EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND+(ESF+) – Structured dialogue with people with lived experience of poverty – 2026

Objectives

• To create the conditions for a sustained dialogue between policymakers and individuals with lived experience of poverty
• To empower participants by providing them with the tools, confidence, and platforms needed to engage effectively in discussions on challenges related to combating poverty and social inclusion
• To amplify the voices of the most marginalised groups, ensuring that policies account for the diverse and overlapping challenges they face

Priorities

• Priority 1 : This call for proposals aims at selecting and financially supporting a consortium consisting of organisations with proven and relevant competence and experience, including at European and/or international level, in facilitating the engagement of people with lived experience of poverty in policy discussions on challenges related to combating poverty and social inclusion.
• Priority 2 : The consortium should consist of applicants capable of developing active participatory approach for people who have lived experience of poverty and actively contributing to their involvement in the Commission’s structured dialogue.

Among financed actions

• Dissemination of the Commission’s calls for expressions of interest
• Facilitating the participation of people with lived experience of poverty
• Setting up national and regional participation hubs
• Implementing a communication campaign to combat stigma

Eligibility

• Be a legal entity (public or private body)
• Be a non-profit organisation (private or public)
• Be established in one of the eligible countries:
  • EU Member States
  • Non-EU countries: listed EEA countries and countries associated to the ESF+
• Each applying consortium member must be an EU-level network of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) or an international non-governmental organisation (INGO) with headquarters in an EU Member State.
• At least 2 applying consortium members must demonstrate experience in facilitating direct participation of people with lived experience of/experiencing poverty in EU policymaking and must have national member organisations or branches in at least 7 EU Member States.
• A consortium composed of at least 2 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities) must be constituted, ensuring geographical coverage in all 27 EU Member States
• Beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register before submitting the proposal.

Additional information

• Initial duration of the action: between 30 and 36 months.

Extensions are possible, if duly justified and through an amendment.

• Contact: EMPL-ANTI-POVERTY@ec.europa.eu

Useful

• Guidelines: Click here
• Other call documents: Click here
• DG website: Click here
• More information: Click here

• Total budget of the call: 900,000 euros
• Amount of the grant: up to 900,000 euros
• Funding rate: 95% of the total eligible costs

The grant awarded may be lower than the amount requested.