HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-BUSINESS-02

Understanding capital market dynamics for increased investment in New European Bauhaus projects in neighbourhoods

Status
open for submission
Programme
Horizon Europe (HORIZON)
Action type
HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Opens
5 May 2026
Deadline
1 Dec 2026
Fetched
15 Jul 2026, 07:18 UTC
Plain-language summary

Research capital market dynamics to boost investment in New European Bauhaus neighbourhood transformation projects.

This call seeks research projects to understand and improve investment flows into neighbourhood transformation aligned with New European Bauhaus (NEB) values. It focuses on analysing capital market demand and supply, barriers, and drivers. Proposals should develop innovative investment solutions leveraging place-based impact investing and validate them across multiple EU or Associated countries.

Likely relevant for

  • Research institutions in finance and urban development
  • Impact investors and financial innovators
  • Public authorities involved in urban regeneration
  • Social economy and community development organisations

Project signals

Focus on investment mechanisms for neighbourhood projectsUse of place-based impact investing approachesDevelopment of innovative financial solutionsValidation in multiple EU/Associated countries

What it funds

  • Research on capital market demand and supply dynamics for NEB-aligned neighbourhood projects
  • Analysis of barriers, risks, drivers, and contextual factors influencing investments
  • Development of innovative investment solutions leveraging place-based impact investing
  • Validation of solutions in at least three different Member States or Associated Countries
  • Recommendations for securing future funding and financing
  • Support for investors to assess economic, social, cultural, aesthetic, and environmental returns

Expected outcomes

  • Better understanding of capital market dynamics affecting NEB neighbourhood investments
  • Increased investments in sustainable, inclusive neighbourhood transformations
  • Innovative investment solutions combining diverse financial approaches
  • Enhanced decision-making tools for investors and public authorities
  • Strengthened multi-actor and transdisciplinary collaboration

Who can apply / participate

  • Research organisations
  • Higher education institutions
  • Private companies
  • Public authorities
  • Non-profit organisations
  • Consortia must include multiple actors and disciplines to ensure participatory and transdisciplinary approaches
  • Projects must validate solutions in at least three different EU Member States and/or Associated Countries
  • Applicants must comply with Horizon Europe eligibility rules
  • Funding is provided as lump sum grants under Horizon Europe
  • Specific minimum or maximum consortium size
  • Exact eligible countries beyond EU Member States and Associated Countries

Must check before shortlisting

  • Eligibility of applicant types and countries per Horizon Europe rules
  • Budget and consortium requirements
  • Specific lump sum funding conditions

Money

Total budget allocated for this call is approximately €7 million for 2026, with expected grants of around €3.5 million each for two projects.

  • Total call budget for 2026 — 7000000EUR
    Funding split into two grants of €3.5 million each
  • Minimum grant per project — 3500000EUR
    Lump sum grant
  • Maximum grant per project — 3500000EUR
    Lump sum grant

Application notes

  • Single-stage submission model.
  • Proposal page limits and layout as per Horizon Europe General Annexes A and E
  • Eligibility conditions as per Horizon Europe General Annex B
  • Financial and operational capacity requirements per Annex C
  • Evaluation criteria and process per Annex D and F
  • Lump sum funding conditions as per Horizon Europe Decision of 7 July 2021
  • Prepare proposal following the specific application form for HORIZON-RIA
  • Submit proposal via the Funding & Tenders Portal before the deadline
  • Engage with the New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact (allocate at least 0.8% of budget)
  • Proposals must integrate NEB Investment Guidelines
  • Validation of solutions must occur in at least three different Member States or Associated Countries
  • Participatory and transdisciplinary approaches are mandatory

Derived from official EU Funding portal source · updated 22 Jun 2026, 16:55 UTC. Use this as a shortlisting aid; the official call text remains authoritative.

Related calls

These funding calls are closely related and may be worth considering as part of the same funding landscape.

Official source text

Fine print from the EU source record. Expand when you need the original wording.

