Public bodies and international organisations are exempt from certain financial capacity checks. Financial capacity checks apply to beneficiaries requesting more than €60,000 unless they are public bodies or international organisations.
13. 13Evaluation and Award: One-stage submission and one-step evaluation by an evaluation committee. Formal checks for admissibility and eligibility; operational capacity assessed; award criteria: Relevance (40 points), Quality (40 points), Impact (20 points). Individual thresholds: Relevance >= 21, Quality >= 21, Impact >= 11. Overall pass mark 60/100. Ranking by score; tie-break rules prioritise Relevance then Impact then Quality, with possible additional prioritisation based on portfolio synergies.
14. 14Application Stages: Single-stage submission + evaluation, then invited applicants enter grant preparation (dialogue with Commission to finalise Grant Agreement). In evaluation the stages are: admissibility/eligibility check, operational capacity check, award criteria scoring (Relevance, Quality, Impact), ranking and invitation to grant preparation. So effectively 2 major stages (1 submission/evaluation; 2 grant preparation/award) though the grant preparation itself is iterative.

Detailed administrative, financial and procedural conditions

Key administrative rules and supporting documents:Proposals must be complete and submitted using the forms inside the Submission System. Required submission elements: Application Form Part A (online), Application Form Part B (PDF using the ERDF-TA Part B template), mandatory annexes and supporting documents (CVs of core team, activity reports of last year, list of previous/key projects for last 4 years, any templates available in Part B). Proposals must be readable, accessible, printable and Part B is limited to 70 pages. Applicants must confirm mandate to act for all applicants and sign declarations of honour before grant signature.

Budget, payments and cost rules:Available call budget: €240,000. Expected requested grant per project: between €220,000 and €240,000. Form of grant: budget-based mixed actual cost grant with unit cost/flat-rate elements under ERDF-TA MGA. Eligible budget categories: A Personnel (A.1 employees; A.2 natural persons under direct contract; A.3 seconded persons; A.4 SME owners/natural person beneficiaries unit costs; A.5 volunteers unit costs), B Subcontracting, C Purchase costs (C.1 travel & subsistence unit costs, C.2 equipment depreciation, C.3 other goods/works/services), D Other categories (D.1 financial support to third parties: not allowed), E Indirect costs flat-rate 7% of eligible direct costs (A-D except volunteers and any exempted categories). Non-deductible VAT is eligible in principle but VAT paid by public bodies acting as public authority is not. Project budgets are expected to be cost-effective and balanced. Prefinancing normally up to 70% of the maximum grant amount; reporting and payment modalities described in the MGA and Data Sheet. Certificates (CFS) and prefinancing guarantees may apply depending on beneficiary type and thresholds ¹.

1. 1Permitted and not permitted costs: Eligible costs follow ERDF-TA MGA Article 6 and Annex 2 rules. Financial support to third parties is NOT allowed under this call. Subcontracting is permitted but should be exceptional; procurement rules and best value-for-money must be applied. Volunteers and SME owner unit cost options are explicitly allowed where applicable and calculated per MGA rules.
2. 2Project duration and milestones: Typical duration 9–18 months. Deliverables, milestones and reporting requirements to be defined in Annex 1 of the Grant Agreement and managed via the Portal Grant Management System.
3. 3Financial capacity and operational capacity checks: Beneficiaries must demonstrate stable and sufficient resources. Financial capacity checks are normally done for beneficiaries requesting more than €60,000, except public bodies and international organisations. Operational capacity assessed via team CVs, activity reports and list of previous projects; public bodies and international organisations exempt from operational capacity checks.
4. 4Liability and recoveries: Liability regime for recoveries defined in the Grant Agreement Data Sheet and may include limited joint and several liability, unconditional joint and several liability or individual financial responsibility depending on the grant set-up. Prefinancing guarantees may be requested from the coordinator.
5. 5Reporting and audits: Continuous reporting via the Portal Continuous Reporting tool, periodic reports (technical and financial) in the Portal Periodic Reporting tool, financial statements in euro using official exchange rates, supporting documents and record-keeping for at least the period set in Data Sheet (typically 5 years) and subject to checks, reviews, audits by Commission services, OLAF, EPPO and ECA.

