Increasing riparian and coastal areas resilience to climate change, including in waterfront cities and islands.

HORIZON-MISS is a Horizon Europe Innovation Action under the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission to fund demonstration projects increasing resilience of riparian and coastal areas, waterfront cities, and islands. The call opens 9 February 2027 and closes 21 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time, with a total indicative budget of €35.7 million and an expected EU contribution per project of €8.0–€8.925 million (indicative four grants). Proposals must address a single Mission lighthouse basin, deliver at least six demonstration activities across at least three countries within that basin, engage public authorities and at least five associated regions, and reach TRL 6–8 by project end. Projects should prioritise nature-based and source-to-sea approaches, include robust monitoring aligned with long-term observation programmes, enable replication through a roadmap, and comply with open data and Copernicus/Galileo requirements where applicable.

Increasing riparian and coastal areas resilience to climate change (HORIZON-MISS-2027-03-OCEAN-01)

What it funds

Scope and objectives

Innovation actions to test and demonstrate solutions that increase resilience of riparian and coastal areas, waterfront cities and islands to climate change. Projects must deliver at least six real-world demonstrations across different types of riparian and coastal areas, achieve TRL 6-8 by project end, monitor ecological and social impacts, and prepare replication and scale-up roadmaps. Activities should prioritise nature-based solutions, source-to-sea approaches, transboundary action and alignment with the Digital Twin Ocean and Ocean and Water Knowledge System.

Connection to Mission:This call supports the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission and must address a single sea/river basin lighthouse (Atlantic and Arctic, Mediterranean, Baltic and North Sea, or Danube including Black Sea). Projects are expected to cooperate with the Mission Lighthouse CSA and the Mission Implementation Platform Mission Lighthouse CSAs ¹

1. 1At least 6 demonstration activities in different types of riparian/coastal sites; demonstrations in at least 3 countries of the chosen basin.
2. 2Engage and empower public authorities; work with minimum 5 associated regions (local/regional public bodies).
3. 3Provide a replication action plan and capacity building for associated regions; beneficiaries may award grants to third-party public authorities (max €100,000 each).
4. 4Monitoring must align with long-term ecological/biodiversity observation programmes and share in-situ data via EMODnet following FAIR principles.

Who can apply: legal entities eligible under Horizon Europe (research organisations, SMEs, companies, NGOs, public authorities). Strong participation of public bodies managing target areas and involvement of regional/local authorities is encouraged. See the full topic page and application rules on the Funding & Tenders Portal Call page.

Footnotes

1. 1Use the Mission Lighthouse CSA and Mission Implementation Platform resources for coordination and tracking: Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal Mission Service Portal.

Increasing riparian and coastal areas resilience to climate change, including in waterfront cities and islands. (HORIZON-MISS-2027-03-OCEAN-01)

This is a Horizon Europe Mission Ocean and Waters Innovation Action under the call Supporting the implementation of the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission. The topic focuses on demonstrating, replicating, and scaling solutions that increase resilience of riparian and coastal areas, including waterfront cities and islands, while delivering biodiversity co-benefits and socio-economic value. Proposals must address one Mission Lighthouse basin and achieve TRL 6-8 by project end. Submission is single-stage via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with a planned opening on 9 February 2027 and deadline on 21 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time. Official topic page: Topic details on EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Core scope and expected outcomes

Projects must directly engage riparian and coastal areas, waterfront cities and islands, and their communities to demonstrate and accelerate transitions needed to achieve the Mission Restore our Ocean and Waters objectives. Strong and meaningful involvement of public administrations, including island public authorities, is expected. The project results must contribute to: providing cost-effective, innovative solutions for climate adaptation and water resilience strategies (2030 targets), supporting biodiversity strategy and key EU water and marine directives; enhancing ecological functions of riparian and coastal systems (water quality improvement, pollution remediation, erosion control, morpho-dynamics and sediment transport, biodiversity conservation and restoration); reducing vulnerability to climate risks (flooding, sea-level rise, extreme events, drought), increasing natural buffering, groundwater recharge, carbon sequestration, and reducing harmful algal blooms; increasing socio-economic benefits from protection, restoration and pollution remediation, including recreation and tourism; engaging stakeholders and competent local authorities to implement and upscale innovative solutions, align with their programmes, and catalyse public and private investment.

