Call for proposals Horizon Europe: Cluster 2 – Culture, Creativity and Inclusive society -Cultural Heritage

The activities in Cluster 2 “Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society” are primarily aimed at researchers and applicants from the humanities, social and cultural sciences and the arts. Projects on the various topics in this cluster make an innovative and application-oriented contribution to important and forward-looking research and social issues in Europe.

This cluster aims to strengthen European democratic values, including rule of law and fundamental rights, safeguarding our cultural heritage, and promoting socio-economic transformations that contribute to inclusion and growth.

Areas of intervention

• Democracy and governance,
• Cultural heritage,
• Social and economic transformations.

Destination 2: Innovative research on the European cultural heritage and the cultural and creative industries

For an inclusive society, a better understanding of our cultural heritage and how it is perceived is hugely important. Within Europe and beyond, cultural heritage is a driving force of European, national, regional and local economies. It is also a powerful source of inspiration for creative and cultural industries.

Proposals under destination 2 should consider and promote in a cross-cutting way, and whenever appropriate and applicable:

• The use of digital and cutting-edge technologies;
• An active and sustainable engagement with stakeholders, social innovators and citizens;
• The active involvement of local, regional or national authorities and sectoral social partners, particularly in the uptake and implementation of research results and recommendations;
• A clear strategy for the uptake of research outcomes, recommendations or results, in particular where CCIs are participating or are concerned;
• Training and education activities for targeted groups of users and/or stakeholders;
• A robust plan for how projects will use or build on outputs and results from research already undertaken and technology already available;
• Increased participation of CCIs, SMEs and industry;
• Lessons learnt from the COVID-19 crisis in view of a sustainable management of the post-crisis society;
• Contribution to the European Green Deal, the New European Bauhaus as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.

More information can be found in the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025

Application deadline: 16 September 2025 17:00:00 Brussels time.

Call for proposal HORIZON Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society