Exploring and improving access to housing in rural areas and developing the houses and villages of the future

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen rural communities by improving access to affordable and quality housing, fostering social fairness, and empowering transformative change. It focuses on developing sustainable, climate-resilient homes and villages, while helping policymakers better understand rural real estate and rental markets. The initiative addresses pressing issues such as housing poverty, demographic shifts, and environmental impacts. Innovative solutions like energy-efficient renovations, circular use of materials, and participatory design processes are encouraged. The geographic scope includes rural, coastal, and urban communities within the European Union, with the possibility for international cooperation.

• Projects must follow specific page limits and layout requirements.
• They must use a multi-actor approach, involving relevant stakeholders in the development of future houses and villages.
• Social sciences and humanities, including gender studies, should be effectively integrated.
• Collaboration with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is encouraged.
• Projects should consider using services from European research infrastructures.
• Applicants must demonstrate both financial and operational capacity.

Examples:

• A project that brings together architects, local authorities, and residents to design energy-efficient rural homes using recycled materials.
• An initiative that studies rural housing markets and proposes solutions for affordable rental options in shrinking villages.
• A collaboration between universities and social enterprises to renovate abandoned rural buildings into community housing, integrating gender-inclusive design.

• Personnel costs for project staff and researchers
• Costs for materials and equipment used in project activities
• Travel and accommodation expenses for project-related activities
• Costs for organizing workshops, meetings, and participatory events
• Subcontracting specific tasks or services
• Communication and dissemination expenses
• Costs related to using research infrastructures
• Expenses for monitoring and evaluation activities
• Administrative and management costs
• Indirect costs included in the lump sum

Restrictions: All expenses must fit within the lump sum funding model as defined by the Horizon Europe Programme. Only costs directly related to the project are eligible.

• Budget for this Call: 6.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1

• Projects must use a multi-actor approach, involving various relevant stakeholders.
• Applicants must be based in eligible countries; some non-EU/non-Associated Countries may also participate if they have specific funding provisions.
• Proposals should include contributions from social sciences and humanities, including gender studies.
• Collaboration with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility is encouraged but not mandatory.
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Projects should consider the use of European research infrastructures where relevant.
• Only costs in line with the lump sum model are eligible.