Up to €90,000 available for new rural communities willing to drive innovation, sustainability and citizen-led transformation

Trento, 12 June 2026 – SMART ERA – SMART community-led transition for Europe’s Rural Areas, a project funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, has officially launched its Second Open Call, inviting rural communities across Europe to become part of a growing movement for locally driven innovation and sustainable development.

The call will remain open from 12 June until 15 September 2026 (13:00 CEST) and will support up to four Follower Micro-Pilots willing to adopt and implement the methodologies, tools and approaches developed by SMART ERA.

Rural areas cover more than 80% of the European Union’s territory and are home to around 30% of its population. Yet many regions continue to face significant challenges, including population decline, ageing demographics, reduced access to services and limited economic opportunities. SMART ERA addresses these challenges by placing local communities at the centre of the transition process and enabling citizens to actively shape the future of their territories.

Through this Second Open Call, selected regions will have the opportunity to apply SMART ERA’s community-led innovation framework, engaging local stakeholders in co-creation processes and implementing Smart Innovation Packages (SIPs) designed to address real local needs through a combination of social, digital and organisational innovation.

Successful applicants may receive up to €90,000 in funding per project. Applications can be submitted by consortia bringing together a Community Activator, responsible for stakeholder engagement and community mobilisation, and a Pilot Orchestrator, typically an SME or technology developer leading the implementation of pilot activities.

The initiative represents a key step in scaling SMART ERA’s impact beyond its original pilot regions and fostering a new generation of rural innovation ecosystems capable of delivering long-term economic, social and environmental benefits.

“Rural communities have tremendous innovation potential. Through this Open Call, SMART ERA aims to make proven methodologies, tools and knowledge available to new territories, enabling citizens and local stakeholders to lead meaningful and sustainable transformations tailored to their specific needs.”

Requirements and how to apply

This call is open until 15 September 2026 at 13:00 CEST.

Before applying, please read the SMART ERA Guide for Applicants .docx carefully

For more information and to submit your application, please visit: SMART ERA – 2nd Open Call for Followers Micro-Pilots – Apply Now.

If you encounter any technical issues or have any queries while filling in the online application form, please contact us directly at: SMARTERA.help@fundingbox.com, or post your questions in the SMART ERA Helpdesk in Discord. You can find out how to access the community here.

On 18 June at 12:00, we will also hold an introductory webinar for prospective applicants. Sign up here.