HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-05: Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality

This Horizon Europe topic, officially titled “Research and Innovation Network for a Union of Equality,” funds a single, long-running network that connects academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations around inclusive and equal democratic societies. Unlike the research topics in the same destination, this is a Coordination and Support Action: the deliverables are a network, a platform, a repository, and an annual forum, rather than new primary research.

Call at a Glance

Expected Outcomes

Projects should contribute to all of the following:

• Policymakers are equipped with the knowledge and tools to integrate inclusive and intersectional perspectives into policymaking, strengthening their capacity to promote and protect democracy, fundamental rights, and EU values.
• Researchers gain insight into how to translate findings on intersectional inequalities and democracy into actionable, evidence-based recommendations that inform policy and practice at local, regional, national, and EU levels.
• Innovative solutions developed under Horizon Europe and other EU funding programmes empower all citizens equally to participate in democratic processes and decision-making.

Scope: What the Network Should Do

The network should bring together academic institutions, public bodies, and civil society organisations to advance inclusive, equal, and resilient democratic societies, and address how equality and intersectionality are defined across the EU’s diverse socio-political landscapes.

Concrete expectations from the call text:

• Support gender-inclusive and intersectional strategies to counter disinformation, reduce societal polarisation, and re-engage citizens in democratic practices, including by promoting critical thinking, media literacy, and active civic participation among youth and underrepresented groups.
• Establish a dedicated online platform as early as possible in the network’s lifecycle, sharing evidence-based recommendations and innovative solutions drawn from Horizon Europe project results and other sources.
• Back that platform with a comprehensive repository gathering existing tools, trainings, data (including disaggregated data), and methodologies for gender mainstreaming and addressing intersectional inequalities. A collaborative webpage for events, calls for papers, and funding opportunities may be included.
• Translate research findings into actionable proposals, potentially using living labs and innovation hubs as collaborative environments where stakeholders co-create and test solutions.
• Host an annual thematic forum for stakeholders and policymakers to meet in person, share ideas, and learn from one another.
• Use foresight to anticipate emerging challenges to democracy, informed by close contact with elected representatives at all levels.
• Explore how to ensure a safe and enabling research environment, protecting researchers from backlash, hate speech, and harassment, and promoting academic freedom and integrity in research on democracy, inclusive societies, and intersectionality.

The network is expected to build on prior EU-funded work, including projects under HORIZON-CL2-2021-DEMOCRACY-01-03, HORIZON-CL2-2022-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-05, HORIZON-CL2-2022-TRANSFORMATIONS-01-08, and HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-05.

Policy Context: The Union of Equality

The topic sits under the Commission’s Union of Equality strategies adopted in 2020 and 2021: the LGBTIQ equality strategy 2020–2025, the gender equality strategy 2020–2025, the strategy for the rights of persons with disabilities 2021–2030, the EU anti-racism action plan 2020–2025, and the EU Roma strategic framework 2020–2030. Under the 2024–2029 political cycle, the Commission has committed to renewing the gender equality, LGBTIQ, and anti-racism strategies.

Eligibility and Consortium Requirements

Standard Horizon Europe eligibility applies (General Annex B): at least one independent legal entity established in an EU Member State, plus at least two further independent entities from different Member States or Associated Countries. Costs take the form of a lump sum.

Where to Apply

Proposals are submitted through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Check the official topic page and the Cluster 2 work programme for authoritative conditions.

Related Calls in This Destination

Also closing 23 September 2026 under Innovative Research on Democracy and Governance:

• HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-10 — Digital and media literacy for democratic and civic resilience
• HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-08 — Electoral integrity in the digital context
• HORIZON-CL2-2026-01-DEMOCRACY-02 — Local democracy in low-income countries
• See all HORIZON-CL2-2026-01 calls

Building a Proposal for This Topic?

We partner in Horizon Europe consortia on the software, data, and adoption layer. A four-year CSA built around a platform and repository needs that infrastructure to still work after year four — open source consulting, software, AI and tech development, and product research. Related threads: disinformation and inoculation and science communication.

Read more about how we work in Horizon consortia, or browse our wider projects and research.