European Heritage Hub Small Grants Scheme for Heritage-related Projects led by Civil Society in EU candidate and other neighbouring countries

The European Heritage Hub Small Grants Scheme offers a total envelope of €250,000 to fund heritage-related projects led by civil society organisations in 11 eligible non-EU countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Ukraine. Individual grants are available in two bands up to €10,000 and €10,000–25,000 and the call targets activities on conservation, capacity building, community engagement and resilience linked to green, digital and social transformations. Applications must be submitted in English via the Good Grants online platform following an eligibility assessment and full proposal stage, with the open call launching 20 July 2026 and cut-offs on 7 and 20 September 2026. The scheme is co-funded by the European Union, supported by the ALIPH Foundation and managed by Europa Nostra; applicants must be legal entities with a bank account in an eligible country and organisations linked to the European Heritage Hub consortium are ineligible.

What it funds

Scope and priorities

Small, heritage-led initiatives by civil society that strengthen cultural heritage's role in sustainable development, democratic participation, peacebuilding and the triple transition (green, digital, social). Priority regional strands: Western Balkans (reconciliation and regional cooperation), Caucasus (heritage protection in fragile contexts), and Ukraine/Moldova (emergency response, recovery and resilience).

Grant sizes and total budget:Individual grants: up to €10,000 or €10,000–25,000. Total envelope for this edition: €250,000 ¹.

Who can apply

Lead applicants must be civil society or not-for-profit organisations (NGOs, charities, grassroots organisations) legally established with a bank account in one of the eligible countries and may apply alone or in partnership. Cross-border projects involving eligible countries are encouraged.

1. 1Eligible lead applicant countries include Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo*, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
2. 2Partner organisations may be based in other European countries.
3. 3Organisations that are part of the European Heritage Hub consortium or with governing roles in it are not eligible to apply.

How to apply

Two-step process via Good Grants:complete an eligibility assessment; if invited, submit a full proposal using region-specific forms and a consolidated budget. Applications and communications are in English.

Applicants must read the full Call for Applications, use the provided budget template and submit via the Good Grants platform. Contact: smallgrants@europanostra.org.

Footnotes

1. 1Full call details and application portal: European Heritage Hub Small Grants.

Opportunity summary

This preparatory action, implemented under the European Heritage Hub and led by Europa Nostra with co-funding from the European Union and support from the ALIPH Foundation, offers small grants to civil society organisations in EU candidate and neighbouring countries to support heritage-led initiatives that contribute to sustainable development, democratic participation, peacebuilding and the triple transformation (green, digital and social). The total available budget for this second edition is €250,000. The call is organised around three regional strands (Western Balkans, Caucasus, Ukraine/Moldova) with tailored priorities for each strand. Applications open on 20 July 2026 and follow a multiple cut-off deadline model with an eligibility assessment and full proposal stages submitted via the Good Grants platform Call for Applications.

Key dates:Open call launch 20 July 2026; Eligibility assessment deadline 7 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST; Full application deadline 20 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST; Selection September/October 2026; Grant agreements signed November 2026; Project implementation start November 2026; Final reporting deadline 31 August 2027.

Detailed eligibility and scope

Purpose and priorities:The scheme supports civil society heritage stakeholders to strengthen capacity, enhance cultural heritage's role in the green, digital and social transformation, bolster democracy and fundamental rights, and build peace and intercultural dialogue. It funds projects by region with the following focuses: Western Balkans—reconciliation, regional cooperation and social cohesion; Caucasus—heritage protection in fragile and diverse contexts; Ukraine/Moldova—capacity building and pilot initiatives for emergency response, recovery and resilience.

Eligible applicant types:Civil society and not-for-profit organisations including NGOs, charities, grassroots organisations and similar entities. Lead applicants must be legal entities with a bank account established in one of the eligible countries listed below. Organisations that are part of the European Heritage Hub consortium or that have a governing role within it (for example, members of the Board) are not eligible to apply.

Eligible lead applicant countries (by regional strands):Lead applicants must have legal status and a bank account in one of the following eligible countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo (in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244), Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, or Ukraine. Partner organisations may be based in other European countries. Cross-border projects involving these eligible countries are encouraged.

Eligible project types and activities:Examples of eligible actions (not exhaustive): emergency planning and preparedness for heritage sites and museums (inventories, simulations, equipment, capacity building, on-the-job training); actionable documentation and inventory of archaeological and heritage sites; regional restoration camps and on-the-job restoration training; initiatives supporting dialogue, coordination and sharing of cross-border heritage; documentation and transmission of traditional know-how relating to climate resilience; capacity building and technical support on intersections between cultural heritage and green, digital and social transformation; advocacy to raise the profile of cultural heritage including actions to save endangered sites; actions promoting cross-border collaboration.

Funding details and conditions

Funding type:Grants (direct financial awards to beneficiaries). The call is part of a preparatory action with a total indicative budget of €250,000 for this small grants scheme.

Grant amounts and ranges:Two grant size categories are available: up to €10,000 and between €10,000 and €25,000. Applicants must select which range they apply for.

