OPEN CALLS
SMART ERA is set to utilise the Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) mechanism to increase uptake of the 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, and an additional four follower regions.
To facilitate this process, two open calls will be launched during the project.
Followers Micro-Pilots
The second Open Call for Followers Micro-Pilots under the SMART ERA project will open on 12 June 2026. With this call, SMART ERA aims to transfer its results, methodologies and validation strategies to 4 new ‘follower regions’ engaging new local communities and demonstrating the replicability and potential impact of the project’s approach (cf. the Guide for Applicants).
Successful applicants will receive up to €90,000 in funding and participate in a twelve-month mentoring and support programme.
Applications will close on 15 September 2026.
Learn more and apply
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 received up to €60,000 in funding and participated 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.