Evaluation criteria and award process

Evaluation procedure:All proposals will undergo admissibility and eligibility checks, then operational capacity checks, then evaluation against award criteria by an evaluation committee. Successful proposals will be invited to grant preparation. Scores determine ranking and funding decisions within the available budget. Tie-breaking rules apply (priority: Relevance, then Impact, then Quality). Applicants may challenge evaluation outcomes via complaint procedures described in the evaluation result letter.

1. 1Award criteria and weighting: Relevance 40 points (threshold 21), Quality 40 points (threshold 21), Impact 20 points (threshold 11). Overall pass mark 60/100.
2. 2Key expectations under Relevance: clear objectives, added value to EU cohesion policy, European dimension, relevance to multiple stakeholders, alignment with EU accession Chapter 22.
3. 3Key expectations under Quality: sound logic and methodology, quality of consortium and team, robust management and risk mitigation, cost-effectiveness and realistic timetable.
4. 4Key expectations under Impact: ambition and long-term effects on target groups, dissemination and outreach, sustainability and continuation (including online availability of materials and uptake by next generation of officials).

Application templates, forms and supporting documentation

Applicants must use the ERDF-TA Application Form templates available in the Submission System. Part A is filled online; Part B is downloaded, completed and uploaded as a PDF. Required annexes include CVs of core project team, activity reports of last year, list of previous projects for last 4 years and any call-specific annexes stated in the Submission System. Part B must follow the ERDF-TA Part B structure: project summary; 1 Relevance (background, needs analysis, complementarity); 2 Quality (concept, methodology, consortium setup, teams, management, quality assurance, risks); 3 Impact (target groups, dissemination, sustainability); 4 Work plan and work packages (WP1 management, WP2 training/delivery etc.); 5 Other (ethics, security) and 6 Declarations. Page format and layout rules: A4, Arial >= 9pt, minimum margins 15 mm, Part B max 70 pages. Templates and Model Grant Agreement (MGA) available in the call document reference documents.

1. 1Application form structure (Part B outline): Cover page; Project summary; 1. Relevance (background/general & specific objectives, needs analysis, complementarity with other actions and EU added value); 2. Quality (concept and methodology, consortium set-up, project teams and CVs, management and decision-making, quality assurance, cost-effectiveness, risk management); 3. Impact (ambition, dissemination, sustainability); 4. Work plan, work packages, activities, resources and timing (detailed WPs, deliverables, milestones, staff effort, subcontracting justification, timetable); 5. Other (ethics, security); 6. Declarations; Annexes (CVs, activity reports, list of previous projects).
2. 2Mandatory administrative forms (Part A) items: participants list with PIC codes, coordinator contact, budget summary, declarations and mandates, bank account details for payments, LEAR appointment and legal entity validation during grant preparation.
3. 3Supporting document templates to upload: CV templates for key personnel, list of previous projects template, activity report template and any call-specific annexes. Use the slots in the Submission System to upload documents in the correct categories to ensure admissibility.

Risk management, synergies and complementarity

The call requires proposals to demonstrate complementarity and synergies with existing EU-funded initiatives for Ukraine (examples listed in the call: U-LEAD with Ukraine, EU4Reconstruction, POLARIS, TIPS4Ukraine, UCORD, URBACT IV, DG REGIO TA Action on border regions). Proposals must explicitly describe how the action avoids duplication, builds on existing training materials where appropriate, fills identified training lacunae and ensures added value. Risk management must identify operational, delivery, reputational and political risks (including risks related to the Ukraine context) and mitigation measures; specify indicators, baselines and targets for objectives.

1. 1Mandatory demonstration of complementarities with other projects and programmes and explanation in Part B how the proposed training builds on/links to existing materials and initiatives.
2. 2Sustainability requirement: preference for publishing learning materials online and coordinating with the Ukrainian Ministry for Development of Regions and Territories to ensure uptake and continuing use by future regional officials.
3. 3No financial support to third parties allowed under this call; networking, peer-to-peer learning and exchange visits are permitted activities.

