Call for EOIs: Remembering Democratic Transitions and Rebuilding Democratic Institutions Program

The European Commission’s European Remembrance 2026 call supports projects that explore Europe’s democratic transitions, the rebuilding of democratic institutions, and the protection of democracy, the rule of law, and fundamental rights. The call encourages applicants to examine historical experiences under authoritarian and totalitarian regimes and apply lessons from the past to contemporary democratic challenges. The total budget allocated across the listed topics is €28 million. The European Remembrance 2026 call focuses on preserving historical memory and strengthening democratic values across Europe. It recognises that Europe’s experiences with authoritarianism, totalitarianism, and democratic transitions during the 20th century provide important lessons for protecting democratic institutions and fundamental rights today. The initiative addresses current challenges, including declining public trust in democratic processes and institutions. It encourages projects that connect historical experiences with present-day efforts to promote democratic participation, accountability, justice, and respect for fundamental rights. Through this call, the European Commission aims to support initiatives that deepen public understanding of Europe’s democratic history and strengthen society’s commitment to democracy and the rule of law. The call aims to support projects that examine historical democratic transitions and their relevance to contemporary European society. Key objectives include: Projects supported under the call may address several interconnected themes related to European history, democratic development, and fundamental rights. The call is intended to support projects that contribute to European remembrance, democratic understanding, and the protection of fundamental rights. Potentially relevant project organisers may include: These are examples of organisations whose activities may align with the call’s themes. Applicants should consult the official call documentation to confirm the eligible applicant categories, country requirements, partnership rules, and any additional eligibility conditions. Understanding Europe’s democratic history is important for protecting democratic institutions and fundamental rights in the present. Historical experiences of authoritarian rule demonstrate how democratic freedoms can be weakened and why public participation, accountability, and the rule of law are essential. The call matters because it encourages projects to: By connecting historical remembrance with current democratic concerns, the initiative supports a deeper understanding of the responsibilities involved in maintaining democratic societies. The total budget listed for the European Remembrance 2026 call is €28,000,000 (€28 million) across its listed topics. This figure represents the overall budget for the topics covered by the call. It should not be interpreted as the amount available to each applicant or individual project. The funding available per project, grant rate, duration, and number of projects to be supported depend on the specific topic and the conditions set out in the official call documents. Organisations interested in applying should develop a project that clearly connects historical remembrance with democratic values, fundamental rights, and the rule of law.

Step 1: Identify a relevant historical theme

Choose a subject aligned with the call, such as democratic transitions, resistance movements, authoritarian regimes, historical justice, or the suppression of fundamental rights.

Step 2: Define the project objectives

Explain what the project intends to achieve, which historical issues it will address, and how it will contribute to public understanding of democracy and fundamental rights.

Step 3: Establish the contemporary relevance

Demonstrate how the historical subject relates to present-day democratic institutions, public trust, civic participation, or the protection of fundamental rights.

Step 4: Develop the proposed activities

Outline the activities that will deliver the project objectives. Depending on the specific topic and eligibility rules, these could include educational initiatives, historical documentation, public discussions, research, remembrance activities, or awareness campaigns.

Step 5: Identify the target audience

Specify who will benefit from the project, such as students, educators, researchers, civil society groups, or members of the public.

Step 6: Review the official eligibility and funding conditions

Check the relevant topic’s application requirements, eligible countries and organisations, partnership arrangements, funding limits, project duration, and submission deadline.

Step 7: Prepare the application

Present a clear project rationale, objectives, activities, expected outcomes, implementation plan, and budget in accordance with the official application guidelines. Organisations preparing a proposal should consider the following points:

1. What is the European Remembrance 2026 call?

The European Remembrance 2026 call is a European Commission funding initiative supporting projects that explore Europe’s democratic transitions, historical remembrance, the rebuilding of democratic institutions, and the protection of fundamental rights.

2. What is the total budget for the call?

The total budget listed across the call’s topics is €28 million. The amount available for an individual project depends on the specific topic and its funding conditions.

3. What themes can projects address?

Projects may address democratic transitions from authoritarian and totalitarian regimes, including communist and fascist dictatorships; resistance and organised opposition; remembrance and education about suppressed fundamental rights; historical and restorative justice; and lessons for defending democracy today.

4. Who can apply for funding?

Potential applicants may include civil society organisations, educational institutions, research organisations, and groups involved in hist