Topic description

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Project promoters, public authorities, and investors have a better understanding of the capital market demand and supply dynamics that underlie investments in projects fostering the transformation of neighbourhoods [1] in line with the New European Bauhaus (NEB). Increased investments towards NEB-aligned projects for the sustainable [1] and inclusive [1] transformation of neighbourhoods. Scope: Increased investment in projects for the transformation of neighbourhoods in line with the New European Bauhaus (NEB) may be hindered due to a discrepancy between the demand and supply of capital in terms of size, diversity, returns, and risk. Small-scale NEB-aligned projects typically encounter large, short-term oriented, and highly risk-averse investment funds, which seek investment opportunities able to absorb large amounts of funding, driven by present legislation [4] . Place-based impact investing is an approach that can contribute to investments in NEB-aligned neighbourhood projects by providing risk-adjusted financial returns while creating local social, cultural, aesthetic [5] and environmental value and by helping to meet local needs in terms of community [1] well-being, social inclusion, local economic resilience, and sustainable development [7] . There is a need for research to understand the capital demand and supply-side aspects that influence and shape investments in NEB-aligned neighbourhood projects and to identify appropriate mechanisms to attract increased investment. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: Analyse the capital market dynamics that influence investments in NEB-aligned projects for the transformation of neighbourhoods. This includes analysing at least the following: The size, scale, and diversity as well as the barriers, risks, and drivers of capital market demand and supply for NEB-aligned projects. The context of NEB-aligned investment projects, including political, financial, economic, regulatory, and cultural dimensions. Based on the above, develop an innovative investment solution that addresses and leverages the analysed capital market dynamics towards increased investment in NEB-aligned projects. The investment solution is expected to: Leverage place-based impact investing approaches and is encouraged to combine them with other diverse and out-of-the-box investment approaches, frameworks, or funding schemes that contribute to social, environmental, aesthetic, and cultural impact in neighbourhoods. This may include the use of innovative digital financial instruments, platforms for community co-investment, or blockchain-enabled transparency mechanisms, among others. Determine the types of capital (including, but not limited to, impact funds, real estate investors, family and pension funds, philanthropists, donors, and insurance companies) that can be mobilised and validate how to mobilise them. Provide recommendations for decision-making on avenues to secure future funding and financing. Support investors to assess the investment potential and returns (including economic, social, cultural, aesthetic and environmental) of NEB-aligned neighbourhood projects. Conduct the above analysis and validate the developed solution in at least three different Member States and/or Associated Countries. Projects are expected to integrate and build upon the New European Bauhaus Investment Guidelines [8] . Proposals are expected to follow a participatory [1] and transdisciplinary [1] approach through the integration of different actors and disciplines. Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learnings, as well as to contribute to impact assessment. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [4] Examples include the EU Taxonomy, Fit for 55 package, and European Social Fund (ESF+). [5] See definition of ”beautiful” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] Impact Investing Institute, ’Section 1: What is place-based impact investing?’, Impact Investing Institute website, accessed 29 September 2025, https://www.impactinvest.org.uk/learning-hub/place-based-impact-investing/what-is-place-based-impact-investing/. [8] European Commission, ’NEB Investment Guidelines’, New European Bauhaus , accessed 5 August 2025, https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/tools-and-resources/neb-investment-guidelines_en . Sections of particular relevance for applicants to consider include: 1. Introduction; 2. Mapping the NEB; 4.4 Project risks; 5. Making the NEB case; and 6. Conclusions. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [10] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

Destination

Revitalising neighbourhoods for communities to come together is about ensuring the right conditions. Innovative funding and new business models can provide the necessary framework and incentives to rethink how solutions and projects are designed, planned, executed, and invested in for the structural and systemic transformation of neighbourhoods [1] in line with New European Bauhaus (NEB) values [1] and working principles [1] . Demonstrating the socioeconomic, environmental, financial, aesthetic [4] and cultural value creation of NEB-aligned solutions and projects can incentivise stakeholders in the built environment [1] and its related ecosystems (e.g. construction [1] , banking, insurance, social economy, and real estate) to invest and participate in the circular [1] , inclusive [1] , affordable, accessible, sustainable [1] and culturally significant revitalisation of neighbourhoods. New business and innovative funding models are thus crucial to encourage long-term and life-cycle thinking in the built environment while enhancing its long-term, sustainable competitiveness. This Destination will address three of the Commission political guidelines 2024-2029, namely: A new plan for Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness Supporting people, strengthening our societies and our social model Sustaining our quality of life: Food security, water and nature This Destination supports the NEB Facility’s overarching aim to drive the implementation of the European Green Deal on the ground. Its focus on circular economy principles, biodiversity, responsible and sufficient use of natural resources, and sustainable competitiveness contributes to the Clean Industrial Deal [10] , EU Circular Economy Action Plan [11] , new Circular Economy Act [12] , Zero Pollution Action Plan [13] , EU Biodiversity Strategy [14] , and European Climate Adaptation Plan [15] . This Destination also seeks to engage local stakeholders and the local social economy in neighbourhood transformation while addressing community [1] challenges and needs as well as better understanding and leveraging appropriate market dynamics. It thereby offers potential contributions to the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy [17] . By focusing on the reuse of the existing building stock, the provision of key social infrastructures [1] and services, and addressing homelessness [1] at neighbourhood level, it also contributes to the EU Renovation Wave [20] and potentially contributes to the European Affordable Housing Plan [21] . In work programme 2026-2027, this Destination contributes to the following overarching expected impacts set out in the Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027: 8. Realising the full potential of cultural heritage, arts, and cultural and creative sectors 9. Strengthening social and economic resilience and sustainability 15. Achieving global leadership in climate-neutral, circular and digitized industrial and digital value chains In addition, proposals for topics under this Destination should set out a credible pathway to contributing to the development of innovative funding and new business models for the transformation of neighbourhoods, and more specifically to one or several of the following impacts: Better understanding of the contextual local conditions that drive or hinder sustainable neighbourhood developments and the uptake of NEB-aligned solutions and projects, such as capital and real estate market dynamics and socioeconomic, cultural, demographic, and climatic changes. Anticipation and consideration of future needs, functions and inhabitants (including more-than-human [1] perspectives) of neighbourhoods and their developments towards the future. Demonstrated socioeconomic, financial, environmental, cultural, and aesthetic value of NEB-aligned solutions and projects driving the revitalisation of the built environment in neighbourhoods. Increased investment in the transformation of neighbourhoods in line with NEB through alternative, innovative, and community-based investment and ownership approaches [23] . Community and place-based approaches that adopt a systemic perspective and use co-creation [1] approaches with diverse local stakeholders, including marginalised or underrepresented groups or those in a vulnerable situation, and contribute to addressing pressing community challenges and needs such as homelessness and housing. ⁠Circular manufacturing, renovation, and reuse approaches in the built environment contribute to the sufficient use of resources and space. When possible and relevant, actions are strongly recommended to collaborate with and build on the results of past and ongoing research projects, including regional, national or European funded projects, to ensure consistency and continuity in research. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [4] See definition of "beautiful” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [5] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [10] European Commission, ’Clean Industrial Deal’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://commission.europa.eu/topics/eu-competitiveness/clean-industrial-deal_en [11] European Commission, ’Circular Economy Action Plan’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/circular-economy-action-plan_en [12] Under development and with expected adoption by the end of 2025. [13] European Commission, ’Zero Pollution Action Plan’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/zero-pollution-action-plan_en [14] European Commission, ’Biodiversity Strategy 2030’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://environment.ec.europa.eu/strategy/biodiversity-strategy-2030_en [15] European Commission, ’EU Adaptation Strategy’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://climate.ec.europa.eu/eu-action/adaptation-climate-change/eu-adaptation-strategy_en [16] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [17] European Commission, ’EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/strategy/strategy-research-and-innovation/jobs-and-economy/eu-startup-and-scaleup-strategy_en [18] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [19] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [20] European Commission, ’Renovation Wave’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://energy.ec.europa.eu/topics/energy-efficiency/energy-performance-buildings/renovation-wave_en [21] European Commission, ’European Affordable Housing Plan’, accessed 5 August 2025, https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/14670-European-Affordable-Housing-Plan_en [22] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [23] See the NEB Investment Guidelines for more information. European Commission, ’NEB Investment Guidelines’, New European Bauhaus , accessed 5 August 2025, https://new-european-bauhaus.europa.eu/tools-and-resources/neb-investment-guidelines_en . Sections of particular relevance for applicants to consider include: 1. Introduction; 2. Mapping the NEB; 4.4 Project risks; 5. Making the NEB case; and 6. Conclusions. [24] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27.