Co-funding requirement:No explicit co-funding percentage is stated in the call text provided. The budget template contains fields for other income but the scheme documentation does not mandate co-funding; applicants should consult the full Call for Applications and budget template for any specific requirements or to indicate additional funding sources.

Budget and reporting:Applicants must submit a single consolidated budget for projects implemented by a single organisation or by a partnership with a lead applicant taking financial and legal responsibility. Project activities should be completed or sufficiently advanced by 31 August 2027 to enable final reporting. A budget template (Excel) and Grant Agreement template are provided in the call documents.

Application and selection process

Application type and submission method:Open call through the Good Grants platform (online). Applicants must first complete an eligibility assessment via Good Grants. Only applicants who pass eligibility are invited to submit a full proposal and budget form through the same platform. Applications must be submitted in English.

Selection process stages:Three-step selection process: 1) Proposal submission: Eligibility assessment and full proposal (applicants complete eligibility assessment; eligible applicants are invited to submit full proposals). 2) Pre-selection by regional experts: Regional experts evaluate eligible full proposals and recommend a shortlist to the Selection Committee; applicants are not notified of pre-selection results. 3) Final selection by the Selection Committee: Committee composed of European Heritage Hub consortium representatives and experts from eligible countries selects projects to ensure a balanced portfolio across regional strands, grant sizes, action types and countries.

Number of application stages:Three distinct stages: eligibility assessment, regional pre-selection, final selection.

Success rates:The call documentation does not specify expected or historical success rates. Given the total budget of €250,000 and grant sizes of up to €25,000, the number of projects funded will depend on the distribution across grant bands and regions. Applicants should assume competitive selection and prepare high-quality, regionally-relevant proposals.

Administrative and practical requirements

Lead applicant responsibilities:The lead applicant must submit the application, manage the grant, and take legal and financial responsibility for the project and consolidated budget. Lead applicants must be established in one of the eligible lead applicant countries and have a bank account there. Partner organisations can be based elsewhere in Europe.

Language and platform:All applications and supporting documents must be submitted in English via the Good Grants online platform. Budget forms are provided as Google Sheets (view-only) and must be downloaded, completed offline and uploaded in Excel format as part of the application.

Prohibitions and exclusions:Organisations that are members of the European Heritage Hub consortium or have a governing role within it (such as Board members) are excluded from applying. Applicants must also comply with data processing rules and Europa Nostra’s Privacy Policy as stated in the application materials.

Documents and templates provided

1. 1Full Call for Applications document (detailed eligibility, priorities, rules and procedures) Call for Applications
2. 2Eligibility Assessment sample form (used online via Good Grants)
3. 3Regional full application sample forms: Western Balkans, Caucasus, Ukraine/Moldova
4. 4Budget template in Excel (Template EHH-Small Grants Scheme-Budget Form-2026.xlsx)
5. 5Grant Agreement template
6. 6Contact email for questions: smallgrants@europanostra.org
7. 7Project website and updates: www.europeanheritagehub.eu and social media @EurHeritageHub

Structured extraction answers

Eligible Applicant Types:Civil society organisations and not-for-profit entities: NGOs, charities, grassroots organisations and similar civil society actors. Lead applicants must be legal entities with a bank account in one of the eligible lead applicant countries. Partnerships are allowed with one lead applicant taking legal and financial responsibility.

Funding Type:Grant (direct financial award).

Consortium Requirement:Other: Single organisation or partnership allowed. A consortium is not strictly required; projects may be submitted by a single organisation or by a partnership where one entity is the lead applicant responsible for the consolidated budget.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Eligible lead applicants must be established in EU candidate and neighbouring countries specifically listed: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo (UNSCR 1244), Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Ukraine. The call targets these regions and allows partner organisations from other European countries; cross-border projects involving eligible countries are encouraged.

Target Sector:Culture and heritage sector with intersections to environment/climate resilience, digital readiness and social transformation, civic society strengthening, reconciliation and peacebuilding, and advocacy related to democracy and fundamental rights.

Mentioned Countries:Albania; Armenia; Azerbaijan; Bosnia and Herzegovina; Georgia; Kosovo (referenced per UNSCR 1244); Moldova; Montenegro; North Macedonia; Serbia; Ukraine.

Project Stage:From implementation-ready through pilot and demonstration. Projects may already be ongoing at submission but must be completed or sufficiently advanced by 31 August 2027 to provide tangible results for reporting. The scheme supports capacity-building, pilot actions, on-the-job training and small-scale recovery or preparedness interventions.

Funding Amount:Total scheme budget €250,000. Individual grants available in two bands: up to €10,000 and €10,000 to €25,000.

Application Type:Open call submitted via an online portal (Good Grants platform). The process requires an eligibility assessment followed by invitation to submit a full proposal.

Nature of Support:Money: direct grant funding. Non-monetary support: the scheme also provides capacity-building emphasis and expects projects to deliver training, documentation and knowledge exchange, but the primary deliverable is financial support.

Application Stages:Three stages (eligibility assessment and full proposal submission; pre-selection by regional experts; final selection by Selection Committee).