Activities and technical content required

• Test and demonstrate effective solutions in riparian and coastal areas, waterfront cities, and islands to address climate impacts on communities; emphasis is encouraged on Nature-based Solutions, integrated source-to-sea approaches including land–sea interactions, transboundary actions, and regeneration of the blue economy.
• Show significant replication potential with identified replication areas and a concrete action plan and roadmap for replication and scale-up by project end.
• Monitor local-scale impacts and effectiveness of demonstrations, including societal acceptance; align monitoring with long-term ecological and biodiversity observation programmes to enable decadal-scale understanding of resilience.
• Link with the Digital Twin Ocean (particularly coastal and freshwaters), support and benefit from the Ocean and Water Knowledge System for data/knowledge sharing and cross-region approaches.
• Work closely with and empower public authorities to accelerate solution implementation; encourage active citizen participation, e.g., via living labs.
• Provide recommendations and guidance for policy measures and green infrastructure projects; strengthen cross-sectoral cooperation (water, navigation, fisheries, hydropower, energy, etc.).
• Facilitate synergies with EU/national/regional programmes and leverage additional funding (e.g., ERDF, Interreg, LIFE) through engagement with regional/local/city authorities and, where relevant, the private sector.

Mandatory demonstration setup:Carry out at least 6 demonstration activities across different types of riparian and coastal areas, including in waterfront cities and islands. Demonstrations must take place in at least 3 different countries within the addressed basin.

Associated regions and replication:Engage at least 5 associated regions (represented by local/regional authorities/public bodies) to follow project activities, receive continuous knowledge sharing, and obtain technical assistance for local implementation. Beneficiaries may provide Financial Support to Third Parties in the form of grants to local/regional authorities in Member States/Associated Countries, up to €100,000 per third party, once per recipient, to showcase effectiveness and develop replication plans in associated regions.

Basin selection (Mission Lighthouses):Each proposal must address only one of the following and explicitly state it: 1) Atlantic and Arctic sea basin; 2) Mediterranean Sea basin; 3) Baltic and North Sea basin; 4) Danube River basin (including its delta and the Black Sea). Basins include river basins flowing into the respective sea basins. Activities must be tailored to regional/sea basin specificities.

Collaboration requirements:Collaborate with the Coordination and Support Action for the relevant Mission Lighthouse and the Mission Implementation Platform to track Mission progress. Cooperation with Water Oriented Living Labs (Water4All) is welcomed. Cooperation with EU Outermost Regions is encouraged.

TRL expectations:Activities are expected to reach TRL 6-8 by the end of the project.

Eligibility, participation, and compliance

Eligible Applicant Types:Universities, research institutes, SMEs, large enterprises and industry, public authorities (regional, local, island, inland water management bodies), nonprofit and NGOs, government agencies, public-private partnerships, and European research infrastructures and related operators. Horizon Europe generally allows participation of any legal entity in EU Member States and Associated Countries, with additional self-funded or specially-funded participation by some third countries per the Programme Guide. Individuals as sole applicants are generally not eligible.

Funding Type:Grant under Horizon Europe Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA), using the HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based model grant agreement.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. Standard Horizon Europe minimum: at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Given mandatory demonstrations in at least 3 countries of the chosen basin and the strong encouragement for public authorities’ participation, consortia are expected to be multi-country and multi-actor. Regional and local authorities and inland water management bodies are encouraged to join as partners.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries are eligible per Annex B. Some non-EU/Non-Associated Countries may participate with their own funding per the Programme Guide. Demonstrations must be within the selected basin and span at least 3 different countries in that basin.

Target Sector:Environment, water and aquatic systems, climate adaptation and resilience, coastal and river basin management, biodiversity and nature restoration, blue economy, hydrology, urban waterfronts and islands, green infrastructure and nature-based solutions, marine and freshwater monitoring, digital ocean technologies, policy and governance.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are named. Regions and basins are specified: Atlantic and Arctic sea basin; Mediterranean Sea basin; Baltic and North Sea basin; Danube River basin including the Black Sea; EU Outermost Regions. References to EU Member States and Associated Countries are made throughout.

Project Stage (Maturity):Demonstration and validation at operational scale, with replication and scale-up planning. Target end-TRL 6-8.

Funding Amount:Expected EU contribution per project: €8,000,000 to €8,925,000. Total topic budget: €35,700,000. Indicative number of grants: 4.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage submission and evaluation via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Topic page and submission access: EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Topic.

Nature of Support:Monetary grant funding. In addition, beneficiaries may provide financial support to third parties (sub-grants) to local/regional authorities in Member States/Associated Countries, up to €100,000 each, once per recipient, to enable replication in associated regions.

