European Social Fund (ESF)
Type of action: ESF Project Grants (ESF-PJG)
Opening date: 28 May 2026
Deadline: 2 September 2026 – 17:00 Brussels time
Objectives of the Call
The call aims to promote inclusive entrepreneurship in the EU by supporting incubation and financing models for aspiring entrepreneurs from under-represented groups.
Funded actions are expected to contribute to:
- increasing participation of under-represented groups in entrepreneurship;
- improving access to incubation services and financing opportunities;
- strengthening entrepreneurial skills and business sustainability;
- fostering cooperation between incubators, financial actors and social inclusion stakeholders;
- developing innovative and transferable practices across Member States.
Specific priorities
Projects should:
- develop incubation approaches tailored to vulnerable target groups;
- improve access to finance through cooperation with microfinance and social investment actors;
- strengthen entrepreneurial capacities and business readiness;
- encourage collaboration between incubators, social economy organisations, employment services and innovation ecosystems;
- generate tools and practices that can be replicated at EU level.
Main eligibility conditions
Applications must:
- be submitted electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal;
- include Part A, Part B and all annexes in PDF format;
- not exceed 70 pages;
- comply with EU eligibility, financial and operational capacity requirements.
Eligible countries include:
- EU Member States;
- EEA countries;
- candidate and potential candidate countries in line with EU agreements.
Budget
Total indicative budget: €1,500,000.