Success Rates:Not specified in the call documentation. Given limited total budget and grant band sizes, selection is expected to be competitive.

Co-funding Requirement:Not explicitly required in the provided text. The budget template includes fields for other income which applicants can declare. Applicants should check the full Call for Applications and Grant Agreement template for any specific co-financing clauses.

Templates and application form structure:Available templates and sample forms include: Eligibility Assessment form (online), regional full application templates for Western Balkans, Caucasus and Ukraine/Moldova, Budget Form (Excel template: Template EHH-Small Grants Scheme-Budget Form-2026.xlsx), and Grant Agreement template. The Good Grants online form enforces a structure with required fields and character limits; applicants must provide organisational information, project description and rationale, objectives, target groups, detailed activities and timeline, risk management and sustainability, indicators and expected results, detailed budget using the Excel template, list of partners and roles, and declarations on data processing and compliance. Sample PDFs demonstrate that the full application contains sections for project description, priorities alignment, types of action (with multiple selectable options), grant range selection, and lead organisation description.

How to prepare a strong application

Focus your proposal on one of the three regional strands and their tailored priorities. Demonstrate clear community engagement, capacity-building outcomes, sustainability beyond the grant period and measurable results to be achieved by 31 August 2027. Use the provided budget template and submit a concise, well-justified budget. Ensure the lead organisation meets the legal and banking requirements for the eligible lead applicant countries and include partnerships where they strengthen cross-border cooperation, technical skills transfer or reconciliation efforts. Provide evidence of past experience, staff or volunteer capacity, and operational readiness to implement the proposed activities within the timeframe. Consult sample forms and the full Call for Applications before submission.

Applications and questions should be submitted via the Good Grants platform and enquiries can be sent to smallgrants@europanostra.org. For updates and events visit www.europeanheritagehub.eu and follow @EurHeritageHub on social media.

Footnotes

1. 1Official application portal and call materials are available at the European Heritage Hub grant platform: euheritagehub.grantplatform.com and the Good Grants application system referenced in the Call for Applications.

Opportunity Overview

This is a multi-topic cascade funding call supporting heritage-related projects led by civil society organizations in EU candidate and neighboring countries, with a total forecast budget of €250,000 [[5]]. The scheme empowers heritage stakeholders in 11 eligible non-EU countries to become active protagonists of the European heritage movement while enhancing capacity for green, digital, and social transformation [[1]].

Key Funding Details:The call offers three grant sizes: Small (€2,000–10,000), Medium (€10,000–30,000), and Large (€30,000–50,000) [[1]][[3]]. The award ceiling listed in the forecast is €25,000, though the official call documentation confirms grants up to €50,000 for large projects [[5]][[1]].

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Only civil society and not-for-profit organizations based in eligible non-EU countries can apply, including NGOs, charities, and grassroots organizations [[2]]. The lead applicant must have legal status and a bank account in one of the 11 eligible countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, and Ukraine [[1]][[2]].

• Organizations part of the European Heritage Hub consortium or with a governing role (e.g., Board members) are ineligible [[1]]
• In partnerships, the lead organization submits the proposal, but partners can be based in other European countries [[2]]
• Applications must be submitted in English via the online form using a Google account [[1]][[4]]

Deadlines and Timeline

The project should be completed or sufficiently advanced by 31 March 2025 to provide tangible results for reporting purposes, though this date appears to reference a previous cycle and applicants should verify the current project completion deadline in the official call document [[2]][[4]]. Final reporting must occur within months after project completion and no later than 30 April of the reporting year [[2]].

Application Requirements and Process

Applications must be submitted exclusively via the online application form; PDF templates are available for preparation but only online submissions are considered [[1]][[2]]. Applicants must fill in all mandatory fields (marked with *) and submit a completed budget form covering 100% of expenditure [[2]][[4]].

1. 1Submit proposal and budget form via the online form (Google account required) [[1]]
2. 2Ensure project eligibility by reading the full Call for Applications before submission [[1]]
3. 3Applications may be re-submitted only once for additional information or adapted text [[1]]
4. 4Contact Manon Richard (mr@europanostra.org) for eligibility doubts before submitting [[1]][[4]]

Funding Scope and Priority Areas

The scheme supports heritage projects aligned with the European Framework for Action on Cultural Heritage, contributing to societal, economic, and environmental advancements [[3]]. Priority areas include conservation and documentation of artifacts and architecture, education and training for heritage professionals, community and youth engagement, and advocacy for legal framework improvements [[6]].

Funding Source:Co-funded by the European Union and supported by the ALIPH Foundation, run by Europa Nostra leading a consortium of 20 partners [[1]][[3]].

Important Notes for Applicants

This is a cascade funding instrument designed for agile and flexible allocation of small grants to civil society-led heritage initiatives [[1]]. Applicants should verify the current project completion deadline as the 31 March 2025 date in available documents likely refers to a previous call cycle [[2]][[4]]. The official opportunity page at the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is the authoritative source for the most current details [[5]].

Footnotes

1. 1Official call documentation and application forms are available at European Heritage Hub Small Grants Scheme
2. 2Forecast details and budget information from Development Aid