OPEN CALLS
SMART ERA is set to utilise the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism to increase the uptake of social innovation procedures developed within the project. This includes co-design methodologies and the integration of Smart Innovation Packages (SIPs) across the project’s six pilot regions, as well as an additional four follower regions.
To facilitate this process, two open calls will be launched during the project.
Pilot Add-ons
The first Open Call for Pilot Add-ons under the SMART ERA project opened on 28 August 2025. We looked for up to 11 innovators (legal entities) to act as Technology/Solution Providers and address our 11 Rural Innovation Challenges across the six SMART ERA pilot regions (cf. the Guide for Applicants).
Successful applicants will receive up to €60,000 in funding and participate in a nine-month support programme.
Applications are now closed.
Followers micro-pilots
This funding will support four individual or consortium-based FSTP projects targeting follower regions. Each consortium will comprise a community activator (eligible for up to €30,000 in funding) and an SME or tech developer acting as a pilot orchestrator (eligible for up to €60,000 in funding). Individual applicants may also apply, covering both roles and receiving up to €60,000 in funding. The objective of this call is to transfer SMART ERA results to new pilots, engage new local communities and demonstrate the project’s potential impact . These new pilots will utilise SMART ERA methodologies to identify regional needs and co-design new SIPs based on the project’s innovative solutions.
