The FRIEND CCI project offers SMEs a new funding opportunity: the second call for project proposals is now open. With a generous budget of €538,000, this call aims to stimulate creativity, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration within the creative-cultural sector.
Results of the First Funding Call
The first FRIEND CCI call was a great success, funding 11 projects and involving 29 companies from 9 European countries. These figures not only demonstrate the growing interest in this sector but also the profound impact of the program on the creative-cultural ecosystem. The funded projects highlighted the essential role of innovation and cross-sector collaboration in our era.
Key Details about Eligibility Criteria
Consortia wishing to apply must meet certain criteria:
- Each consortium must consist of 2 to 5 SMEs.
- It is necessary for at least one company in the consortium to have an eligible CAEN code and at least one company to have a CAEN code from a different sector.
- The consortium leader must be from one of the specified countries: Spain, Italy, Romania, France, or Germany.
- All submitted projects must have an implementation period of exactly 12 months.
- Proposed activities must include staff qualification and requalification, and an internationalization activity.
Funding: A Lever for Development
Each selected project can receive funding between €20,000 and €50,000. This allows SMEs in the cultural-creative sector to expand their horizons and explore new areas of innovation and collaboration. Projects requiring a larger budget for implementation can be co-financed by the applying consortium.
This second FRIEND CCI funding call is a call to action for all SMEs dreaming of innovating and developing. It is an invitation to be part of a broader movement, a community of innovative thinkers, aiming to shape the future of the creative-cultural sector at the European level.
The application process is designed to be as accessible and transparent as possible. All necessary information, including the call guide and relevant documentation, is available online at this link. The deadline for submitting applications is January 14, 2024, providing ample time for thorough preparation and the development of innovative project proposals.
About the FRIEND CCI Project
The FRIEND CCI initiative, funded by the European Union, is distinguished by a unique and integrated approach. This is not just a funding program, but a collective effort to highlight and support revolutionary ideas and fruitful collaborations between SMEs from different sectors. The goal is to create an environment conducive to the development of creative, sustainable, and efficient solutions to contemporary challenges.
The FRIEND CCI project is a catalyst for change and innovation and offers a unique opportunity for companies to demonstrate their potential, to innovate, and to collaborate internationally.
For more information, contact Open Hub Creative Cluster at the email address projects@openhub.ro.
Project co-financed by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Council for Innovation and of the Executive Agency for SMEs (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the funding authority can be held responsible for them.