EU opportunities
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The EU provides funding for a range of projects and programmes, covering a wide variety of areas and topics – including the Construction Sector. The Construction Sector is among the 18 key sectors that EU focuses on.
A company or organization is more than welcome to come up with a project idea, and in collaboration with other companies or organizations to form a consortium in order to apply for funds from the EU in order to make it true.
General Tips:
- Select the Fund you are going to apply carefully.
- Align your project idea with the Priorities of EU and of the specific fund you are going to apply.
- Challenge your own idea. Question its implementation.
- Check Eligibility.
- Build a suitable Consortium.
- Pick the right partners.
- Engage experienced partners from different countries.
- Do not overestimate your capacity.
- Keep in mind that your project must present exceptional EU value.
Below you can find the most relevant EU Funding opportunities.
Erasmus+ is one of the largest EU’ programmes, not only in budget (the 2021-2027 programme has an estimated budget of €26.2 billion) but also in the type of projects and collaborations that fosters. It mainly provides mobility and cooperation opportunities in
- higher education
- vocational education and training
- school education (including early childhood education and care)
- adult education
- youth
- sport
Entities from the construction sector can either create or join projects focusing in mobility (check EU funding Mechanims) and in VET (such as the Construction Blueprint project) or become partners with other entities in projects connected to the sector in different ways (for example a project about how to foster or develop more accessible sport facilities for disabled people, under the sport priority).
The European Commission always seeks for innovative ideas with practical social impact, which are to be implemented by cross-sectoral cooperation. Especially, the 2021-2027 programme places a strong focus on social inclusion, the green and digital transitions, and promoting young people’s participation in democratic life.
Here you can find the Programme Guide, and all the type of projects and funding opportunities, that can be either submitted in central applications or in national agencies.
Funding opportunities from 30.000 € (small scale partnerships) to 4.000.000 € (collaborations for excellence) can be found.
Last but not least, remember that the EU commission supports projects with non-EU countries. Take a look at them here.
Tip A!
If your organization holds no to limited experiences in EU funding projects, try to submit on a small scale project, preferably with a more experienced partner.
Search for specific funding calls and tenders using the correct keywords and filters here
Horizon Europe is one of the most interesting and challenging EU funding programmes. Legal entities from the EU and associated countries can participate.
It stands as the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation with a budget of €95.5 billion.
The programme facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation in developing, supporting and implementing EU policies while tackling global challenges. It supports creating and better dispersing of excellent knowledge and technologies.
One of its top priorities is climate change, and the achievement of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals and boosts the EU’s competitiveness and growth.
Horizon Europe, fosters collaborations between exceptional research institutes and end-user entities, fostering (in other words) objective-driven and ambitious partnerships with industry in support of EU policy objectives.
The construction sector plays a key role in reversing the climate change and support the UN’s Sustainable Goals. The Construction Blueprint project addresses three of the many fields that can a Horizon Europe project can build around (Energy Efficiency, Digitalisation, Circular Economy).
Tip B!
Make sure that you have become part of a strong consortium of experts before you apply. Check the previous projects here, to get inspired and better understand the project.
Search for specific funding calls and tenders using the correct keywords and filters here
Interreg Europe is an interregional cooperation programme, co-funded by the European Union (70-80%), with a budget of €379 million, for 4 years projects.
The programme contributes to all EU priorities and strives for better regional governance through capacity building.
Projects related to the construction sector apply all the above categories, from smart and green building to infrastructures that address more social issues.
The programme’s webpage, offers a quite friendly and supporting system to welcome potential applicants and aids them to build successful consortia.
- You can check the relevance of your project.
- Get inspired of what you can apply for or improve your idea.
- Register and submit a project idea to share it with others to find partners and/or ask for feedback.
- Partners from 29 European Countries are eligible to apply.
Check for more information at the programme manual
Tip C!
Interreg Europe is just the “tip of the iceberg”, there are many more intereg programmes fostering cross-border and regional projects around Europe, find them all here.
The European Social Fund Plus is an €99 billion programme, aiming to increase the social cohesion of Europe and its member countries.
It unfolds into:
Among to its main priorities, ESF+ specifically focuses on projects related in infrastructures of important impact, including buildings, roads, etc. which are highly linked to the construction sector.
TIP D!
You do not always have to be an entity active in European level or develop collaborations in EU level, to get access to funds. Many EU funding opportunities are managed by national or regional authorities.
Organisations and individuals interested in applying for ESF+ funding – or wishing to submit a project proposal – should consult their national/regional ESF+ portals. Links to portals can also be found on the national pages, which provide contact details for ESF+ Managing Authorities.
The LIFE Programme is the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.
It has 4 main topics related to
- Nature and Biodiversity
- Circular Economy and Quality of Life
- Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation
- Clean Energy Transition
The close relationship between the construction sector and the environment can lead to a series of projects that can fall under the LIFE Programme, from “green” building to environmental friendly techniques such as Circular Economy. If you hold a cleantech solution or idea, be sure to check LIFE.
TIP E!
You do not have to be a “large” entity to get access in EU Funding opportunities. Many EU funds support SME.
The LIFE programme is not an exception check for more here.
LIFE supports different types of grants
- Standard Action Projects (SAP)
- Strategic Nature Projects (SNAP)
- Strategic Integrated Projects (SIP)
- Technical Assistance Projects (TA)
- Other Action Grants (OAG)
- Operating Grants (OG)
Follow the following link to check for new calls and to get support for your application.
Calls for Proposals
Support for Applicants
The EMFF fund
- helps fishers adapt to sustainable fishing
- supports coastal communities in diversifying their economies
- finances projects that create new jobs and improve quality of life along European coasts
- supports sustainable aquaculture developments
- makes it easier for applicants to access financing
- supports the implementation of the maritime policy
For the next long-term EU budget 2021-2027, the Commission is proposing €6.14 billion under a simpler, more flexible fund for European fisheries and the maritime economy.
The construction sector is not far away from the maritime economy. Shipwrecks, ports, any infrastructures on, under, or by the sea, can be used as the center or a part of a project.
TIP F!
Keep your minds open. The project idea can be oriented in other sectors, fields, or results. A construction organization should only be able to play a key role to the submitted project. Seek collaborations even to the most irrelevant fields.
Yet a temporary recovery instrument the Recovery and Resilience Facility is the key instrument of the EU to emerge stronger and more resilient from the current crises.
It is developed around six main pillars:
- Green Transition
- Digital Transformation
- Smart, sustainable and inclusive growth
- Social & territorial cohesion
- Health, and economic, social and institutional resilience
- Policies for the next generation.
The Recovery and Resilience Facility is strongly linked to the national recovery and resilience plans. Check the one of your country in order to get more information about how you can be a part of it.
Tip G!
Your project idea must be address one or more than one true needs and challenges, that can be either ongoing or upcoming. The more benefit from your project idea, the most appealing will be to get funded and implemented.