As a partner in the Horizon Europe-funded SMART ERA project, the Baltic Institute of Finland is pleased to announce the launch of the project’s second Open Call, offering rural communities across Europe the opportunity to receive funding and expert support to drive community-led innovation and sustainable development.
The call, open from 12 June to 15 September 2026, will support up to four Follower Micro-Pilots with funding of up to €90,000 per project. The selected pilots will implement and adapt SMART ERA’s methodologies and tools to address local challenges through co-creation, social innovation, and digital solutions.
Supporting rural communities through innovation
Rural areas face a range of challenges, including demographic change, limited access to services, and economic transformation. Through SMART ERA, local communities are empowered to identify their own priorities and co-design Smart Innovation Packages (SIPs) that respond to real local needs.
The new Follower Micro-Pilots will build on the experiences of SMART ERA’s six pilot regions and demonstrate how community-led approaches can strengthen resilience, sustainability, and innovation capacity in rural territories across Europe. Successful applicants will also benefit from a tailored 12-month mentoring and support programme.
Strengthening cooperation across Europe’s macro-regions
A key objective of the second Open Call is to expand SMART ERA’s impact beyond the existing pilot regions and strengthen collaboration between Europe’s macro-regions. The project aims to select one Follower Micro-Pilot from each participating macro-regional area, including the Baltic Sea Region, the Danube Region, the Adriatic-Ionian Region, and the Alpine Region.
By bringing together rural communities from different parts of Europe, SMART ERA will facilitate the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and innovative practices while contributing to the objectives of the EU Macro-Regional Strategies. The selected pilots will help advance rural resilience, social innovation, territorial cohesion, and the green and digital transitions through locally driven actions.
Opportunity for Baltic Sea Region communities
For organisations and communities in the Baltic Sea Region, the Open Call provides an opportunity to join a European network of innovators working to shape the future of rural areas. The selected pilot will collaborate with counterparts from other macro-regions, contributing to the development of transferable solutions that can create long-term benefits for rural communities across Europe.
Key information
- Funding available: up to €90,000 per project
- Duration of support programme: 12 months
- Application deadline: 15 September 2026 (13:00 CEST)
- Applicants: individual organisations or consortia consisting of a Community Activator and a Pilot Orchestrator
More information, eligibility criteria and application materials are available on the SMART ERA website here.