Conditions and documents

General conditions

1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout

described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.

Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.

2. Eligible Countries

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

3. Other Eligible Conditions

described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.

4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion

described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds

are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.

5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes

are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.

5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement

described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]].

described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions

described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]

Support information

Online Manual is your guide on the procedures from proposal submission to managing your grant. Horizon Europe Programme Guide contains the detailed guidance to the structure, budget and political priorities of Horizon Europe. Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ – find the answers to most frequently asked questions on submission of proposals, evaluation and grant management. Research Enquiry Service – ask questions about any aspect of European research in general and the EU Research Framework Programmes in particular. National Contact Points (NCPs) – get guidance, practical information and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe. There are also NCPs in many non-EU and non-associated countries (‘third-countries’). Enterprise Europe Network – contact your EEN national contact for advice to businesses with special focus on SMEs. The support includes guidance on the EU research funding. IT Helpdesk – contact the Funding & Tenders Portal IT helpdesk for questions such as forgotten passwords, access rights and roles, technical aspects of submission of proposals, etc. European IPR Helpdesk assists you on intellectual property issues. CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk – the European Standards Organisations advise you how to tackle standardisation in your project proposal. The European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment – consult the general principles and requirements specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders of researchers. Partner Search help you find a partner organisation for your proposal.

Raw budget overview
{
  "budgetYearsColumns": [
    "2026"
  ],
  "budgetTopicActionMap": {
    "113362": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-BUSINESS-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 3,
        "minContribution": 3500000,
        "maxContribution": 3500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "10500000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113363": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 3,
        "minContribution": 4000000,
        "maxContribution": 4000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "12000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113364": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 5000000,
        "maxContribution": 5000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "10000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113365": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-BUSINESS-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 4500000,
        "maxContribution": 4500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "9000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113366": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-BUSINESS-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 3500000,
        "maxContribution": 3500000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "7000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113367": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 3,
        "minContribution": 5000000,
        "maxContribution": 5000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "15000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113368": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-REGEN-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 5000000,
        "maxContribution": 5000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "10000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113369": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON  Research and Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 3,
        "minContribution": 5000000,
        "maxContribution": 5000000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "15000000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "113370": [
      {
        "action": "HORIZON-NEB-2026-01-PARTICIPATION-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions",
        "expectedGrants": 2,
        "minContribution": 6300000,
        "maxContribution": 6300000,
        "budgetYearMap": {
          "2026": "12600000"
        },
        "plannedOpeningDate": "2026-05-05",
        "deadlineModel": "single-stage",
        "deadlineDates": [
          "2026-12-01"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }
}