Who can apply for funding under national calls and European Union programs?

Funding opportunities are open to a wide range of applicants - private enterprises, municipalities, non-governmental organizations, scientific and educational institutions, as well as partnerships between them. Each fund, each call or procedure has specific conditions and requirements, so it is important to analyze the eligibility and potential of the applicant in advance.

What does "eligibility of costs" mean and why is it important?

The eligibility of costs is one of the most strictly controlled aspects of any project. Only costs that are directly linked to the activities carried out within the eligible period and supported by correct documentation can be recognized. NORTAN experts perform detailed verification and ensure compliance with the requirements of the governing authorities, which reduces the risk of financial corrections.

What are the main stages in managing an EU-funded project?

The project cycle goes through several key phases: 1. Analysis of client needs and identification of suitable financing opportunities; 2. Development of a project idea and preparation of a proposal; 3. Assessment and approval by the Managing Authority; 4. Implementation, monitoring and control of activities; 5. Final reporting and sustainability of results. NORTAN Ltd offers comprehensive support at every stage - from concept to successful completion of the project.

What are the most common reasons for project proposals being rejected?

Among the most common errors are incomplete or incorrect documentation, a mismatch between the project objectives, the scope and priorities of the program, as well as incorrect budget structuring, which includes expenses for remuneration, the purchase of equipment and other external services. Our team conducts a thorough analysis before submitting the project proposal to ensure full compliance and increase the likelihood of approval.

How does the project reporting and control process work?

Reporting includes the presentation of detailed technical and financial reports that demonstrate the implementation of activities and the achievement of results. NORTAN provides methodological and expert support throughout the entire process, from documentation preparation to communication with governing bodies, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and legality at the completion of each project. NORTAN Ltd. experts, with proven experience in writing technical and financial reports, provide full support in their preparation and reporting to the competent institutions.

What is cascade funding?

Cascading Funding is a mechanism where the European Commission provides funds to a lead beneficiary (usually a consortium), which then distributes part of these funds to third parties (SMEs, start-ups, NGOs, researchers) through open calls for applications. This type of funding is widely used in programs such as Horizon Europe and Digital Europe and is also known as Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) .

Do you work with municipalities?

Yes, we work with municipalities and municipal enterprises , providing expert support in project development and implementation, including strategic planning, application and subsequent management.

Do you work with non-governmental organizations (NGOs)?

Yes, we work with non-governmental organizations , including foundations and associations, in preparing and implementing projects in areas such as social activities, education, culture, innovation and sustainable development.

Do you work with other organizations?

Yes, in addition to SMEs, municipalities and NGOs, we also work with: • universities and scientific organizations; • public institutions and agencies; • startups and innovative companies; • consortia and partnerships on international projects.

What does co-financing mean?

Co-financing is the part of the project budget that is not covered by European funding and is provided by the beneficiary or other sources.

What are eligible costs?

These are costs that: • are directly related to the project; • were made within the eligibility period; • comply with the rules of the relevant program; • are duly documented.

Up to €118 500 for innovative collaborations between agri-food and technology SMEs.

3 hours ago
2 min read

For agri-food and technology small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) | Budget – €1.97 million (up to €118,500 per consortium) | Deadline – 30 April 2026

A call for applications under the GATE5.0 project is now open for agri-food and technology small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The initiative aims to connect complementary partners – an agri-food SME and a technology SME – that will jointly address a specific challenge in agriculture through an innovative technological solution.

Selected consortia will have the opportunity to develop, test, and validate innovative solutions, while also participating in a dedicated acceleration programme designed to support the development and market uptake of their technologies.

The call aims to support the development, pilot deployment, and scaling of green and digital solutions that contribute to sustainability, efficient resource use, and the digital transformation of the agri-food ecosystem.

The GATE5.0 project seeks to accelerate the green and digital transformation of the European agricultural sector through the adoption of Agriculture 5.0 technologies, provided by technology SMEs and designed to address challenges along the agri-food value chain. The project consortium includes partners from Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, and Lithuania.

Funding

The call is funded under the Digital Europe Programme 2021–2027 and has a total budget of €1.97 million.

Financial support will be provided in the form of a grant of up to €118,500 per consortium, with funding expected to support at least 16 projects.

In addition to the grant, selected SMEs will benefit from:

capacity-building activities
a dedicated acceleration programme supporting the development, validation, and deployment of solutions.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) established in EU Member States or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

Applications must be submitted in a consortium consisting of:

an agri-food SME, which defines and presents a specific operational challenge related to sustainability or productivity;
a technology SME, which provides digital solutions capable of addressing the identified challenge.

Relevant technologies may include:

Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Internet of Things (IoT)
robotics
drones
data analytics
decision-support systems and other digital technologies.

To help companies identify partners, applicants can register on a matchmaking platform where they can arrange bilateral meetings.

Eligible activities

The joint innovation projects must develop and validate a technological solution to a clearly defined challenge in the agri-food sector.

Projects must start from at least TRL 6 (Technology Readiness Level) and reach an advanced stage of validation and readiness for market deployment.

Technology readiness levels include: