Digital and media literacy as drivers for democratic and civic resilience

Overview

The funding opportunity HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10 aims to enhance democratic resilience through improved media and digital literacy as part of the Horizon Europe program under the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society cluster. The action type is categorized as a Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) using a lump sum grant mechanism. This call is open for submissions from May 12, 2026, until September 23, 2026, with grants expected to support three projects, each receiving between €3,500,000 and €4,000,000, out of a total budget of €12,000,000.

Eligible applicants include universities, research institutions, civil society organizations, and other relevant entities from EU member states, EEA countries, and some non-associated countries under specific provisions. The consortium requirement necessitates collaboration among multiple organizations, emphasizing a multi-actor approach.

The primary focus of the funded projects will be on combatting disinformation, understanding user engagement in digital spaces, and developing strategies that empower citizens to navigate digital information wisely, especially in crisis scenarios. This includes examining the role of technology and algorithms in influencing behavior and decision-making regarding media consumption.

Funding will support eligible costs such as personnel, equipment, and travel, and successful proposals are expected to produce frameworks for policymakers intended to strengthen democratic engagement through awareness and critical engagement with media. The evaluation process will be based on standard Horizon Europe criteria, and there is no mandatory co-funding requirement from applicants.

Overall, this initiative aims to equip European societies with the necessary tools and knowledge to foster informed democratic participation and resilience against disinformation, focusing on vulnerable populations throughout the region.

Detail

This EU funding opportunity, HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10, aims to bolster democratic resilience through enhanced media and digital literacy. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026 call. The action type is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (RIA), utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant agreement.

The planned opening date for submissions is May 12, 2026, with a deadline of September 23, 2026, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of funded projects are:

1.  Improved understanding among EU institutions and national decision-makers on fostering democratic resilience through media and digital literacy. This includes equipping societies to adapt to technological, political, and societal challenges.

2.  Empowered citizens who can navigate the digital landscape with discernment and critical thinking, actively engage with media and other information sources, and ensure informed democratic participation.

The scope of the research includes:

*  Addressing hybrid threats, foreign information manipulation, and interference (FIMI) to enhance democratic resilience across the EU. This aligns with initiatives like the European Democracy Action Plan and the Digital Services Act (DSA).

*  Recognizing preparedness as a collective responsibility, emphasizing the need to strengthen trust in institutions, especially during crises. Vulnerable groups, such as children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, ethnic or religious minorities, and those facing poverty or social exclusion, should be a particular focus.

*  Countering disinformation, which undermines public confidence and exacerbates crises. The research should emphasize the role of engaged, informed, and empowered citizens in ensuring democratic resilience.

*  Exploring user behaviors in the digital age, including how individuals seek, evaluate, and engage with information online and offline. This includes analyzing the emotional dynamics in the dissemination of disinformation and polarization on digital platforms, especially in crisis contexts.

*  Investigating how algorithms amplify emotive content, fostering polarization and undermining trust in democratic institutions and crisis response. The research should develop digital and media literacy strategies to counter emotionally manipulative narratives, such as populist and post-truth discourses.

*  Examining factors influencing digital literacy, information-seeking habits, and online engagement, with a focus on improving citizen participation and engagement through digital means (including civic tech) and informed decision-making.

*  Exploring the critical role of digital and media literacy in fostering societal resilience and information integrity, enabling citizens to navigate and resist misinformation and disinformation.

*  Planning a critical assessment of media and digital literacy initiatives to assess their effectiveness in enhancing citizens’ resilience and identifying new approaches to equip citizens against evolving manipulation tactics.

*  Identifying strategies to improve media literacy and digital and media literacy to enhance critical thinking, promote evidence-based decision-making, and counter the negative impacts of disinformation on democratic societies.

*  Utilizing computational tools, such as Social Network Analysis and Natural Language Processing, to map and mitigate the dissemination of disinformation across multiple platforms. This includes identifying Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour and analysing both textual and visual content to inform media literacy initiatives.

*  Identifying other relevant EU-funded projects related to media and digital literacy and exploring potential collaboration opportunities. Clustering and cooperation with other selected projects under this topic and other relevant projects are strongly encouraged.

*  Collaborating with the JRC to seek synergies with its work on innovation for democracy and public governance.

General conditions for participation include:

1.  Admissibility Conditions: Proposals must adhere to the page limits and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. The page limit for Part B of the RIA application is 50 pages. A detailed budget table must be submitted using the template in the Submission System.

2.  Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Some non-EU/non-Associated Countries have specific provisions for funding participants in Horizon Europe projects, as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3.  Other Eligible Conditions: The Joint Research Centre (JRC) can participate as a member of the consortium with zero funding or as an associated partner but will not participate in proposal preparation or submission.

4.  Financial and operational capacity and exclusion: As described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5.  Evaluation and award: The award criteria, scoring, thresholds, submission, and evaluation processes are detailed in Annex D and Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also in Annex F.

6.  Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum, as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021. The granting authority may object to a transfer of ownership or exclusive licensing of results for up to 4 years after the action's end.

Specific conditions:

*  Application form templates are available in the Submission System.

*  Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) and evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations.

*  Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide.

*  Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include the Lump Sum MGA.

*  Call-specific instructions, a detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums are available.

Additional documents include:

*  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction

*  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 5. Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

*  HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes

*  HE Programme Guide

*  HE Framework Programme 2021/695

*  HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764

*  EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509

*  Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme

*  Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment

*  EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement

*  Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual

*  Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions

*  Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

The budget overview for the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society 2026 call includes various topics, each with its own budget, opening date, deadline, contribution amounts, and indicative number of grants. The HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10 topic has a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, is a single-stage action, opens on 2026-05-12, closes on 2026-09-23, and has an indicative contribution range of 3,500,000 to 4,000,000 EUR, with an indicative number of 3 grants.

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, and self-registrants after logging into the portal.

The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.

General support and FAQs are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal.

This funding opportunity is focused on research and innovation actions aimed at strengthening democratic resilience by improving media and digital literacy among citizens. It seeks to address the challenges posed by disinformation, foreign interference, and the amplification of harmful content through algorithms. The goal is to empower citizens with the skills and knowledge to critically evaluate information, engage in informed democratic participation, and resist manipulation. Projects should assess existing media literacy initiatives, identify effective strategies, and utilize computational tools to map and mitigate disinformation. Collaboration with other relevant projects and the JRC is encouraged to maximize impact and synergy. The funding is provided as a lump sum, and proposals must adhere to specific guidelines regarding page limits, eligibility, and financial regulations.

Find a Consultant to Support You

Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: Public authorities, schools, universities and training institutions, youth initiatives, civil society organisations and associations, social partners, businesses, local networks and communities, and citizens from an early age are eligible applicants. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as member of the consortium selected for funding as a beneficiary with zero funding, or as an associated partner. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The actions are HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions and HORIZON Innovation Actions.

Consortium Requirement: A multi-actor approach is required, implying a consortium.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, with specific provisions for some non-EU/non-associated countries.

Target Sector: The target sector is Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society, focusing on media and digital literacy, democracy, and civic resilience. It also touches upon areas like ICT, education, innovation, and security/cybersecurity due to the focus on disinformation and online manipulation.

Mentioned Countries: While no specific countries are mentioned, the focus is on the European Union and associated countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is research and innovation actions, innovation actions and coordination and support actions.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic, with contributions ranging from around 3,000,000 EUR to 6,000,000 EUR.
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 8 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 2 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-04 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 4 500 000 EUR, contributions 4000000 to 4500000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-09 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 16 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 4 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3500000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 15 000 000 EUR, contributions 4500000 to 5000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 5000000 to 6000000 EUR, 2 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 15 000 000 EUR, contributions 4000000 to 5000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 15 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 3750000 EUR, 4 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 11 500 000 EUR, contributions 5000000 to 5750000 EUR, 2 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-HERITAGE-07 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 5 000 000 EUR, contributions 4500000 to 5000000 EUR, 1 grant
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 10 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 3300000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 EUR, contributions 3000000 to 4000000 EUR, 3 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-09 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 15 000 000 EUR, contributions around 3750000 EUR, 4 grants
HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-TRANSFO-10 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 3 500 000 EUR, contributions around 3500000 EUR, 1 grant

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: Success rates cannot be determined from the provided text.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned, but Horizon Europe projects often involve some level of co-funding, which would need to be confirmed in the specific call documents.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, under the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society pillar, aims to bolster democratic resilience by improving media and digital literacy. The call invites proposals for research and innovation actions, innovation actions, and coordination and support actions. These projects should empower citizens to critically engage with media, counter disinformation, and promote informed democratic participation. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the call is open to a wide range of applicants, including public authorities, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and businesses from the EU and associated countries. The call emphasizes the use of computational tools like Social Network Analysis and Natural Language Processing to address disinformation and encourages collaboration among projects and with the Joint Research Centre. The ultimate goal is to equip European societies with the tools and knowledge to navigate the digital age and strengthen trust in democratic institutions.

Short Summary

Impact
This funding aims to strengthen democratic resilience through enhanced media and digital literacy among citizens, empowering them to critically engage with information and participate in democratic processes.
Applicant
Eligible applicants should possess expertise in research and innovation, particularly in media literacy, digital engagement, and democratic governance.
Developments
The funding will support research and innovation actions focusing on digital literacy, countering disinformation, and fostering civic engagement in the context of democratic resilience.
Applicant Type
This funding is designed for research institutions, universities, civil society organizations, and public authorities from eligible countries.
Consortium
A consortium of multiple applicants is required to apply for this funding opportunity.
Funding Amount
The funding amount ranges from €3,500,000 to €4,000,000 per project, with a total budget of €12,000,000 allocated for this call.
Countries
Eligible countries include EU member states, EEA countries, and Associated Countries, with specific provisions for some non-EU countries.
Industry
This funding is part of Horizon Europe, specifically under the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society cluster.

Update Log

No updates recorded yet.

Discover with AI

Let our intelligent agent help you find the perfect funding opportunities tailored to your needs.

Try AI Agent →

EU Grant Database

Explore European funding opportunities in our comprehensive, up-to-date collection.

Browse Database →

Stay Informed

Get notified when grants change, deadlines approach, or new opportunities match your interests.

Configure Notifications →

Track Your Favorites

Follow grants you're interested in and keep them organized in one place. Get updates on changes and deadlines.

Use the Follow button above ↑

Open topic on reinvigorating and shielding European democracy

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call for proposals, designated as HORIZON-CL2-2027-02-DEMOCRACY-09, aims to support research and innovation actions that contribute to strengthening and protecting European...

May 4th, 2027

Identifying user-focused solutions to support news media freedom

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The EU funding opportunity titled "Identifying user-focused solutions to support news media freedom," identified as HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-06, is part of the Horizon Europe Research and...

September 23rd, 2027

Citizenship education as part of lifelong learning

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The grant opportunity HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-09 focuses on "Citizenship education as part of lifelong learning" under the Horizon Europe program. With a total budget of €16 million, the...

September 23rd, 2026

NEWS - JOURNALISM PARTNERSHIPS - PLURALISM

Call for ProposalOpen

The grant opportunity known as Journalism Partnerships - Pluralism, officially identified as CREA-CROSS-2026-JOURPART-PLURALISM, is part of the European Commission's Creative Europe Programme. It...

February 4th, 2026

NEWS - JOURNALISM PARTNERSHIPS - COLLABORATIONS

Call for ProposalOpen

The European Commission is offering a funding opportunity through the Creative Europe Programme, specifically under the call titled "Journalism Partnerships - Collaborations"...

February 4th, 2026

Electoral integrity in the digital context

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-08 focuses on enhancing electoral integrity in the digital age. It falls under the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society program with a...

September 23rd, 2026

Sustainable paths to media viability

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-04 grant, titled "Sustainable paths to media viability," is part of the EU's Horizon Europe program, focusing on enhancing democracy through innovation in the media...

September 23rd, 2026

Development aid and democratic governance

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-05 grant opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, focusing on the relationship between development aid and democratic governance. This initiative...

September 23rd, 2027

Understanding the forms of local democracy in low-income and low-middle income countries

Call for ProposalForthcoming

This opportunity pertains to a Horizon Europe grant under the program titled "HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-02," which focuses on understanding the forms of local democracy in low-income and...

September 23rd, 2026

European Digital Media Observatory Hubs

Call for ProposalOpen

The European Digital Media Observatory Hubs funding opportunity, designated as DIGITAL-2026-BESTUSE-TECH-EDMO-09-HUBS, aims to bolster the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) platform in its...

March 3rd, 2026

Addressing the impact of artificial intelligence, cyberviolence, and deepfakes on equality, democracy and inclusive societies

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The EU funding opportunity HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-DEMOCRACY-04 falls under the Horizon Europe program, specifically designed to address the impact of artificial intelligence, cyberviolence, and...

September 23rd, 2027

Networks of Towns

Call for ProposalOpen

The EU's Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values Programme (CERV) has launched a call for proposals titled CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-NT, which focuses on creating Networks of Towns. This initiative aims...

April 16th, 2026