EYE 2027 - MUSIC PROGRAMME

The European Parliament invites single-beneficiary grant applications to design and deliver the EYE2027 Music Programme in Strasbourg, including an EU-wide online contest with youth voting and at least two hours of evening concerts on each event day. The maximum EU contribution is €65,000, reimbursing up to 80% of eligible actual costs with pre-financing up to 70%, and prize ceilings of €700 per solo artist and €3,500 per band. Eligible applicants are non-profit pan-European umbrella youth or civil society organisations registered in an EU Member State for at least three years and representing networks across at least 18 Member States, and must meet defined financial and operational capacity requirements. Applications must be submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 11 June 2026 at 17:00 CET and will be evaluated against programme quality, project management, communication and sustainability criteria with a minimum threshold of 60.5/100.

What it funds

Scope of the action

Grant to design and run the EYE2027 music programme in Strasbourg:organise two evening concerts across two days, run an EU-wide online contest for artists aged 16–30 (submissions and youth voting), select winners to perform on site, and provide coaching, facilitation and on-site coordination for contest winners. Activities must follow EP branding, sustainability and accessibility requirements.

Who can apply:Pan‑European non-profit umbrella youth or civil society organisations (legal entities established in an EU Member State, minimum 3 years' registration) with broad geographical representation and the operational capacity to run EU‑wide contests and live events. Single legal entity applications only; consortia not eligible.

1. 1Applicants must be non-profit legal persons registered in an EU Member State for at least 3 years and have no political party affiliation
2. 2Target applicant profile: pan-European umbrella organisations representing member organisations across at least 18 EU Member States
3. 3Demonstrated operational capacity: event/music contest experience, multilingual communication (English/French minimum) and financial stability

Money and deadlines

Total call budget €300,000 split across two actions:up to €65,000 available for the Music Programme. Grants are budget‑based (reimbursement of eligible costs), co‑financed up to 80% of eligible costs. The planned call opening was 07 May 2026; submission deadline 11 June 2026 (17:00 Brussels time).

Key administrative points

Applicants submit a single‑stage application via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Mono‑beneficiary actions only (no consortia). Mandatory annexes include the application form, detailed budget, KPIs, financial statements and Declaration on Honour. The grant agreement will be an EP Action Grant (budget‑based) with performance reporting obligations.

Proposals must follow EYE requirements on youth co‑creation, inclusiveness, sustainability and EP visual identity. Financial support to third parties (e.g., travel/subsistence for winning artists, sub‑grants) is permitted under strict rules and ceilings. Prize ceilings: max €700 per artist and €3,500 per band.

For details on eligibility, budget categories, reporting, and the model grant agreement consult the call documents on the portal ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Full call documentation, templates and submission are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page EYE 2027 Music Programme.

Call summary and administrative facts

Call title:EYE2027: COORDINATION OF THE EYE VILLAGE PROGRAMME AND MUSIC PROGRAMME. Topic code: EP-COMM-SUBV. Funding body: European Parliament, Directorate-General for Communication. Type of action: EP Project Grants, EP Action Grant Budget-Based (EP-AG). Call opening date: 7 May 2026. Deadline: 11 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Deadline model: single-stage. Submission method: electronic submission only through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System.

Available budget and topic split:Total maximum budget for the overall call: €300,000. Budget breakdown: Action 1 (Coordination of the outdoor programme of EYE2027) €235,000 (1 proposal to be funded). Action 2 (Music programme) €65,000 (1 proposal to be funded) ¹.

Purpose, objectives and scope of the Music Programme topic

Purpose:design and deliver a 2-day music programme in the EYE Village in Strasbourg for EYE2027 that supports and promotes emerging EU artists (age 16-30), increases youth engagement, fosters interaction between visiting EYE participants and local youth, and raises awareness of music's contribution to the European Union. The programme must be selected through an EU-wide online contest (artist submissions + youth voting). Winners of the contest will perform live at EYE2027; the beneficiary will coordinate coaching, facilitation and on-site coordination for contest winners.

Minimum Music Programme requirements:Two evening concerts per event day (each at least two hours) featuring young emerging artists aged 16-30 residing in EU Member States. Diversity in music styles and geographic origin of artists is required. The selection mechanism must be an online secured platform for submissions and youth voting. The beneficiary is responsible for coaching winners, facilitation, onsite coordination and chaperoning when necessary. Concert production is supported by the EP logistics contractor; beneficiary coordinates needs and regular meetings with EP teams.

