Re-imagining the creative economy: the interplay between the cultural and creative sectors and industries and the social economy

This funding opportunity pertains to the Horizon Europe call identified as HORIZON-CL2-2027-01-HERITAGE-05, titled "Re-imagining the Creative Economy: the interplay between the cultural and creative sectors and industries and the social economy." It is structured as a Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and will be open for proposals from May 13, 2027, until September 23, 2027. A total budget of €10,500,000 is allocated for this topic, with an expectation to fund approximately three grants, each ranging from €3,000,000 to €3,500,000, using a lump sum grant mechanism, thus eliminating the need for applicant co-funding.

Eligible applicants include a diverse range of organizations such as universities, research institutions, small and medium-sized enterprises, large enterprises, public organizations, non-governmental organizations, social enterprises, cooperatives, and foundations. Collaboration through consortia involving multiple legal entities across different EU member states and associated countries is mandatory, typically requiring a minimum of three participants.

The geographic scope encompasses all EU member states and associated countries, emphasizing international collaboration while remaining open to third-country participation under specific arrangements.

The call specifically aims to advance social and cultural innovation projects that bridge the cultural and creative sectors with the social economy, addressing themes such as job creation, social cohesion, inclusive growth, and sustainable development. The respective projects should span various stages from research to validation and demonstration, producing case studies, policy frameworks, and hybrid business models.

The application process is outlined as single-stage, allowing for direct submission of complete proposals via electronic channels. Proposals will be evaluated based on several criteria including admissibility, eligibility, financial and operational capacity, and relevance to the thematic areas addressed.

While specific success rates have not been detailed in the documentation, general trends indicate a competitive environment, with historical data suggesting moderate success rates for similar initiatives. Although no co-funding is mandated, applicants may still seek additional funding from other sources to enhance their project scope.

In summary, this opportunity under the Horizon Europe program seeks to leverage the cultural and creative sectors to drive social impact and economic sustainability through innovative, inclusive practices, fostering a resilient and equitable creative economy across Europe.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on re-imagining the creative economy by exploring the interplay between cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) and the social economy. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically the "Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society" call for 2027. The action type is HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions), utilizing a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]. It is a forthcoming, single-stage application process with a planned opening date of May 13, 2027, and a deadline of September 23, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The core objective is to enhance the transformative potential of CCSIs by leveraging social economy principles to drive social impact, economic sustainability, quality job creation, and resilient cultural and creative sectors. Projects should aim to develop and test innovative frameworks and models that move beyond traditional market logics, adopting cooperative, participatory, and socially oriented approaches.

Expected outcomes include:

Evidence-based policy frameworks and guidelines promoting the convergence of creative and social economy models.
Case studies, indicators, and evaluation methods to measure the social and economic impact of CCSI in social economy frameworks, provided for policymakers and stakeholders, with identified areas for improvement.
Hybrid CCSI business models incorporating social economy principles, balancing profitability and social responsibility, with scalable examples across different regions and sectors.
Workforce development strategies addressing precarious employment in creative sectors, including alternative employment structures, skill-sharing, and professional development, enhancing socio-economic diversity and mobility in creative industries, using gender-sensitive and intersectional approaches to address inequalities.

The scope encompasses three key areas:

1. Sustainable Growth and Quality Employment:

Analyzing the impact of social economy models on CCSI sustainability, resilience, and growth, especially during crises.
Examining how social economy principles address precarious employment, support alternative employment, and foster professional development, contributing to creative entrepreneurial ecosystems for regional development.
Exploring financing mechanisms, fiscal incentives, and solutions to incentivize social reinvestment.
Investigating how social economy enterprises address socio-economic diversity, income inequality, inclusivity, and promote innovation within CCSIs.

2. Innovation, Local Development, and Social Impact:

Investigating how CCSI social enterprises drive innovation (including social innovation), social participation, and empower marginalized groups.
Highlighting social entrepreneurship’s role in catalysing new business models and value-driven practices addressing societal challenges.
Assessing CCSI social economy enterprises' contribution to local development, social cohesion, and responsible consumption.