Practical contacts, help and submission reminders

All proposals must be submitted electronically via the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. For technical help with the Portal use the IT Helpdesk. Non-IT questions and call-specific enquiries should be sent to REGIO-CONTRACTS@ec.europa.eu (include call and topic references). Consult the Online Manual and Topic Q&A on the Portal for submission guidance. Applicants are strongly advised to register organisations in the Participant Register (obtain PIC) well in advance and to complete applications well before the deadline to avoid technical issues.

Templates and application form structure:Applicants must use the ERDF-TA Application Form: Part A online (administrative data and budget) and Part B narrative (downloadable template). Part B contains the structured sections: Project summary; 1 Relevance; 2 Quality; 3 Impact; 4 Work plan and WPs; 5 Other (ethics/security); 6 Declarations. Annexes: CVs (standard), activity reports for last year, list of previous projects (last 4 years), any call-specific annexes. Page limit Part B = 70 pages. Minimum font Arial 9; A4; margins >= 15 mm. Ensure uploads are in correct Submission System slots to avoid inadmissibility.

Summary — What this opportunity is about and implementation advice

This ERDF-TA call finances a focused capacity-building action for regional policy stakeholders in Ukraine to prepare and equip regional decision makers to play a proactive role in EU accession and future cohesion policy implementation. Projects should deliver desk reviews, certified Ukrainian-language training modules, networking and dissemination activities and ensure sustainability via online training materials and tools in close coordination with the Ukrainian Ministry for Development of Regions and Territories. Proposals must demonstrate relevance to the cohesion policy regulatory framework and Chapter 22 acquis, avoid duplication with existing initiatives, propose cost-effective and realistic implementation, and present a robust plan for impact, dissemination and sustainability. The call is small-scale (€240,000 total), time-limited (9–18 months), and intended to produce practical learning materials and peer-to-peer exchange that can be reused by future cohorts of regional officials.

1. 1Key proposal focus: practical, context-specific training for deputy Heads of oblast administrations and their teams responsible for EU integration; peer learning and networking; production and online publication of Ukrainian training materials aligned with EU cohesion policy and Chapter 22.
2. 2Budget and scale: projects expected in the €220,000–240,000 range; demonstrate cost-effectiveness and appropriate staffing and subcontracting plan.
3. 3Evaluation emphasis: strong weighting on Relevance and Quality — clear alignment with call objectives, evidence of operational capacity and consortium competence, realistic workplan and quality assurance, and credible sustainability measures.

Footnotes

1. 1Call document, templates, Model Grant Agreement and additional guidance are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page: Call document and templates.

Key Opportunity Details

Who Should Apply (Eligibility)

Eligible applicants must be legal entities (public or private bodies, including international organisations) established in an EU Member State (including overseas countries and territories) or in Ukraine ¹. Crucially, beneficiaries must NOT be authorities in charge of implementing cohesion policy within the meaning of Article 71 of the CPR Regulation 2021/1060. Natural persons are generally not eligible, except for self-employed sole traders. Entities from other countries may be exceptionally eligible if their participation is deemed essential by the granting authority ².

Consortium Requirements:The call does not mandate a specific consortium composition (n/a), allowing for mono-beneficiary or multi-beneficiary proposals. However, all participants must be registered in the Participant Register and validated by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation) before submission ³.

Project Objectives and Scope

The general objective is to enhance the capacity of regional decision-makers in charge of EU integration, their units, and associations of subnational authorities involved in interregional coordination. This enables them to take a proactive role in Ukraine's accession process and the future implementation of EU cohesion policy ⁴.

1. 1Provide deputy Heads of oblast administrations and their subordinates with practical knowledge of EU cohesion policy rules, thematic priorities, decision-making processes, and the role of EU regions.
2. 2Stimulate peer-to-peer learning and experience exchange through joint activities for regional decision-making in the context of EU accession.
3. 3Ensure sustainability by making learning materials available online for the next generation of regional public officials, coordinated with the Ministry for Development of Regions and Territories of Ukraine.