Who can apply and key eligibility

Eligible applicants:mono-beneficiary applications only (single legal entity). This topic specifically targets pan-European umbrella youth and civil society organisations. A pan-European umbrella organisation is defined as a non-profit entity coordinating or representing a network of legally established member organisations across at least 18 EU Member States. Applicants must be non-profit legal persons established in an EU Member State, registered as legal entities for at least three years, without political affiliation, and must meet financial and operational capacity requirements described below. Consortia and multi-beneficiary proposals are not eligible for this call; affiliated entities can participate and declare eligible costs under conditions set in the call and Model Grant Agreement.

Eligible participant types (detailed):Primary eligible applicant type: non-profit pan-European umbrella youth or civil society organisations (networked organisations with formal member organisations in at least 18 EU Member States). Other eligible roles in implementation: affiliated entities (subject to conditions and justified participation), subcontractors (procured in line with procurement rules), recipients of financial support to third parties (sub-grantees) where applicable (subject to strict eligibility, selection and EP validation requirements). Ineligible: natural persons, universities and schools, public authorities, profit-making entities, international organisations and EU bodies as applicants for this specific call.

Funding mechanism and financial rules

Funding type:grant (EP Project Grant, budget-based). Form of grant: reimbursement of eligible costs (actual costs) with flat-rate indirect costs and allowed unit costs for volunteers where applicable. Funding rate: reimbursement up to 80% of eligible costs. Maximum available for the Music Programme topic: €65,000 (one grant to be awarded). The overall call budget is €300,000 for both topics combined. The grant is budget-based and actual incurred eligible costs are reimbursed according to the Model Grant Agreement and the Guide for Applicants ¹.

Eligible cost categories and key limits:Eligible cost categories include: personnel costs (A.1), volunteers work as unit costs (A.2) up to specified limits, subcontracting (B), travel and subsistence (C.1), equipment depreciation (C.2), other goods and services (C.3), financial support to third parties (D) if applicable, and indirect costs as a flat rate of 7% of eligible direct costs. VAT conditions, deductibility and eligibility follow the Grant Agreement rules. Financial support to third parties (if used) must be justified, limited (maximum €20,000 per third party as a general rule unless justified and validated by EP), and follow detailed selection and control requirements in the call document. Prizes awarded to contest winners have ceilings: maximum €700 per artist, maximum €3,500 per band; travel and subsistence for artists are paid separately as financial support to each artist and must respect Annex XII ceilings.

1. 1Maximum Music Programme topic contribution from EP: €65,000
2. 2Funding rate: up to 80% of eligible costs
3. 3Indirect costs: flat rate 7% of eligible direct costs
4. 4Sub-grant maximum per third party: €20,000 unless justified and validated
5. 5Contest prize ceilings: €700 per solo artist; €3,500 per band

Consortium requirement and geographic eligibility

Consortium requirement:single applicant only. Applicants may include affiliated entities whose participation must be clearly justified and documented and is subject to legal validation. Beneficiary scope (geographic eligibility): applicants must be legally registered in an EU Member State and the action targets EU Member States; performers must reside in the European Union. The event location: Strasbourg (EYE Village next to the European Parliament).

Target sectors and project maturity

Target sector:culture / music / youth engagement / communication. Expected project stage and maturity: implementation and event management (organisation, contest design, coaching, on-site coordination, communication). Proposals must show demonstrable operational experience in organising music contests and live events at scale with transnational reach.

Applicant capacity requirements and exclusion

Financial capacity minima:applicants must have stable and sufficient funding; as a minimum, applicants should have an average turnover/income in the last financial year equal to at least 100% of the total estimated cost of the action. Operational capacity minima: at least three years' proven communication experience as multiplier mobilising networks to reach and empower young people; staff with relevant profiles (project manager, communications, programme coordinator), language capacity in English and French (minimum CEFR B2 recommended), EU affairs experience and event/project management experience including projects targeting participants from multiple EU Member States. Applicants must provide financial statements (latest closed year), restructured simplified balance sheet template, CVs of key staff, annual activity reports and a list of relevant projects from the last three years. Applicants failing financial or operational criteria will not be evaluated further.

Exclusion and integrity requirements:Applicants must declare on honour compliance with eligibility, absence of conflicts, and that they are not subject to exclusion situations (bankruptcy, grave professional misconduct, fraud, corruption, money laundering, terrorism-related offences, etc.). EU restrictive measures apply: entities under EU sanctions are ineligible. Political affiliation: applicants must not be politically affiliated; MEPs may not hold executive functions or be legal representatives of applicants.