Application Stages:1 (single-stage). Standard evaluation against Horizon Europe criteria (excellence, impact, quality and efficiency of implementation), with portfolio considerations to ensure coverage of all four basins (at least the highest-ranked proposal in each basin meeting thresholds will be funded to balance the portfolio).

Success Rates:Not specified. No historic success rate is provided for this topic.

Co-funding Requirement:Innovation Actions are typically funded at 70% of eligible costs for for-profit entities and at 100% for non-profit legal entities, per Horizon Europe rules. Applicants should confirm applicable funding rates in the Grant Agreement and Work Programme General Annexes.

Compliance, data, and interoperability requirements

• If satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation and/or timing data/services are used, beneficiaries must make use of Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS (other data/services may additionally be used).
• Open science and data: if projects collect in-situ data and marine observations, beneficiaries must make them openly available through EMODnet, based on FAIR principles.
• Projects must link to the Digital Twin Ocean activities (especially coastal and freshwaters) and support data and knowledge sharing via the Ocean and Water Knowledge System.
• Monitoring must cover societal acceptance and align with long-term ecological and biodiversity observations to ensure decadal-scale tracking of resilience.

Synergies, links, and prior art

Proposals should build, where relevant, on solutions developed in previous EU and national projects and programmes, including European Union Framework Programmes for R&I, the co-funded Partnership Water4All, ERDF, INTERREG, and LIFE programmes. Proposals should consider the projects funded under HORIZON-MISS-2025-01-CLIMA-03 (Demonstrating solutions to help hotspots in coastal regions to adapt to climate change). Collaboration is expected with the relevant Mission Lighthouse CSA and the Mission Implementation Platform, and cooperation with EU Outermost Regions is encouraged. Engagement with Water Oriented Living Labs (Water4All) is welcomed where appropriate.

Mission service and partner resources:Applicants can use the Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal for knowledge, financing, matchmaking, and support, including calls for associated regions and project showcases: Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal.

Evaluation, award, and grant setup

• Evaluation criteria, scoring and thresholds follow Horizon Europe General Annex D.
• Submission and evaluation processes follow General Annex F and the Online Manual.
• Balanced portfolio rule: to ensure coverage of all four Mission basins (Atlantic and Arctic; Mediterranean; Baltic and North Sea; Danube including Black Sea), awards will consider ranking and ensure at least the highest-ranked fundable proposal per basin is selected if thresholds are met.
• Legal and financial set-up follows General Annex G under HORIZON-AG (budget-based).
• Beneficiaries may provide Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) strictly as grants to local/regional authorities in MS/AC not already beneficiaries in a demonstration site of the same project, max €100,000 per third party, once per recipient, to showcase effectiveness and develop replication plans in associated regions.

Templates and application materials

Application forms and references:Use the standard Part A (online forms) and Part B (template) in the Submission System. Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA) applies. Reference documents include the HE Programme Guide, HE Model Grant Agreement (HORIZON-AG), Work Programme 2026-2027 Part 12 Missions, and General Annexes. Portal resources: EU Funding & Tenders Portal – Guidance and documents.

Financial Support to Third Parties annex:Projects planning FSTP must complete and upload the dedicated annex Information on financial support to third parties with Part B. This must describe objectives, results, maximum amount per third party (this topic allows up to €100,000), calculation criteria, closed list of eligible activities, categories of recipients (local/regional authorities as public bodies), and selection/award criteria. Template: Information on financial support to third parties (HE) – DOCX.

Other supporting materials:Applicants should consult the Work Programme 2026-2027 Part 12 Missions for full topic text and cross-references: HE Work Programme 2026-2027 – Missions (EN).

Key operational requirements for proposals

1. 1Select one Lighthouse basin and tailor activities to its specificities; include river basins flowing into the chosen sea basin.
2. 2Plan and deliver at least 6 real-world demonstration activities across different riparian/coastal types, with sites in at least 3 different countries within the basin.
3. 3Embed strong public authority engagement and citizen participation; consider living labs.
4. 4Prioritise Nature-based Solutions and integrated source-to-sea, land–sea interaction approaches; include transboundary actions where relevant.
5. 5Design robust monitoring and evaluation, covering ecological, hydromorphological, biogeochemical, socio-economic, and social acceptance dimensions; align with long-term observation programmes; integrate with Digital Twin Ocean and OWKS.
6. 6Develop a detailed replication and scale-up action plan and roadmap by project end, identifying replication sites and enablers/barriers.
7. 7Establish formal collaboration with the relevant Lighthouse CSA and the Mission Implementation Platform to track progress and share knowledge.
8. 8Engage at least 5 associated regions and operationalise FSTP where appropriate to catalyse replication by local/regional public bodies.
9. 9Ensure open data practices: share in-situ and marine observations through EMODnet; use Copernicus/Galileo/EGNOS if satellite services are employed.
10. 10Map and leverage synergies and co-funding opportunities (ERDF, Interreg, LIFE, national/regional funds, private investment).

