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Technologies from Wallonia
for Image, Sound and Text
CR.EU.IN HERITAGE, co-funded by the EU, of which TWIST is a partner, will support innovative projects in the cultural heritage sector by redistributing nearly €2 million to SMEs across the EU.
About the project
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The CR.EU.IN. HERITAGE Eurocluster project was designed to stimulate innovation within the European cultural heritage value chain.
The project brings together 10 partners from 9 European countries coordinated by the Venetian Cluster and 9 other partners, including TWIST, which bring together players from across the value chain.
This project has received funding from the European Union as part of the Joint Cluster Initiatives (EUROCLUSTERS) for Europe's Recovery initiative.
Goal
The project aims to encourage cooperation between actors from different sectors (heritage, tourism, technology, etc.) to strengthen Europe's capacity to innovate and develop a more independent and sustainable approach to cultural heritage.
Financial support and eligibility requirements:
These criteria apply to both Stage 1 and Stage 2. Applicants must meet all legal, financial and compliance requirements to be considered eligible.
SME status: Applicants must qualify as SMEs in accordance with the European definition of SMEs (Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC). This covers staff numbers, turnover and balance sheet total.
Geographical eligibility: Organisations must be legally established in a country participating in the Single Market Programme (SMP), including EU Member States and associated countries.
Financial capacity: Applicants must demonstrate their financial viability to manage and maintain project activities, verified by means of an indicator-based assessment.
Exclusion criteria: Applicants must not be in a situation of exclusion (e.g. bankruptcy, fraud or corruption) as defined in Article 136 of the EU Financial Regulation.
Compliance with EU rules: Projects must comply with standard EU obligations, including data protection, the DNSH (Do No Significant Harm) principle, the European AI Regulation (where applicable) and the visibility requirements for European funding.
The call offers financial support through two distinct strands:
Part 1 – Product innovation:
Intended for the development of new products or services for the company (grant amount: €120,000 in the form of a fixed lump sum for consortia composed of at least two SMEs).
Part 2 – Process innovation:
Intended for innovation in business processes related to green and digital transitions (grant amount: €77,000 in the form of a fixed lump sum for consortia composed of at least two SMEs).
The maximum amount granted to each SME is €60,000.
The submission process follows a two-step approach:
1) Step 1 (submission of a concept note):
Applicants (individual SMEs or existing groups) submit a concise project concept and select the component for which they wish to apply (Component 1: Product Innovation; Component 2: Process Innovation).
No budget estimate is required at this stage.
Application form – Stage 1 -> https://www.f6s.com/cultural-heritage-grants-step-1/apply
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 20 April 2026
Please note that selection in Stage 1 of the call does not imply funding. Only SMEs selected in Stage 2 of the call (opening in June 2026, after completion of Stage 1) will receive funding.
Mandatory skills enhancement and matchmaking module:
Applicants must participate in the ‘Skills Enhancement and Matchmaking Programme’ (May–June 2026). Full participation in this programme is a mandatory prerequisite for eligibility for Stage 2.
Selection:
The results of the Stage 1 evaluation will be published and all applicants will be duly informed. Selected projects will be eligible to apply for Stage 2.
2) Stage 2 (Full collaborative project): Detailed information on Stage 2 is available in the explanatory document.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 31 August 2026
Further information
Further information on the call, including details on Stage 2, can be found in the call document and its annexes.
Description of the mission
Candidates are invited to submit proposals for collaborative innovation projects specifically focused on the cultural heritage value chain. Projects must contribute to European strategic autonomy and the twin transition (green and digital).
Proposals must align with one of the following strands:
- Strand 1: Development of new products or services for the enterprise.
- Strand 2: Adoption of new business processes for the enterprise.
For more information, please consult the call for proposals document.
Eligibility criteria:
- Consortium: The proposal for Stage 2 must be submitted by a consortium composed of at least two SMEs from countries eligible for the SMP.
- Technology: Projects must demonstrate the application of EU-based digital solutions/technologies and/or the involvement of innovation leaders.
- Duration: The project implementation period is set at 12 months. If SMEs are selected in Stage 1, they will be required to carry out a set of mandatory activities (between May and June 2026) in order to be considered eligible for Stage 2.
- Co-funding: Projects require a minimum co-funding contribution of 15% from applicants, calculated on the total project budget (e.g. a grant of €77,000 or €120,000 plus the mandatory 15% contribution). This contribution is mandatory for all SMEs participating in the project. Although 15% is the minimum requirement, providing a higher percentage of co-funding will earn additional points during the evaluation.
Link for further information via the ECCP page