Application process and templates

Application is single-stage and entirely electronic via the Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System. The Application Form has two parts: Part A (administrative, filled online in the Portal) and Part B (narrative, to be downloaded from the Submission System, completed and re-uploaded as PDF). Mandatory annexes listed in the Submission System must be uploaded at submission time. Proposals are limited to 50 pages (Part B) and must follow formatting rules in the application templates. The specific Application Form for the Music Programme (Annex VIII.b / Activity form) and the Detailed Estimated Budget (Annex VII template) and Key Performance Indicators (Annex V.b) must be completed and uploaded in the prescribed format.

1. 1Application submission channel: Funding & Tenders Portal Submission System (electronic only)
2. 2Part A: Administrative (online)
3. 3Part B: Description of the Action (download template, complete, re-upload as PDF)
4. 4Mandatory annexes: KPI template, Detailed Budget, CVs, annual activity reports, financial statements, Restructured Simplified Accounting Balance Sheets, Declaration on Honour, Model Grant Agreement acceptance
5. 5Maximum pages for proposal narrative (Part B): 50 pages

Application template structure for Music Programme (Part B overview):Suggested Part B structure (as specified in the Application Form template Annex VIII.b): 1) Music programme proposal (vision, concept, draft programme, diversity and inclusion measures, coaching and on-site coordination plan); 2) Project management and methodology (detailed timeplan, team organisation, cooperation with EP/logistics contractor, budget allocation explanation, subcontracting and affiliated entities description, monitoring & evaluation, risk management, KPIs and quantified targets following Annex V.b); 3) Communication plan (before, during, after: channels, timeline, own/earned/paid media, reach targets, local youth outreach); 4) Sustainability and accessibility measures (environmental, social and accessibility actions). Mandatory annexes include KPI spreadsheet, detailed budget with breakdown by category and by affiliated entity, CVs, activity history and financial statements.

Evaluation, award criteria and timeline

Evaluation model:single-stage. Proposals are screened for admissibility and eligibility, checked for financial and operational capacity, then evaluated by an evaluation committee against award criteria and scored. Award thresholds: proposals must score more than 60 points out of 100 to be considered for funding. For the Music Programme, the award criteria weightings emphasize programme quality (40 points), project management and methodology (20 points), communication (30 points distributed across items in application template), and sustainability/accessibility (10 points) in the call document. The call timetable indicates evaluation in June 2026, information on results in July 2026 and grant signature in August 2026. Implementation period: September 2026 to 15 October 2027 (the action must cover preparations, the EYE event in May 2027 and follow-up reporting).

1. 1Evaluation stages: admissibility check, eligibility check, operational and financial capacity checks, evaluation by external/internal evaluators against award criteria, ranking and selection
2. 2Overall threshold to pass: >60 points out of 100 for the Music Programme topic
3. 3Indicative timeline: submission deadline 11 June 2026; evaluation June 2026; result July 2026; grant signature August 2026; implementation Sept 2026–Oct 2027

Selection and management of third parties (sub-grants) and contest rules

The beneficiary may implement financial support to third parties under strict conditions defined in the call and Model Grant Agreement. For the outdoor programme sub-grants are allowed (80% of outdoor activities), and for the Music Programme the online contest mechanism is required to select performers. If the beneficiary plans to award financial support to third parties, the proposal must describe objectives, types of support, exhaustive list of eligible activities, selection methodology and criteria, maximum amounts, payment modalities, quality control and monitoring, outreach measures to ensure geographic balance and inclusiveness, and the ex-ante validation procedure with the European Parliament for calls and selection documentation. Sub-grantees for the outdoor programme must be pan-European umbrella organisations representing at least 2/3 of EU Member States or pan-European organisations not having participated in EYE2025 as sub-grantees. Sub-grants must not exceed €20,000 per third party unless properly justified and validated by the EP.

Key performance indicators and mandatory KPIs

Applicants must use the KPI templates (Annex V.b) and set quantified targets at application stage and report results at final reporting. Sample mandatory KPIs for the Music Programme include: number of young artists/bands performing during EYE2027; number of submissions for the music contest; number of people reached by online communication about the event; number of people reached by offline communication; number of people who voted in the online music contest; number of participants attending the concerts during EYE2027. Applicants must justify all KPI targets in the application.

