Up to €60,000 for each SME in a project under the new CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE call SMEs in Romania can obtain funding of up to €120,000 per project through the new call launched by the CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE Eurocluster, dedicated to innovation in cultural heritage. Each SME participating in a project can receive up to €60,000 in non-repayable funding, within projects developed in partnership with other European companies. The call supports initiatives that deliver new, digital, and sustainable solutions in the cultural heritage field. Projects can be submitted under two tracks:
- Product innovation – €120,000 grant / project
- Process innovation – €77,000 grant / project
The minimum co-financing rate is 15%, and European funding can cover up to 85% of the project’s total budget. In total, at least 20 European projects will be funded, involving a minimum of 40 SMEs.
Application procedure – two mandatory stages
The submission process follows a two-stage approach:
Stage 1 – Project concept submission
Applicants (individual SMEs or already formed groups) must submit a concise description of their project concept and select the track they are applying for: Product innovation or Process innovation. At this stage, an estimated budget is NOT required. The Stage 1 application form is available HERE. Deadline: 20 April 2026. Selection in Stage 1 does NOT imply funding approval. Only SMEs selected in Stage 2 will receive the grant.
Stage 2 – Full collaborative project
Stage 2 requires the submission of a detailed collaborative project. The Stage 2 call will open in June 2026. Deadline for Stage 2: 31 August 2026. Complete information on Stage 2 requirements is available in the official call document.
Call budget
The total budget allocated to this call is €1,970,000, distributed as follows:
- €1,200,000 for projects with product innovation as the main objective
- €770,000 for projects with process innovation as the main objective
Funding is awarded as a fixed grant per project, and selection will be carried out through a competitive two-stage process. Application forms are available HERE, and after completing them, they must be uploaded to the official application platform available HERE. Interested SMEs can consult the call guidelines HERE.
Who can apply?
The call is open to SMEs from Romania and other European countries that want to develop innovative projects in the cultural heritage sector. Partnerships between companies from different fields are encouraged, especially those that can bring technological, digital, or sustainability expertise to projects with real impact. Projects must clearly demonstrate added value, innovation, and contribution to the development of the sector, including cultural heritage. Eligibility criteria, full documentation, and the application form are available HERE.
Join the online webinar presenting the call!
The call will be officially presented during the online webinar “Culture as an Economic Driver in the New AgoraEU Programme,” organized on 17 March 2026, between 13:00 and 15:00 CET, in English. Interested SMEs will be able to find out details about eligibility conditions, the application process, and evaluation criteria, as well as ask questions directly to the organizers. Webinar registration is available HERE.
Who is OpenHub?
In Romania, the CR.EU.IN Heritage project is represented by OpenHub, an organization active in supporting entrepreneurship and innovation. OpenHub provides support to SMEs interested in applying through information, clarifications, and by facilitating connections with European partners. Interested companies can request details at: projects@openhub.ro
What is CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE?
CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE is a European project funded under the SMP-COSME-2024-CLUSTER programme, with a total budget of €2,625,000. The project aims to support innovation, digitalization, and European collaboration in the cultural heritage sector by funding projects developed by SMEs and by developing the skills needed for the green and digital transition. Project co-funded by the European Union. The views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Innovation Council and SMEs Executive Agency (EISMEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.