3. Policy and Comparative Studies:

Analyzing and comparing policy frameworks supporting the convergence of creative economy and social economy models in the EU and beyond.
Identifying best practices and proposing recommendations for integrated strategies enhancing sustainable, inclusive development and innovation.

The general conditions for admissibility include adhering to proposal page limits and layout guidelines as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form. Eligible countries are detailed in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are detailed in Annex C, while evaluation and award processes are described in Annexes D and F, respectively. Legal and financial aspects are governed as per Annex G, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021.

Application and evaluation forms are available in the Submission System, along with guidance documents such as the HE Programme Guide and Lump Sum MGA. Additional documents include the Horizon Europe Main Work Programme, EU Financial Regulation, and rules for legal entity validation.

The budget overview for 2027 includes various topics under the call, with opening dates on May 13, 2027, and deadlines on September 23, 2027. Contributions and indicative numbers of grants vary by topic, spanning from Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) to Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) and Innovation Actions (IA).

Partner search announcements can be viewed and edited by LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

Support resources include an Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and Partner Search tools.

In summary, this funding opportunity aims to foster innovative and sustainable approaches within the cultural and creative sectors by integrating social economy principles. It encourages projects that can demonstrate social impact, economic viability, and quality job creation, while also addressing societal challenges and promoting inclusive growth across Europe. The call seeks to bridge the gap between creative industries and the social economy, fostering a fairer and more resilient creative ecosystem.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but inferred from the text, they include entities involved in social economy, cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI), private initiatives (impact-oriented enterprises, cooperatives, associations), public policy entities, cooperatives, mutual benefit societies, associations (including charities), and foundations. The call is open to a wide range of stakeholders including researchers, policymakers, social entrepreneurs and creative industry professionals.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

Consortium Requirement: The text suggests that a consortium is preferred, as it emphasizes inter-, multi-, and trans-disciplinary approaches, cross-sectoral cooperation, and stakeholder involvement. The partner search announcements also indicate the possibility of forming consortia.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility appears to be focused on the EU, but also includes non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding in Horizon Europe projects. The Horizon Europe Programme Guide provides more details.

Target Sector: The program targets the intersection of social economy and the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI). It focuses on sustainable and inclusive development, economic growth, job creation, innovation, addressing income inequality, social cohesion, culture- and creativity-led innovation, and inclusive growth across Europe. Key areas include sustainable growth and quality employment, innovation, local development and social impact, and policy and comparative studies.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses primarily on Europe, with mentions of the EU and non-EU/non-Associated Countries participating in Horizon Europe. Italy is mentioned in reference to an OECD note for the Italy G20 Presidency Culture Working Group.

Project Stage: The project stage is geared towards research, development, and innovation, as indicated by the HORIZON-RIA (Research and Innovation Actions) funding type. The projects are expected to investigate, develop, and test innovative frameworks and models.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, as detailed in the Budget overview. The contributions range from €3,000,000 to €5,000,000 for Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), €2,500,000 to €4,800,000 for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), and €3,000,000 to €3,750,000 for Innovation Actions (IA).

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage call, as indicated by the "Deadline model: single-stage" in the general information.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant, as indicated by the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] MGA type.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight into the potential success rate. For example, some topics indicate that only 1 grant will be awarded, while others may award up to 5 grants.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, part of the Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society program, aims to foster the interplay between the cultural and creative sectors and industries (CCSI) and the social economy. It seeks to fund projects that investigate, develop, and test innovative frameworks and models leveraging social economy principles to drive social impact, economic sustainability, quality job creation, and resilient cultural and creative sectors across Europe. The call is structured around several key areas, including sustainable growth and quality employment, innovation, local development and social impact, and policy and comparative studies. Funding is provided through lump sum grants for Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), and Innovation Actions (IA), with varying budget allocations and indicative numbers of grants for each topic. The application process is a single-stage submission, with a planned opening date in May 2027 and a deadline in September 2027. The call encourages interdisciplinary approaches, cross-sectoral cooperation, and stakeholder involvement to address societal challenges and promote a fairer creative economy.