Mandatory documents and administrative checks

At application, mandatory documents to upload (as per Submission System):Part A (online), Part B PDF, Activity form for Music Programme, KPI template, Detailed Budget table (Annex VII), Declaration on Honour (Annex X), Restructured Simplified Accounting Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss Accounts (Annex IX), financial statements for the last closed year, CVs for key team members, and other supporting documents requested in the form. Legal entity validation (Participant Register) and LEAR appointment are required for beneficiaries and affiliated entities prior to grant signature. Failure to upload mandatory annexes will render the proposal inadmissible.

Selection, award and contract management details

If selected, a Grant Agreement (Model Grant Agreement Annex XI) will be negotiated and signed. The grant will be budget-based, actual cost reimbursement with the funding rate and maximum amount fixed in the Grant Agreement. Pre-financing: up to 70% of the maximum grant amount may be paid as pre-financing within 30 days of entry into force. Final payment of the balance requires submission of technical reports, KPI results, and financial statements. For grants with final amounts equal to or above €60,000 a certificate on financial statement (CFS) from an independent auditor is required for final payment. The Parliament reserves the right not to award funds or to redistribute budgets depending on proposals received and evaluation results.

Reimbursement rules for speakers and moderators and artist travel:Travel and subsistence reimbursement rules are defined in Annex XII. Travel should use shortest/economical route; rail travel in second class or economy air travel is standard; mileage rates are specified where applicable; subsistence allowance and accommodation ceilings are applied (e.g., subsistence €60/day; accommodation up to €212/night; EP typically reimburses a maximum of two nights unless prior justification). Reimbursement requires original receipts and follows conversion rules for non-euro currencies.

Selection & evaluation specifics for Music Programme (award criteria snapshot)

For the Music Programme the evaluation threshold is 60/100 points. Key evaluation areas (per call): quality and creativity of the music programme and formats; diversity (styles and geographic origin); capacity to foster inclusion, cultural understanding and local youth interaction; live-experience quality and audience engagement; plan for coaching and on-site coordination; robustness of online contest design (security, voting integrity); project management and methodology including contest logistics and timeline; quality of communication plan; monitoring and KPIs; sustainability and accessibility measures. Detailed scoring and sub-criteria are in section 13 of the Call Document.

Risk management, sustainability and accessibility requirements

Applicants must include a risk register with mitigation measures (e.g., reduced on-site event scenarios, health/security contingencies). Sustainability: EYE applies an event sustainability policy in line with ISO20121 spirit; applicants must describe measures to reduce environmental impact (waste reduction, sustainable procurement, travel carbon awareness and metrics, local supplier use). Accessibility: all activities must be accessible and inclusive (language, sign-language provision where relevant, accessible venues, quiet spaces, measures for participants with reduced mobility). Applicants must provide data collection methodology for sustainability KPIs.

Geographic and country mentions

Explicit country and location mentions in the call:European Union (all Member States eligible), event location Strasbourg, France (EYE Village next to European Parliament in Strasbourg). The call and eligibility refer to the EU Member States for applicant registration and artist residency.

Project stage, timelines and implementation period

Project stage expected:preparation, contest implementation, selection, coaching and facilitation, on-site delivery (demonstration / event delivery) and follow-up reporting. Indicative milestones: planned opening 7 May 2026; submission deadline 11 June 2026; grant signature August 2026; implementation from September 2026 with site visits, communications and contest running lead-up to the EYE event in May 2027; final reporting and sustainability reporting by 30 September 2027 or as defined in the grant agreement. Key internal deadlines include EP validation of sub-grant call documents, site visits (e.g., November 2026), and deadlines for programme finalisation (January–March 2027) as detailed in the call.

Co-funding, success rates and stages

Co-funding requirements:the grant finances up to 80% of eligible costs — applicants must provide other resources for the remainder (own resources, income from the action, third-party contributions). Applicants must demonstrate the ability to cover cash flow and maintain operations (minimum turnover threshold applies). Success rates: not published in call documentation; selection is competitive and limited to one music programme grant (indicative: 1 grant available). Application stages: single-stage submission; successful proposals will enter grant preparation dialogue and legal/financial validation before signature.

How contest, prizes and artist support must be structured

Contest design requirements:dedicated secured online platform for artist submissions (music videos and/or audio tracks) and youth voting; anti-fraud and integrity measures for voting must be described; communication plan to maximise submissions and voting participation across EU youth; jury or mixed selection mechanism may complement youth voting if justified. Prize ceilings and support: prize ceilings €700 per artist and €3,500 per band; travel and subsistence for winners are separate financial support and must respect Annex XII reimbursement ceilings. The beneficiary must describe coaching, facilitation and on-site coordination services for winners, including rehearsals, technical briefings and chaperone arrangements for young artists.

