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 €60 000 for SME projects on innovations in clean energy supply chains

3 hours ago
2 min read

For SMEs developing innovations in solar and wind technologies and supply chain diversification | Budget – €800,000 (up to €60,000 per SME) | Deadline – 28 April 2026

The first RENEW-BOOSTER call is now open, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) developing innovations for sustainable and diversified clean energy supply chains.

Projects that deliver tangible results in a short timeframe are invited in the areas of photovoltaic systems, offshore wind energy, and related energy networks.

The call is structured in two tracks:

A: Projects addressing specific challenges related to product innovation and supply chain diversification.

B: Projects related to product innovation and supply chain diversification defined by the beneficiaries themselves (open).

RENEW-BOOSTER aims to reduce dependence on critical raw materials, contribute to the EU’s climate goals, strengthen industrial capacity in renewable energy, and accelerate the dual green and digital transition of SMEs in Europe. The consortium includes six partners from Denmark, Norway, Spain, France, Bulgaria, and Poland. The Bulgarian partner is ICT Cluster Burgas. Learn more here.

Funding

The procedure is funded by the European “Digital Europe” Programme 2021–2027, with a budget of €800,000.

Support is provided as a grant, with a maximum of €60,000 per SME.

Track A:

Stage 1 (feasibility/proof of concept): 3 SMEs selected, up to €10,000 each (min. 20% co-financing).
Stage 2 (demonstration/scaling): 1 SME from Stage 1 receives up to €50,000 (min. 40% co-financing).

Track B:

12–72 SMEs will be selected, with grants increasing with project maturity:
- Prototype: €10,000 (70% co-financing)
- Demonstration: €30,000 (60% co-financing)
- Deployment: €60,000 (50% co-financing)

The three Track B funding levels can be combined sequentially (prototype → demonstration → deployment), targeting proof of concept or deployment phases, with total mobilized budgets of €33,000–120,000 (including co-financing).

Eligible Beneficiaries

SMEs registered in EU Member States or associated Digital Europe countries. Applications may be submitted individually or as a consortium.

Eligible Activities

Projects for innovation in the above areas (or cross-sectoral) are welcome, such as:

New or improved products replacing critical materials
New suppliers and diversified supply chains, validated through pilot tests
Process innovations improving efficiency, quality, and sustainability
Digital solutions for monitoring, optimization, traceability, and supply chain efficiency
Technologies reducing environmental impact in production and sourcing

Track A

Step 1: Rapid development and validation of the proposed approach (feasibility/proof of concept). Demonstration of the product (TRL 6–7) over ~3 weeks.
Step 2: Further development and deployment to achieve demonstration readiness. Development period up to 12 weeks; target result: product innovation and scaling (TRL 8–9).

Track B

Development of an innovation for up to 6 months.

Management and Evaluation

The procedure is managed by RENEW-BOOSTER partners. Each application is evaluated by two independent experts based on:

Excellence: innovativeness, feasibility, clarity
Impact: contribution to call objectives, dual transition, market potential, measurable results
Implementation: work plan, schedule, team, budget, risk management

Evaluation results are expected by the end of June.