The European Commission (EC) has launched a call for proposals for EU action grants in the field of fair green and digital transitions under the Employment and Social Innovation (EaSI) strand of the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+).

The general objective of this call for proposals is to develop and test integrated and inclusive social innovation approaches – in schools or training centres, at work or in local communities, or other relevant environments – to foster the inclusiveness and (perceived) fairness of the twin green and digital transition.

Aims

The call aims to develop and test integrated and inclusive social innovation approaches – in schools or training centres, at work or in local communities, or other relevant environments – to foster just green and digital transitions, by:

• identifying and addressing (re-/up-)skilling and (re-)training needs stemming from new, green or digital products, services or technologies;
• fostering social acceptance and/or behavioural changes for more sustainable business models, consumption patterns and/or modes of transport;
• developing sustainability pathways and transformation tools for social economy actors;
• tailor solutions to the particular contexts starting from general models, such as the City Doughnut or macro level climate adaptation solutions, to other, business or local environments;
• promoting the implementation of the EPSR principle 20. Essential services, including energy, mobility and digital communications, in the context of the green and digital transitions.

Funding Information

The available call budget is EUR 10 000 000.

Results

The foreseen results include:

• Greater uptake of new green and digital technologies
• New trainings to endow European citizens to make the most out the green and digital transitions
• Increase social acceptance and ownership for fairer and more sustainable business models
• Develop transformation tools for social economy actors
• Engage with local, regional, national authorities, as well as social partners and civil society at large to maximise the impact

Eligibility Criteria

In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:

• be legal entities (public or private bodies)
• be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
  • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
  • non-EU countries
• be non-profit organisations (private or public), public authorities (national, regional, local), international organisations, universities, educational institutions, research centres or companies.
• be social partner organisations at European, national or regional level. Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register — before submitting the proposal — and will have to be validated by the Central Validation Service (REA Validation).

For more information, visit https://ec.europa.eu/

Deadline: 2-Aug-2022