Communications, branding, and visibility

All communications must follow the European Parliament youth offer visual identity guidelines and Inclusive Communication Guidelines (Annex I and II). Materials must be in line with the EP visual identity and undergo EP approval for design and layouts. Communication materials should be produced in at least English, French and German; additional languages (e.g., Italian, Polish, Spanish) are a plus. The beneficiary must prepare a communication plan covering before/during/after the event with estimated budgets and retro-planning, and include promotion of the EYE website and EYE social channels. All communications must include visibility of EU funding and disclaimers that content reflects the author’s view and EP is not responsible for use of information.

Practical notes and recommendations for applicants

1. 1Register and validate legal entity in Participant Register (PIC) and appoint LEAR early.
2. 2Prepare financial documents and KPI targets carefully; use provided Annex templates.
3. 3Ensure staff CVs and project references evidence event and contest delivery capacity across EU Member States.
4. 4If proposing financial support to third parties, prepare ex-ante selection and compliance documentation for EP validation.
5. 5Build contingency plans for reduced on-site scenarios (public-health, security) and include risk mitigation and cost flexibility.
6. 6Follow EP branding and inclusive communication guidance; prepare materials for EP approval prior to production.

Primary contact for questions and support:For EP-COMM calls contact: dgcomm-subvention@europarl.europa.eu. For EYE related questions: eye@europarl.europa.eu. For Portal and submission technical support: EU Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk. Consult the Funding & Tenders Portal Topic page for updates, Q&As and documents.

Final and concise summary

What this opportunity is about and explanation:This is a competitive, single-stage European Parliament grant call to fund one organisation to design and run the Music Programme for the European Youth Event (EYE2027) in Strasbourg. The selected beneficiary will design an EU-wide online contest for emerging artists aged 16–30, organise coaching and on-site coordination for winners, and deliver two evening concerts per event day in the EYE Village, while ensuring broad youth engagement, diversity, inclusion and sustainability. The Music Programme topic has a dedicated budget of €65,000 within a total call envelope of €300,000. Applicants must be non-profit pan-European umbrella youth or civil society organisations with multi-country membership, demonstrate strong operational and financial capacity, comply with strict eligibility, procurement and reporting rules, and submit a complete application via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by 11 June 2026. The grant reimburses eligible costs up to 80% and follows the EP Model Grant Agreement and Annex templates. Successful applicants enter grant preparation after evaluation and will work closely with the EP EYE project team and logistics contractor to implement the contest and live programme at EYE2027.

Footnotes

1. 1Call documents, Guide for Applicants and Model Grant Agreement are available on the Funding & Tenders Portal topic page and in the Submission System. See the Call Document and Annexes: Call for Proposals EP-COMM-SUBV-2026-EYE-VILLAGE and the Guide for Applicants EU Funding & Tenders Portal topic page

Opportunity Overview

The European Parliament is inviting applications for a grant to design and implement a music programme for the European Youth Event 2027 (EYE2027). This is a single-beneficiary action grant opportunity focused on organising live music performances featuring emerging European artists aged 16 to 30 years old. The music programme will complement the broader EYE2027 event taking place in Strasbourg in May 2027, which is expected to attract between 5,000 and 6,000 young participants from across the European Union and beyond.

Key Funding Details

Available Budget:€65,000 maximum for the music programme component. The total call budget across both actions (outdoor programme and music programme) is €300,000, with €235,000 allocated to the outdoor programme coordination. ¹

Funding Rate:Up to 80% of eligible costs actually incurred by the beneficiary and its affiliated entities. This is an actual cost grant, meaning only eligible costs that are genuinely incurred will be reimbursed, not budgeted amounts.

Grant Type:EP Action Grant Budget-Based (EP-AG). The grant will be provided as an actual cost grant with a pre-financing payment of up to 70% of the maximum grant amount, followed by final payment after assessment of eligible costs.

Project Scope and Objectives

The music programme aims to complement the outdoor programme of EYE2027 by offering activities that create cultural understanding and acceptance through music. The specific objectives include supporting and promoting emerging European Union artists, engaging EYE participants and local youth in discovering new European talent, and raising awareness about the contribution of music to European integration.

The beneficiary must design and implement a music programme consisting of at least two hours of evening concerts on each day of the event (two days total), featuring young emerging artists aged 16 to 30 years old who reside in the European Union. An additional evening concert the day before the event should also be considered. The programme must demonstrate diversity in both music styles and geographical origin of the artists.

