RFPs: Digital and Media Literacy as Drivers for Democratic and Civic Resilience

Deadline: 23-Sep-2026

The European Commission is funding research and innovation actions aimed at improving democratic resilience in the digital age. The program focuses on strengthening media literacy and digital literacy so that citizens can better identify misinformation, critically evaluate content, and actively participate in democratic processes.

The initiative responds to growing concerns about:

• Online disinformation and misinformation campaigns
• Weak information literacy among citizens
• Increased polarization in digital spaces
• Vulnerability of specific social groups during crises

Core Objectives of the Call

Projects funded under this call are expected to:

• Strengthen media and digital literacy skills across populations
• Improve citizens’ ability to critically assess information sources
• Develop tools and methods to counter disinformation
• Promote civic engagement and democratic participation
• Support resilience against information manipulation

Target Groups and Inclusion Focus

The call places strong emphasis on inclusion and protection of vulnerable groups.

Priority groups include:

• Children and young people
• Older persons
• Persons with disabilities
• Ethnic and religious minorities
• LGBTIQ individuals
• People experiencing poverty or social exclusion

These groups are often more exposed to:

• Misinformation during crises
• Digital exclusion
• Limited access to reliable information

Multi-Actor Approach Requirement

Projects must adopt a collaborative, multi-stakeholder model involving:

• Public authorities and policymakers
• Schools and universities
• Training and education institutions
• Youth organisations and initiatives
• Civil society organisations
• Private sector and businesses
• Local communities and citizens

This approach ensures that solutions are practical, scalable, and socially inclusive.

Funding Details

• Program type: Horizon Research and Innovation Actions (RIA)
• Framework: Horizon Europe
• Total budget: 12,000,000 euros
• Eligible proposals: Research and innovation projects

Eligibility Criteria

The call is broadly open to global participation.

Eligible participants include:

• Any legal entity, regardless of country of establishment
• Entities from non-associated third countries
• International organizations

Additional eligible structures:

• Affiliated entities
• Associated partners
• Entities without legal personality (under conditions)
• EU bodies and agencies
• Joint Research Centre (JRC)
• Associations and interest groupings

Administrative requirement:

• All beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register
• A Participant Identification Code (PIC) is required before grant agreement signature

Expected Project Outcomes

Projects are expected to deliver:

• Improved media literacy education tools and frameworks
• Digital tools to detect or counter disinformation
• Policy recommendations for governments and institutions
• Training programs for citizens and educators
• Community-based resilience strategies

Implementation Approach

Projects should:

• Use interdisciplinary research methods
• Combine education, technology, and social sciences
• Engage citizens directly in co-creation
• Develop scalable and transferable solutions
• Ensure inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups

How to Apply or How It Works

Step 1: Understand the call requirements

• Review Horizon Europe RIA framework conditions
• Align proposal with democratic resilience and media literacy objectives

Step 2: Build a consortium

• Include diverse stakeholders such as
  • Education institutions
  • NGOs and civil society groups
  • Technology and research partners
  • Public authorities

Step 3: Design project activities

• Media literacy training programs
• Digital tools for misinformation detection
• Community engagement initiatives
• Research on information behavior

Step 4: Define expected impact

• Strengthened democratic participation
• Reduced impact of disinformation
• Improved public awareness and critical thinking

Step 5: Submit proposal

• Submit through Horizon Europe portal
• Ensure compliance with RIA requirements
• Follow eligibility and PIC registration rules

Key Considerations for Applicants

• Strong inclusion of vulnerable populations is essential
• Multi-actor collaboration is mandatory
• Projects should have clear real-world application
• Focus must go beyond theory to practical impact

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Designing purely academic or theoretical projects
• Excluding community or citizen participation
• Weak focus on vulnerable groups
• Lack of interdisciplinary integration
• Limited policy relevance or scalability

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the main goal of this funding call
  • To strengthen democratic resilience by improving
    • Media literacy
    • Digital literacy
    • Ability to identify and counter disinformation
• What is the total funding available
  • The total budget is 12 million euros
• Who can apply
  • Any legal entity globally
  • Including
    • Universities and research institutions
    • NGOs and civil society organisations
    • Private companies
    • Public authorities
    • International organizations
• Is international participation allowed
  • Yes
  • Even non-associated third countries can participate under Horizon Europe conditions
• What is the key approach required
  • A multi-actor approach involving
    • Public institutions
    • Education systems
    • Civil society
    • Private sector
    • Citizens and communities
• Which groups should be included
  • Vulnerable and underrepresented groups such as
    • Children
    • Elderly populations
    • Persons with disabilities
    • Ethnic and religious minorities
    • LGBTIQ individuals
    • Economically disadvantaged groups
• What is required before signing the grant agreement
  • Registration in the Participant Register
  • Obtaining a Participant Identification Code (PIC)

Conclusion

This Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Action represents a major opportunity to strengthen democratic resilience in the digital era. By supporting media literacy, digital education, and inclusive citizen engagement, the program aims to reduce the impact of disinformation and build more informed, resilient, and participatory societies across Europe and beyond.

For more information, visit European Commission.