Horizon Europe European Union
Neutral-Atom Platform Technologies
This action aims to establish European leadership in neutral-atom quantum simulation and digital quantum computing by delivering: • Fully programmable industry-ready quan…
Horizon Europe · European Union
Towards community-driven business models: coastal and freshwaters sustainable tourism
Opens 9 Feb 2027
The EU's Horizon Europe programme expects to make 4 awards of €1 million – €1.5 million each, from a total budget of €6 million. Applications close on 21 Sep 2027 (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time). Organisations in EU member states and Horizon Europe associated countries such as Türkiye can usually take part; the topic conditions control.
- Deadline
- 21 Sep 2027 (in 310 days)
- Opens
- 9 Feb 2027
- Grant amount
- €1 million – €1.5 million per project
- Total budget
- €6 million
- Funding rate
- 70% for companies, 100% for non-profits Standard rule for this programme; the call can differ.
- Total budget
- €6 million
- Expected awards
- 4
- Type of action
- HORIZON Innovation Actions · HORIZON Action Grant Budget-Based
- Likely applicant types
- Companies, SMEs / start-ups, Non-profits, Universities & research, Public bodies From source categories or programme rules; the call decides.
- Funder
- Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
- Reference
- HORIZON-MISS-2027-03-OCEAN-04
- Call
- HORIZON-MISS-2027-03
- Last checked
- 14 Nov 2026
Expected outcome
Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
• Innovative business models for the development of entrepreneurship and successful local community-driven marine, coastal and freshwater sustainable tourism initiatives;
• Scalable and economically viable initiatives with the potential to be replicated across multiple sea basins;
• Enhanced capacity-building and increased engagement of the coastal/river/lake communities and the private sector;
• Job creation and skills development;
• Improved marine, coastal and freshwater habitats, biodiversity and enhanced conservation capacity;
• Increased awareness and behavioural change of tourists and coastal communities towards the conservation of marine and freshwater ecosystems.
Scope
The community-driven approach under this topic puts strong emphasis on engaging coastal, riparian and/or lakeside communities as well as relevant actors to build, in a sustainable way, local businesses that will support livelihood opportunities and stimulate investments, and will contribute to preserve and protect marine, coastal and freshwater habitats.
Activities under this topic will contribute to the achievement of the Mission “Public mobilisation and engagement” actions by fostering community involvement, awareness and citizen participation to amplify impact, accelerating the uptake of community-led initiatives, anticipating and planning future investments for sustainable tourism. These activities should consider the specific needs and challenges of diverse individuals and groups in local communities, including groups in a vulnerable situation, with a focus on promoting gender equality and non-discrimination addressing the intersectionality with poverty and social exclusion.
Read the full text
The focus of activities will be on testing the feasibility and socio-economic viability of site-specific initiatives providing opportunities to couple business-based activities with the protection and restoration of marine and freshwaters ecosystems, in ways that produce benefits for both the environment and local communities. In addition, proposals are encouraged to explore synergies with the New European Bauhaus Initiative in the design and/or implementation of activities under this topic.
Each proposal should address only one basin / Mission “lighthouse”, which should be explicitly stated in the proposal, i.e.: 1. Atlantic and Arctic sea basin or 2. Mediterranean Sea basin or 3. Baltic and North Sea basin or 4. Danube River basin (including the Black Sea). Activities should be tailored to address regional/sea basin specificities. The basins / Mission “lighthouses” include the river basins flowing into the respective sea basins.
All following aspects should be addressed:
• Demonstration of community-driven tourism business models in at least 3 European coastal and freshwater areas in different Member States/Associated Countries, implementing diverse initiatives to engage and involve tourists and/or users of the sea (e.g.: citizen science initiatives; clean up initiatives; regenerative practices, co-management of protected areas, etc.);
• Promotion of sustainable practices to minimise negative pressures of tourism on marine and freshwater environments (e.g.: pollution, eco-friendly products, waste reduction) and to protect habitats and biodiversity;
• Inclusive and accessible capacity building, training and skill development actions addressing both local communities to enhance their entrepreneurship , and tourists, to promote behavioural changes;
• Governance structure to ensure the effective involvement of all relevant stakeholders and the long-term financial sustainability of the initiatives;
• Exploration of possible financial instruments for the upscale of the…
Who can apply
Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule).
Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.
Topics
Democratic engagement and civic participation Marine Ecosystems Ocean Sea-Basin Strategies Valorisation and capacity building freshwater protection marine protection sustainable tourism
Timing
Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-09-21. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).
How to apply
- Read the full topic on the Funding & Tenders Portal: expected outcome, scope, type of action and the topic conditions, including any country restrictions.
- Register each participating organisation in the Funding & Tenders Portal to get a PIC.
- Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries (Horizon Europe standard rule; Türkiye is associated). Confirm in the topic conditions.
- Prepare Part A (administrative forms and budget, completed in the portal) and Part B (the technical description on the official template for this type of action).
- Submit in the portal before the cut-off time on the deadline day. Late submissions are not accepted.
From the call text
- Who can apply
- Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
- Company stage
- Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
- Single applicant or consortium
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
- Where applicants must be based
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
- Where to apply
- Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route.
Where these facts come from
| Fact | Value | How we know | Taken from the source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | 21 September 2027 “Single-stage call. Next deadline 2027-09-21. The portal states the exact cut-off time (EU calls usually close at 17:00 Brussels time).” | official data field | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Amount per applicant | Unknown — not stated in the source we hold | unknown | — |
| Total budget | €6 million | official data field | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Funding rate | 70% for companies, 100% for non-profits | programme standard rule | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Who can apply | Consortium of at least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or associated countries, at least one in a Member State (Horizon Europe standard rule). | programme standard rule | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Where to apply | Read the topic conditions on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for eligible countries, consortium requirements, budget and the application route. | read from the official text | 15 Nov 2026 |
Official sources
Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 14 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.
More from Horizon Europe
Horizon Europe European Union
Next-Generation QKD Systems
This action will strengthen Europe's strategic autonomy in quantum-secure communications by advancing core QKD technologies and integration capabilities. Expected results…
Horizon Europe European Union
Quantum Experimental Pilot Lines for Quantum Technologies
This action will strengthen Europe's leadership and strategic autonomy in quantum technologies by advancing experimental pilot line capacities as a vital stepping stone t…
Horizon Europe European Union
Quantum-Testing Infrastructure for Quantum Technologies
This action will establish a pan-European open-access testing and experimentation infrastructure for quantum technologies, enabling systematic validation and certificatio…
Horizon Europe European Union
Superconducting Platform Technologies
This action will consolidate Europe’s position in superconducting quantum computing through: • Establishment of a full-stack superconducting quantum computer aiming at 1.…