Core Activities Required

• Design and run an EU-wide online contest allowing artists to submit original music in video and audio formats on a dedicated platform
• Facilitate youth voting to determine contest winners who will perform at EYE2027
• Provide coaching and facilitation for winning artists
• Coordinate on-site logistics and chaperoning for performing artists
• Develop and implement a comprehensive communication plan aligned with EYE principles
• Ensure regular coordination with the European Parliament and its logistics contractor

Eligibility Criteria

Eligible Applicants

This is a mono-beneficiary action, meaning only one legal entity can apply. Consortia are not permitted. Eligible applicants must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be a non-profit making organisation with legal form or statutory obligation not to distribute profits to shareholders or members
• Be a private legal person constituted and registered as a legal entity for at least three years at the time of application
• Be registered in one of the EU Member States
• Have no political affiliation (not a member of or closely associated with a political party)
• Be a pan-European umbrella youth or civil society organisation representing a network of legally established member organisations across at least 18 EU Member States

Affiliated entities may participate and declare eligible costs if they are established as legal entities, have a legal or capital link with the applicant, meet eligibility criteria, and their participation is justified to reach the call objectives.

Non-Eligible Applicants

The following entities cannot apply:natural persons, international organisations, EU bodies, universities and schools, public authorities, and profit-making entities. Additionally, entities are ineligible if Members of the European Parliament hold executive functions or act as legal representatives. Political parties and their youth organisations or foundations are also excluded. Entities subject to EU restrictive measures are not eligible in any capacity.

Eligible Member States

Entities from all EU Member States are eligible to apply.

Operational and Financial Capacity Requirements

Financial Capacity

Applicants must demonstrate stable and sufficient sources of finance to maintain their activity throughout the action period. As a minimum requirement, applicants should have an average turnover or income in the last financial year equal to 100% of the total estimated cost of the action. ²

Financial capacity will be assessed based on:a financial statement including balance sheet, profit and loss accounts and annexes for the last closed financial year; and a Restructured Simplified Accounting Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account (template provided in the submission system).

Operational Capacity

Applicants must demonstrate the know-how, qualifications and resources to successfully implement the project. For the music programme specifically, applicants must show:

• At least three years of proven communication experience as a multiplier able to mobilise wider networks with explicit aim to connect with and empower young people
• Human resources with competencies and qualifications relevant to event organisation, including very good communication skills in English and French (minimum B2 level on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages)
• Sound knowledge in European affairs, demonstrated through at least one project or activity carried out in partnership with an EU Institution or body in the last four years
• Project management experience with proven capacity to manage projects of similar scope based on activities performed in the last four years
• Proven experience in organising music contests for young artists aged 16 to 30 coming from different EU Member States

Applicants must submit curriculum vitae or profile descriptions of key personnel, the organisation's annual activity report for the last three years, and a list of previous projects and activities performed in the last three years connected to the proposed action.

Exclusion Criteria

Applicants subject to EU administrative sanctions or in any of the following situations cannot participate: bankruptcy or similar procedures; breach of social security or tax obligations; grave professional misconduct; fraud, corruption, links to criminal organisations, money laundering, terrorism-related crimes, child labour or human trafficking; significant deficiencies in complying with main obligations under EU contracts or agreements; irregularities as defined in EU Regulation 2988/95; or creation under different jurisdiction to circumvent legal obligations.

Applicants will also be refused if they misrepresented information during the award procedure or were previously involved in call preparation in a way that distorts competition.

Application Timeline and Deadlines

Application Requirements and Submission Process

Applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Electronic Submission System before the deadline of 11 June 2026 at 17:00 CET. Paper submissions are not accepted. Proposals must be complete and contain all required parts, annexes and supporting documents at submission time. Failure to submit mandatory annexes will result in inadmissibility without further consideration.

Application Form Structure

• Part A (completed online): Administrative information about the participant and summarised budget (mandatory)
• Part B (downloaded, completed and re-uploaded as PDF): Description of the proposed action (mandatory)
• Key Performance Indicators form (mandatory)
• Detailed budget table (mandatory)
• Other annexes and supporting documents as specified in the application form

Proposals are limited to 50 pages maximum. Evaluators will not consider any additional pages. The application must be legible, accessible and printable. At submission, the legal representative must confirm they have the mandate to act for the applicant, and all participants must confirm compliance with EU funding conditions.

