OPEN CALL TO SUPPORT INITIATIVES
LED BY MULTI-ACTOR TEAMS

The SoilTribes project is proud to launch an open call for lump sum grants
supporting innovative, cross-sector initiatives that champion soil literacy,
mobilize communities, and protect one of our most precious resources: soil.

A hand holding coins and leaves

WHAT’S THIS ABOUT?

SoilTribes is rooted in the European Union mission “A Soil Deal for Europe” and aligns with its goals to restore soil health, engage communities, and increase soil literacy.

WHAT IS THE AIM?

SoilTribes invites applicants to submit their ideas for lump sum grants aimed at supporting innovative, multi-actor initiatives that foster soil literacy, raise public awareness, and engage diverse communities in the protection and restoration of soil.

These grants are designed to trigger behavioral change and galvanize innovation at the intersection of science, arts, and society.

A hand holding a plant

Restore soil health

5 hands connecting with one yellow thread

Engage communities

A hand holding a plant

Increase soil literacy

GRANT CATEGORIES & AVAILABLE BUDGET

The call is divided into two LOTS, depending on the maturity of your idea:

Lot 1:

Development of New Ideas:

For early-stage, experimental or
creative projects

Lot 2:

Improvement & Scale-Up:

For initiatives with proven experience
looking to grow or replicate

Within each Lot, proposals must fall under at least one of the following strands:

A megaphone, a message and an email

Communication
campaigns:

Strategic messaging to
boost soil awareness

A calendar

Creative soil-related
activities and events:

Using art and culture to
tell soil stories

A network

Citizens’
engagement:

Empowering communities
through co-creation and participation

Projects are defined by their grant size, based on the scope, ambition and implementation needs of their project. The call provides three options, each associated with a specific implementation period:

Grant size, budget, project duration smaill, 25000, 6 months medium, 50000, 9 months large, 100000, 12 months

WHO CAN APPLY?

This call is open to public or private legal entities based in EU Member States, their Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT), or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, including:

  • organizations from creative and cultural industries and sectors, including legal artistic entities
  • non-profit organisation (private or public);
  • public authorities (national, regional, local);
  • international organisations;
  • non-governmental organisations;
  • universities;
  • educational institutions;
  • think tanks;
  • research centres;
  • startups and SMEs;

Depending on the grant size, proposals can be submitted by a single applicant or consortium, as follows:

  • For small projects, applications by single applicants are allowed (single beneficiaries), as well as proposals submitted by a consortium of at least 2 applicants
  • For medium and large projects, proposals must be submitted by a consortium composed of at least three entities
Important

IMPORTANT

Both mono-beneficiary and consortium must ensure at least a
leading or partner organization is from cultural and creative
industries and sectors.

BE SURE TO REVIEW THE FULL OPEN CALL DOCUMENTATION BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

General guidelines
Blank application form
contract template
A calendar
A calendar

KEY DATES

  • Call opens: 11 August 2025
  • Deadline for submissions: 10 October 2025 at 17:00 CET
  • Results announced: Mid-December 2025
  • Project start: February 2026

NEED SUPPORT?

We’re here to help!
Join our live info sessions:

  • Webinar #1: 22 August | 12:30 CET
  • Webinar #2: 8 September | 17:30 CET
  • Webinar #3: 23 September | 12:30 CET
  • Webinar #4: 6 October | 17:30 CET

Register for a webinar
Contact for Questions and Support: For any questions related to the application process, eligibility, or technical support, you can reach out to the SoilTribes team at hello@soiltribes.eu

Apply now

Do you have expertise in soil science, sustainability, or interdisciplinary project evaluation?

The SoilTribes project is seeking qualified professionals to join its independent jury panel and help select innovative initiatives under its Open Call for Lump Sum Grants.

As a jury member, you’ll assess innovative proposals that connect science, arts, and civic action to restore and protect Europe’s soils. This is an opportunity to contribute your knowledge, support community-driven change, and be part of a bold mission for a healthier planet.

Application deadline: October 10, 2025 | 17.00 CET

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Apply now
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An individual running their own business without a separate legal personality (e.g. sole trader, self‐employed etc.), is an eligible applicant. Please note that if selected, they will be asked to provide business data and attach copies of official support documents to prove legal registration.

Yes, for-profit creative organizations are eligible to apply.

An organization is considered part of the Creative Sector if its core activities fall within cultural, artistic, design, media, or other recognized creative industries. This designation can also be reinforced if the organization’s NACE code falls within the “90s range,” covering Section S of NACE Rev. 2.1, which includes divisions such as:
90 – Artistic creation and performing arts,
91 – Libraries, archives, museums and other cultural activities, and
92–93 – Entertainment, amusement, recreation, and sports-related activities

Selected applicants may be asked to provide supporting documentation of their sector-related activity.

All partners can be located in a single country, forming an international consortium is not mandatory. However, all projects must demonstrate its European Added Value, generating value beyond the national, regional or local context through transferability, scalability or other relevant dimensions that allow broader uptake or learning from the project’s results.

Yes, applicants may submit the same project to multiple open calls. However, please note the no double funding rule: it is strictly prohibited to cumulate funding from the EU budget. Any given action may receive only one grant from the EU budget, and cost items may under no circumstances be declared under two different EU grants. In this context, both SoilTribes and Soilscape are running simultaneous calls. The project consortia are coordinating to ensure that the same project is not accepted in both calls.

Project activities must take place in one of the Member States of the European Union and its Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) or Associated Countries to Horizon Europe. All projects must demonstrate strong European added value.

Yes, an organization may take part as a partner in multiple proposals, as long as it can clearly demonstrate the necessary capacity and resources. Please note, however, that the maximum funding SoilTribes can grant to any single third party is EUR 100,000.

For Medium and Large (consortium) projects, it is mandatory that at least one partner belongs to the Cultural and Creative Industries. However, this partner does not need to be the lead applicant. For Small projects, if the application is submitted by a single beneficiary, that organization must be from the Cultural and Creative Industries. If the Small project is submitted by a consortium, then at least one partner must be a CCI, even if the lead is not.

No. A larger consortium is not considered more beneficial or competitive. What evaluators will be looking for is whether the proposed project team and consortium partners have the capacity, expertise, and experience to successfully carry out the project.

The sub-grant is paid in three instalments:

  • First payment: 50% advance, made after signing the Sub-Grant Agreement.
  • Second payment: 30% as an interim payment, based on the maximum amount specified in Article 3 of the agreement.
  • Third payment: 20% as the balance (final payment), based on the maximum amount specified in Article 3.

For sub-grants of EUR 100,000 and EUR 50,000, a financial viability check will be carried out. Depending on the outcome of this verification, the payment scheme may be adjusted.