Funded Activities and Scope

The scope focuses on raising awareness about EU cohesion policy and enhancing professional competences. Eligible activities include desk reviews, data collection, training and learning activities (with certificates), outreach, communication, networking, and sustainability measures ⁵.

1. 1Desk reviews on available capacity building resources to avoid duplication and identify training gaps.
2. 2Training and learning activities in Ukrainian covering EU cohesion policy concepts, decision-making, architecture, thematic coverage, Chapter 22 of accession negotiations, and best practices.
3. 3Networking with relevant stakeholders.
4. 4Outreach activities to engage other regional decision-makers and national stakeholders.

Budget and Cost Eligibility

The grant is a budget-based mixed actual cost grant (actual costs with unit cost and flat-rate elements). The funding rate is 100% for all cost categories. Indirect costs are calculated as a flat rate of 7% of eligible direct costs (excluding volunteers costs) ⁶.

1. 1Personnel costs (employees, natural persons, seconded persons, SME owners, volunteers).
2. 2Subcontracting costs (must be justified if >30% of total eligible costs).
3. 3Purchase costs (travel/subsistence using unit costs, equipment via depreciation, other goods/services).
4. 4Indirect costs (7% flat rate).

Financial support to third parties is NOT allowed. In-kind contributions are allowed but cost-neutral (cannot be declared as costs). VAT is eligible if non-deductible/non-refundable ⁷.

Evaluation Criteria and Thresholds

Proposals are evaluated on a 100-point scale. To be considered for funding, proposals must pass individual thresholds for each criterion AND an overall threshold of 60 points ⁸.

Application Requirements and Submission

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Paper submissions are not accepted. The proposal consists of Part A (administrative info filled online) and Part B (technical description, max 70 pages, uploaded as PDF) ⁹.

1. 1Application Form Part A (online).
2. 2Application Form Part B (PDF template from Portal).
3. 3Mandatory Annexes: CVs of core project team, activity reports of last year, list of previous projects (last 4 years).

All participants must confirm they have the mandate to act for all applicants and that information is correct. A Declaration of Honour (DoH) must be signed by each beneficiary before grant signature ¹⁰.

Grant Management and Payment

Upon signature, beneficiaries receive prefinancing (normally 70% of the maximum grant amount) 30 days after entry into force or financial guarantee submission. There are no interim payments; the balance is paid at the end of the project based on the final grant amount calculation ¹¹.

A prefinancing guarantee may be required if financial capacity is not satisfactory. The grant agreement will specify the liability regime for recoveries (e.g., limited joint and several liability, unconditional joint and several liability, or individual financial responsibility) ¹².

Footnotes

1. 1Eligible countries include EU Member States and Ukraine. Entities from other countries are exceptionally eligible if essential. See Section 6 of the Call Document.
2. 2Exceptional funding for entities from non-listed countries is possible if the granting authority considers their participation essential. See Section 6.1 of the Call Document.
3. 3All beneficiaries must register in the Participant Register and obtain a PIC before submission. See Section 6.1 of the Call Document.
4. 4General and Specific Objectives are defined in Section 2 of the Call Document.
5. 5Eligible activities are listed in Section 2.3 of the Call Document.
6. 6Indirect costs are 7% of eligible direct costs. See Section 10.4 of the Call Document and Model Grant Agreement.
7. 7Financial support to third parties is not allowed. See Section 10.4 of the Call Document.
8. 8Award criteria and thresholds are detailed in Section 9 of the Call Document.
9. 9Submission requirements and page limits are in Section 5 of the Call Document.
10. 10Mandate and Declaration of Honour requirements are in Section 5 of the Call Document.
11. 11Payment arrangements and prefinancing details are in Section 10.5 of the Call Document.
12. 12Liability regimes and guarantees are described in Section 10.6 and 10.7 of the Call Document.