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated by an evaluation committee on the basis of operational capacity and award criteria. The minimum threshold for consideration is 60.5 points out of a maximum 100 points. Proposals scoring 60 points or less will not be considered for funding.

Award Criteria for Music Programme

Proposals can be submitted in any official EU language, though English or French is strongly recommended for efficiency. A translation of the proposal abstract in English or French should be included.

Eligible Costs and Budget Categories

The grant is an actual cost grant, reimbursing only eligible costs actually incurred. The following cost categories are eligible:

• Personnel costs: employees, natural persons under direct contract, seconded persons
• Volunteer costs: on the basis of unit costs, not exceeding 50% of total estimated costs
• Subcontracting costs: subject to approval, generally not exceeding 30% of total eligible costs
• Travel and subsistence costs
• Equipment costs (depreciation method)
• Other goods, works and services
• Financial support to third parties (if applicable)
• Indirect costs: flat rate of 7% of incurred direct costs

Non-deductible VAT is eligible. Applicants must include civil and liability insurance or equivalent covering planned activities. For grants above €60,000, a certificate on financial statement (CFS) from an independent auditor must be submitted with the final payment request, with CFS costs eligible under other goods and services.

Artist Prize Ceilings

Prizes awarded to artists selected through the music contest must respect the following maximum amounts: €700 per individual artist; €3,500 per band. Other costs related to participation in the contest and musical programme during EYE2027 (such as travel and accommodation costs) are excluded from the prize and must be paid separately as financial support to each artist, subject to the reimbursement ceilings set out in the call documentation.

Payment and Reporting Arrangements

After grant agreement signature, the beneficiary will receive a first pre-financing payment of up to 70% of the maximum grant amount to start work on the action. This pre-financing will be paid 30 days from entry into force of the grant agreement. The final grant amount will be calculated after assessment by the European Parliament of the financial report and eligibility of actual incurred costs. If total earlier payments exceed the final grant amount, the beneficiary must repay the difference.

Beneficiaries are responsible for keeping records of all work done and costs declared. All payments are made to the beneficiary signing the grant agreement.

Key Principles and Requirements

EYE Principles

The music programme must be organised according to the following principles:youth participation and co-creation; European dimension and political pluralism; and sustainability and inclusiveness. The programme should reflect the fundamental values of the European Union and promote equality, inclusiveness and accessibility for all participants.

Communication and Branding

The beneficiary must prepare and implement a communication plan supporting the European Parliament in communicating about the event and promoting the music programme. All communication materials must align with the European Parliament's youth offer visual identity guidelines and should not create independent event branding. The beneficiary should use the European Parliament logo and follow specified colour palettes, typography and inclusive communication guidelines. If proposing a name for the music programme, it must follow the format 'at EYE2027'. Communication materials should be available in at least three languages (English, French, German), with translation to Italian, Polish or Spanish considered added value.

Communication actions should be split into three phases:before the event (promoting EYE2027 and attracting participants from vulnerable backgrounds and remote regions), during the event (promoting the programme and generating engagement), and after the event (promoting outcomes). The beneficiary is not required to create independent event websites or social media channels, as information will be uploaded to the official EYE website and promoted on EYE social media channels.

Sustainability and Accessibility

The music programme must be widely accessible and attractive to young people from across Europe and the Strasbourg region, irrespective of age, intellectual capacity or health/fitness level. The beneficiary must implement measures to reduce environmental impact and ensure inclusivity. The European Parliament is registered under EMAS and ISO 14001 environmental management standards and will include environmental impacts of EYE2027 in its performance metrics and reporting.

Collaboration with the European Parliament

The beneficiary will work closely with the European Parliament's EYE project team and its logistics contractor. Regular meetings (at least twice monthly) should take place as of the action start date, both in Brussels and Strasbourg, to ensure good co-creation and coordination. The beneficiary should plan regular missions to Strasbourg ahead of the event, typically during European Parliament plenary sessions.

The European Parliament will provide support including basic logistics (stages, tents, modular furniture, audio-visual equipment, Wi-Fi), visual elements, liaison with authorities for permits, security and safety provision, volunteer teams, an online registration platform, liaison with MEPs, sign-language interpretation for selected activities, an official EYE website in six languages, and a code of conduct with a Trusted Person mediator available on-site.

