Open Call: Governing Global Commons Sustainably Initiative

The European Commission is inviting grant applications to support multidisciplinary research and solutions for the sustainable governance of global commons in a rapidly changing geopolitical environment.

The initiative focuses on strengthening governance systems related to climate, biodiversity, oceans, Antarctica, and outer space while promoting international cooperation, environmental justice, and rules-based multilateralism.

Focus Areas

The call supports research related to:

• Climate governance
• Biodiversity governance
• Governance beyond national jurisdiction
• Environmental governance
• Science-policy interfaces
• Citizen engagement
• International cooperation
• Rules-based multilateralism
• Human rights and environmental justice
• Gender equality
• Intergenerational justice
• Indigenous knowledge systems
• Accountability and redress mechanisms

The programme also explores:

• Geopolitical tensions and global cooperation
• Foreign and security policy impacts
• Participation of civil society in governance systems

Funding Support

Total budget available:

• €12 million

Funding per project:

• Between €3.5 million and €4 million

The programme supports large-scale multidisciplinary research initiatives.

Why This Initiative Matters

The call responds to growing global challenges such as:

• Climate change
• Biodiversity loss
• Pollution
• Geopolitical instability
• Expanding commercial activity in shared global spaces

The initiative aims to:

• Strengthen collective governance mechanisms
• Prevent environmental degradation
• Improve international cooperation
• Support sustainable and equitable governance systems
• Enhance resilience against systemic global risks

Research Priorities

Projects may focus on:

• United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change governance systems
• Paris Agreement implementation and cooperation
• Convention on Biological Diversity frameworks
• Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
• Governance of oceans and marine commons
• Antarctica governance systems
• Outer space governance

Research is expected to:

• Integrate natural sciences, engineering, social sciences, and humanities
• Involve policymakers, diplomats, academia, and civil society
• Promote international collaboration
• Develop evidence-based governance tools and recommendations

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• Universities and research institutions
• International organisations
• Civil society organisations
• Public and private legal entities
• Entities from non-associated third countries

Applicants must be:

• Established under national, EU, or international law

Expected Outcomes

The programme aims to achieve:

• Better understanding of global commons governance challenges
• Stronger science-policy collaboration
• Improved international cooperation mechanisms
• Increased citizen and stakeholder engagement
• Better governance tools for environmental and geopolitical challenges
• Enhanced integration of justice and inclusion principles in governance systems

How to Apply

Applicants should:

1. Develop a multidisciplinary research proposal
2. Include international and cross-sector collaboration
3. Demonstrate relevance to global governance challenges
4. Integrate policy and stakeholder engagement components
5. Submit the application according to programme guidelines

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Narrow disciplinary approaches
• Weak international collaboration
• Limited policy relevance
• Ignoring justice and inclusion dimensions
• Insufficient stakeholder engagement strategies

FAQ

• What is the total funding available?
  • The call has a total budget of €12 million.
• How much can each project receive?
  • Individual projects may receive between €3.5 million and €4 million.
• What areas are covered under global commons governance?
  • Climate governance, biodiversity governance, oceans, Antarctica, and outer space governance.
• Who can apply?
  • Any legal entity established under national, EU, or international law, including international organisations and entities from non-associated third countries.
• Does the programme encourage multidisciplinary research?
  • Yes, multidisciplinary and internationally collaborative research approaches are strongly encouraged.

Conclusion

The European Commission initiative supports multidisciplinary research aimed at strengthening sustainable governance of global commons in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. Through international collaboration, evidence-based policymaking, and inclusive governance approaches, the programme seeks to improve global cooperation and protect shared environmental systems for future generations.