€22 million for addressing societal challenges arising from the war against Ukraine

The European Competence Centre for Social Innovation has launched a new open call under the ESF+ Social Innovation + Initiative, aiming at mitigating the societal consequences caused by the Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine.

With an indicative budget of €22 million, the call aims to finance innovative and impactful projects that address the challenges faced by EU societies and public services due to the ongoing crisis. The focus is on supporting the integration and social inclusion of people displaced from Ukraine, assisting Member States in these unprecedented circumstances.

In line with the objectives of the ESF+ Social Innovation + initiative, this call promotes transnational cooperation and mutual learning among EU Member States. It seeks to foster the transfer and upscaling of social innovation, introducing new approaches to societal challenges that empower citizens and improve our societies and welfare systems.

Key objectives:

• Enhancing integration and social inclusion: applications should offer comprehensive strategies for integrating refugees into host countries within the EU, including tailored approaches to employment, skill development, housing, and access to essential social and care services.
• Alleviating consequence of the crisis on EU societies: recognising the broader implications of the crisis, the initiative also focuses on innovative models to address challenges such as energy poverty, economic pressures, and the development of inclusive social services.

Eligibility and Application Details:

Legal entities based within the EU are encouraged to apply. The call for proposals is open from 24 January 2024 and will close on 30 May 2024 at 5:00 PM CEST (extended deadline).

For detailed information on application procedures, eligibility criteria, and further guidance, please visit the dedicated call page.