Important Conditions and Restrictions

• This is a mono-beneficiary action; consortia are not eligible
• Applicants may submit only one proposal
• Proposals must be submitted before the deadline; late submissions will not be accepted
• There is strict prohibition of double funding from the EU budget
• Proposals for actions already completed will be rejected
• Combination with EU operating grants is possible if the project remains outside the operating grant work programme and costs are clearly separated
• By submitting an application, applicants accept all call conditions and will be rejected if they do not comply
• The European Parliament reserves the right not to award all available funds or to redistribute them between call priorities depending on proposals received and evaluation results

Force Majeure and Unforeseen Circumstances

The beneficiary should assume EYE2027 will maintain its key characteristics and host approximately 5,000 to 6,000 participants. However, due to health measures, security threats or other unforeseen circumstances, the European Parliament might decide to reduce the scope of the on-site event. This could affect the number of participants and activities envisaged, requiring review and scaling down of originally planned activities and potentially impacting the grant amount. The President of the Parliament may adopt exceptional measures for public health or security reasons, including postponement or cancellation of events, which would be considered force majeure under the grant agreement.

Support and Contact Information

Applicants are encouraged to consult the EU Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Portal FAQ, and the Guide for Applicants before submitting questions. The Portal Topic page should be consulted regularly for updates and additional information. For IT-related questions, contact the IT Helpdesk. For non-IT questions, contact dgcommsubvention@europarl.europa.eu and eye@europarl.europa.eu, clearly indicating the call reference and topic.

Applicants should complete their applications well in advance of the deadline to avoid technical problems. Problems due to last-minute submissions are entirely at the applicant's risk. All beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting applications, and the participant identification code (PIC) is mandatory for the application form.

Data Protection and Transparency

Submission of a proposal involves collection, use and processing of personal data in accordance with applicable legal framework. Data will be processed solely for evaluating the proposal, subsequent grant management, and if needed, programme monitoring, evaluation and communication. The controller is the EP Youth Outreach Unit in the Directorate General for Communication, Directorate for Campaigns (eye@europarl.europa.eu).

In accordance with Article 38 of the EU Financial Regulation, information about EU grants awarded is published annually on the Europa website, including beneficiary names, addresses, purpose of the grant, and maximum amount awarded. Publication can exceptionally be waived on reasoned and substantiated request if disclosure could jeopardise rights and freedoms under the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights or harm commercial interests.

Additional Resources and Documentation

The following documents are available on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and should be consulted: Call for Proposals document (EP-COMM-SUBV-2026-EYE-VILLAGE); Model Grant Agreement; EU Grants AGA (Annotated Model Grant Agreement); Guide for Applicants; Online Manual; Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions; Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement; Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment; EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509; and European Parliament's Multi-annual Work Programme for grants in communication.

Call annexes include:European Parliament youth offer visual identity guidelines; Inclusive Communication Guidelines; EYE Sustainability policy; EYE2025 Village plan; Key Performance Indicators for the music programme; Activity form for the EYE Village; Detailed Estimated Budget template; Simplified Accounting Balance Sheets and Profit and Loss Accounts template; Declaration on Honour; Model Grant Agreement; and Reimbursement rules for speakers and moderators.

Summary of Key Takeaways for Applicants

• Maximum funding available is €65,000 with 80% reimbursement rate of eligible costs actually incurred
• Only one beneficiary will be selected for the music programme component
• Applicants must be pan-European umbrella organisations representing at least 18 EU Member States
• Minimum three years of proven experience in organising music contests for young artists aged 16-30 from different EU Member States is required
• Applications must be submitted by 11 June 2026 at 17:00 CET via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal
• Proposals must score at least 60.5 points out of 100 to be considered for funding
• The music programme must feature at least two hours of concerts each day featuring emerging EU artists aged 16-30
• An online contest with youth voting must be used to select performing artists
• All communication materials must align with European Parliament branding guidelines
• Regular coordination with the European Parliament and its logistics contractor is mandatory
• The project implementation period extends from September 2026 to 15 October 2027

Footnotes

1. 1The call for proposals is structured as two separate actions: Action 1 for coordination of the outdoor programme of EYE2027 (€235,000) and Action 2 for the music programme (€65,000). Applicants may submit a proposal for only one of the two actions. The total maximum budget available for the call is €300,000.
2. 2Financial capacity assessment is based on neutral financial indicators allowing assessment of financial dependency on EU funding and liquidity. The minimum requirement of average turnover/income equal to 100% of total estimated action cost ensures the applicant has sufficient financial stability to implement the project. Supporting documents required include financial statements for the last closed financial year and a Restructured Simplified Accounting Balance Sheet and Profit and Loss Account.