We are excited to announce the official launch of the Develop Open Call, the third in a series of funding opportunities under the PoliRuralPlus project. This open call is aimed at supporting applied digital innovation projects that address key rural-urban challenges in one or more of the project’s nine pilot regions across Europe.

With funding ranging from €30,000 to €100,000 per project, the Develop Call invites legal entities, including SMEs, NGOs, universities, and public institutions, from EU Member States and Horizon Europe-associated countries to propose scalable, tech-driven solutions that promote sustainability, inclusion, and territorial cohesion.

What is the Develop Call?

The Develop Call supports the development and deployment of digital applications that are:

  • Tailored to local needs and pilot-specific objectives
  • Interoperable with PoliRuralPlus tools such as the Jackdaw GeoAI Chatbot, Map Whiteboard, and Hub4Everybody
  • Focused on real-world implementation, not just concept development
  • Aligned with New European Bauhaus (NEB) values: sustainability, inclusion, and aesthetics

This is your chance to move from idea to action by bringing real digital transformation to Europe's rural-urban landscapes.

Key Details

Opening Date 26 May 2025
Deadline 31 July 2025 at 17:00 CEST
Funding Available €30,000 – €100,000 per project
Who Can Apply Legal entities from EU or HE-associated countries
Implementation Period October 2025 – June 2026

Apply only via https://www.poliruralplus.eu/open-calls/develop-call

Who Should Apply?

We encourage applications from:

  • Technology SMEs and startups
  • NGOs and community-based organisations
  • Universities and research centres
  • Public authorities and development agencies
  • Cross-sector consortia (up to 3 entities)

Projects must address the needs of at least one of the 9 PoliRuralPlus pilot regions, covering areas such as circular economy, precision farming, agritourism, cultural heritage, rural event ecosystems, digital monitoring, and more.

Evaluation & Selection

Proposals will be evaluated on:

  • Objectives: Relevance and innovation in addressing pilot-specific challenges
  • Impact: Benefits for rural-urban communities, stakeholder engagement, scalability, NEB values
  • Implementation: Quality of the work plan, team expertise, and budget justification

To be eligible, proposals must meet the minimum score threshold.

Apply Now

The submission process is fully online and straightforward. Visit our application page to:

Submit your proposal by 31 July 2025 at 17:00 CEST:
https://www.poliruralplus.eu/open-calls/develop-call/

Questions?

For any inquiries or support during the application process, please contact:
opencalls@poliruralplus.eu

Develop Open Call FSTP