Categorisation answers

Eligible Applicant Types:University; research institute; SME; large enterprise; public authorities and agencies (regional, local, municipal, island, inland water management bodies); nonprofit; NGO; public-private partnership; European research infrastructures and related operators; international organisations headquartered in eligible countries may participate per HE rules; other legal entities allowed under Horizon Europe. Individuals as standalone applicants are generally not eligible.

Funding Type:Grant (Horizon Europe Innovation Action), budget-based cost model under the HORIZON Action Grant.

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. Minimum 3 legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Associated Countries; practical consortium expected to be larger and multi-actor to meet demonstration in 3 countries and associated regions engagement.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries; participation of other countries per Programme Guide (typically with own funding). Demonstration activities must be within the selected basin and span at least 3 countries in that basin.

Target Sector:Climate adaptation and resilience; water and aquatic ecosystems; environment and biodiversity; blue economy and coastal management; urban waterfronts and islands; green infrastructure and nature-based solutions; data and digital ocean technologies; cross-sectoral interfaces with water, navigation, fisheries, hydropower, and energy.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries named. Regions/basins mentioned: Atlantic and Arctic sea basin; Mediterranean Sea basin; Baltic and North Sea basin; Danube River basin including the Black Sea; EU Outermost Regions. References to EU Member States and Associated Countries.

Project Stage:Demonstration and validation in operational environments, with TRL 6-8 at project end, and preparation for replication and scale-up.

Funding Amount:Typical EU contribution per project: €8,000,000 to €8,925,000. Total topic budget: €35,700,000. Indicative 4 grants.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage, via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal.

Nature of Support:Money (grant funding). Additional downstream non-financial facilitation occurs through Mission platforms and CSAs, but the opportunity itself provides financial support. Beneficiaries may distribute sub-grants (FSTP) to local/regional authorities for replication.

Application Stages:1 stage (single-stage submission and evaluation).

Success Rates:Not available. No success rate figures are provided for this forthcoming topic.

Co-funding Requirement:Yes, in the sense of Horizon Europe funding rates for Innovation Actions: typically 70% for for-profit entities; 100% for non-profit entities. Projects are also expected to leverage additional public/private investment and synergies with other funds (e.g., ERDF, LIFE, Interreg) for replication and scale-up.

Timeline and portal resources

• Planned opening: 9 February 2027.
• Deadline: 21 September 2027, 17:00 Brussels time.
• Single-stage evaluation and grant preparation per General Annex F.
• Partner search and consortium building tools available via the Portal.
• Mission Ocean and Waters Service Portal offers matchmaking, financing guidance, and knowledge resources.

General summary

This Horizon Europe Mission Ocean and Waters Innovation Action funds large, multi-actor demonstration projects that increase the resilience of riparian and coastal areas, including waterfront cities and islands, while delivering biodiversity and socio-economic co-benefits. Proposals must focus on one Lighthouse basin and deliver at least six real-world demonstrations across different coastal/riparian contexts in at least three countries within that basin. Projects must tightly engage public authorities and citizens, prioritise nature-based and source-to-sea approaches, and coordinate with Digital Twin Ocean and the Ocean and Water Knowledge System for data sharing and interoperability. Robust monitoring of ecological performance and societal acceptance, aligned with long-term observation programmes, is required. A strong replication strategy is essential: each project must work with at least five associated regions and may sub-grant up to €100,000 per local/regional authority to catalyse replication. Results should support EU climate adaptation and water resilience strategies, biodiversity objectives, and water/marine directives, and provide cross-sector guidance spanning water, navigation, fisheries, hydropower and energy. Funding ranges between €8.0 and €8.925 millionper project, with a total topic budget of €35.7 million and single-stage submission. The action targets TRL 6-8, expects consortia with public authority involvement, and encourages leveraging of ERDF, Interreg, LIFE and private investment for scale-up. Applicants must comply with open data obligations (EMODnet), use Copernicus/Galileo if satellite services are employed, and collaborate with the Mission Lighthouse CSA and Mission Implementation Platform to track and amplify Mission progress.

