Call Town Twinning 2026

Topic description

Expected Outcome: Expected results: Strengthened mutual understanding and friendship among citizens at local level; Better opportunities for citizens to experience and appreciate the added value of the EU through a grassroots, community-based approach; An increased sense of belonging to the EU; Long-lasting bond between municipalities and between citizens; Increased cross-border cooperation on similar practical issues of democratic participation between municipalities and between citizens, going beyond cultural exchanges; Increased effectiveness of prevention policies at local level aimed at preventing against domestic violence and violence against children; • Increased inclusion of marginalised communities, disadvantaged groups and groups at risk of discrimination; Improved accessibility for persons with disabilities and better inclusion in the community; Increased citizen participation in inclusive and meaningful cultural activities and organisations and increased citizens’ contact with Europe’s rich cultural heritage, particularly of people belonging to disadvantaged and marginalised communities or to groups at risk of discrimination and children Objective: The programme helps to promote intercultural dialogue by bringing people of different nationalities and different languages together and giving them the opportunity to participate in common activities. In this context, Town-Twinning projects will raise awareness of the richness of Europe's cultural and linguistic environment and promote mutual understanding and respect, contributing to the development of a respectful, dynamic and multifaceted European identity and the respect of common values, democracy and fundamental rights. In view of this overall objective, the projects may address the following priorities: Fostering active citizenship and democratic participation at local level. Promoting inclusion, equality and respect for diversity. Raising awareness of EU values, rights and democratic standards. Strengthening social resilience and addressing local challenges. Supporting community-based action to prevent and raise awareness of violence, including domestic violence and violence against children, and promoting inclusive approaches to local well-being. Encouraging cultural participation and heritage. Raising awareness of accessibility and participation for persons with disabilities. Scope: Promote exchanges between citizens of different countries, in particular through town twinning, to give them practical experience of the wealth and diversity of the common heritage of the Union and to make them aware that these constitute the foundation for a common future.

Conditions and documents

Conditions 1. Admissibility conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in the call document . Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. 2. Eligible countries described in the call document . 3. Other eligibility conditions described in the call document . 4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in the call document . 5a. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes described in the call document . 5b. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds Evaluation criteria, scoring, threshold and process are described in the call document . 5. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in the call document . Publication of the call: 28/04/2026. Deadline for submitting applications: 23/09/2026 17:00 (Brussels time). Evaluation period: October 2026 - February 2027. Information to applicants: March 2027. Signature of grant agreement: June 2027. 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants n/a Call document and annexes: Call document Application form templates Standard application form (CERV) — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Calculator (CERV LS TownTT) Model Grant Agreements (MGA) CERV MGA Lump Sum MGA Additional documents: CERV Work Programmes CERV Regulation 2021/692 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement

Budget overview

{
  "budgetTopicActionMap": {
    "114180": [
      {
        "action": "CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-TT - CERV-LS CERV Lump Sum Grants",
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "6000000"
        },
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-09-23"
        ],
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "expectedGrants": 0,
        "maxContribution": 0,
        "minContribution": 0,
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-06"
      }
    ]
  },
  "budgetYearsColumns": [
    "2026"
  ]
}