HORIZON-MISS-2027-03-OCEAN-01: Increasing riparian and coastal areas resilience to climate change, including in waterfront cities and islands

This Horizon Europe Innovation Action call under the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission supports demonstration projects to enhance resilience of riparian and coastal areas, waterfront cities, and islands to climate change impacts. Projects must address one specific Mission lighthouse basin and deliver at least six demonstration activities across at least three countries within that basin.

Key Dates and Budget

Opening Date:9 February 2027

Deadline:21 September 2027 at 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)

Total Indicative Budget:€35.7 million

Expected EU Contribution per Project:€8-€8.925 million (indicative number of grants: 4)

Objectives and Expected Outcomes

Projects aim to demonstrate and accelerate transitions for the Restore our Ocean and Waters Mission objectives, providing cost-effective solutions for climate resilience in riparian, coastal areas, waterfront cities, and islands. All outcomes must be addressed:

• Innovative solutions contributing to EU climate adaptation, water resilience, biodiversity strategies, Water Framework Directive, and Marine Strategy Framework Directive targets by 2030.
• Enhanced ecological functions (e.g., water quality, pollution remediation, erosion control, biodiversity restoration).
• Reduced vulnerability to climate risks (e.g., floods, sea level rise, droughts) with biodiversity co-benefits.
• Increased socio-economic benefits from restoration, pollution remediation, recreation, and tourism.
• Stakeholder engagement for upscaling solutions, synergies with programmes, and public/private investment.

Scope and Key Requirements

Proposals must focus on one Mission lighthouse: 1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin; 2. Mediterranean Sea basin; 3. Baltic and North Sea basin; or 4. Danube River basin (including delta and Black Sea). Activities tailored to basin specificities with public administration involvement, including islands.

• Test/demonstrate solutions (emphasis on Nature-based Solutions, source-to-sea approach, land-sea interactions, transboundary actions, blue economy regeneration) in riparian/coastal areas, waterfront cities, islands.
• Show replication potential with action plan/roadmap by project end.
• Monitor impacts (link to Digital Twin Ocean, Ocean and Water Knowledge System; societal acceptance; align with long-term observation programmes).
• Empower public authorities/citizens (e.g., living labs).
• Provide policy recommendations for green infrastructure and sector cooperation (water, navigation, fisheries, etc.).
• Facilitate synergies with EU/national programmes (e.g., ERDF, LIFE) and leverage funding.
• At least 6 demonstrations in different riparian/coastal areas (incl. waterfront cities/islands) across 3+ countries in the basin; achieve TRL 6-8.
• Engage 5+ associated regions (local/regional authorities) for replication/capacity building.
• Collaborate with relevant Mission lighthouse CSA, Implementation Platform, Water4All living labs; encourage EU Outermost Regions cooperation.

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

• Legal entities from EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
• Strong encouragement for regional/local authorities, inland water bodies as consortium partners.
• Non-EU/Associated Countries may participate under standard rules (see General Annex B).
• If using satellite data, must use Copernicus/Galileo/EGNOS.
• Balanced portfolio: at least one highest-ranked proposal per basin awarded if thresholds met.

Funding Details

HORIZON-IA (Innovation Actions): 70% funding rate (100% for non-profits). Budget-based grants. Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) allowed: grants up to €100,000 each to local/regional authorities (public bodies) not in consortium demonstrations, located in MS/AC, max once per recipient, for replication plans/capacity building (at least 5 associated regions). Open science: in-situ/marine data via EMODnet (FAIR principles).

Evaluation Criteria

Standard Horizon Europe award criteria (see General Annex D). Proposals evaluated for balanced coverage across 4 basins.

Application Process and Documents

1. 1Single-stage submission via Funding & Tenders Portal.
2. 2Page limits/layout per General Annexes A/E.
3. 3Include detailed budget table if lump sum (though primarily budget-based).
4. 4Model Grant Agreement: HORIZON-AG.
5. 5Reference documents: HE Work Programme 2026-2027 (Missions), Programme Guide, Online Manual.

Primary source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Further info on synergies: Mission Lighthouses; Water4All; ESFRI RI Portfolio; [[Synergies Notice||Commission Notice C(2022) 4747 final]]; Mission Portal; Outermost Regions.

Additional Applicant Considerations

Build on prior EU/national projects (e.g., FP7 REFRESH, Water4All, ERDF, INTERREG, LIFE). Consider HORIZON-MISS-2025-01-CLIMA-03. Partner search available on portal. Contact NCPs, Enterprise Europe Network for support. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Admissibility, eligibility, evaluation per General Annexes A-F. Exclusions per Annex C.