Filter Search for grants
Call Navigation
Call key data
Economic inequalities and their impact on democracy
Funding Program
Horizon Europe: Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive society
Call number
HORIZON-CL2-2025-01-DEMOCRACY-08
deadlines
Opening
15.05.2025
Deadline
16.09.2025 17:00
Funding rate
100%
Call budget
€ 10,500,000.00
Estimated EU contribution per project
between € 3,000,000.00 and € 3,500,000.00
Link to the call
Link to the submission
Call content
short description
Economic inequalities, encompassing wealth and income inequalities (e.g., in the form of money, financial assets, or real estate), pose a significant challenge to democratic societies. Over the past decades, while between-country inequality has generally decreased, within-country inequality has risen in numerous countries as global economic growth has not been evenly distributed.
Call objectives
The widening gap in wealth has exacerbated political polarisation and fuelled distrust in democratic institutions worldwide. These trends not only suggest correlations between these phenomena but also threaten core democratic principles such as social justice, inclusion, and equal participation and representation. For instance, extremist parties often gain traction when governments fail to protect those disadvantaged by economic changes. Research indicates that governmental shortcomings in protecting those marginalised by structural economic shifts (e.g., cuts to social security entitlements, public investment and/or tax increase) fuel the roots of populism. Understanding this cycle and the complex relationship between economic inequality and democracy is key for a functioning democratic society. Proposals are encouraged to look at the efficiency and effectiveness of public policies in addressing inequalities. For instance, examining the gap between the design and implementation phases of policies aimed at reducing economic inequalities can help better understand their impact on democracy.
Historically, economic disparities have sometimes revitalised public participation and political engagement in various forms, such as trade unions, civic involvement, and political parties. This contrasts with contemporary trends where economic inequalities often correlate with disinterest or even rejection of democracy. Hence, there is a pressing need for SSH research to delve into why, how, and to what extent economic inequalities can undermine trust in democracy and broader societal structures, and how to counteract these trends. Proposals should consider diverse territorial contexts, moving beyond urban/rural dichotomies, and explore strategies to bolster democracies in these different contexts.
Moreover, research has shown that economic inequalities, when assessed solely through economic indicators, fail to provide a comprehensive understanding of their impact on democracy. Citizens’ perceptions of economic inequalities appear to play a central role in shaping attitudes towards democratic processes and institutions. These perceptions are often exacerbated by dichotomies such as rich/poor, rural/urban, employed/unemployed, educated/uneducated, and native/immigrant. There is a lack of comparative work including citizens’ perceptions, particularly through an intersectional and intergenerational lens. Therefore, research proposals should consider perceived inequalities as an integral part of the research framework.
Key research questions revolve around the intersection and impact of income and wealth inequalities on democratic practices. This involves exploring, for instance:
- How do income and wealth inequalities across different geographic and territorial areas influence policy preferences of different social and age groups, notably political polarisation, voter turnout, and trust in democratic institutions and processes.
- How perceived economic inequalities (in contrast to economic inequalities measured by quantitative indicators) influence trust and participation in democratic processes.
- How do economic inequalities intersect with social class, racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, sex, gender, age, disability, and citizenship/nationality in different geographic areas, and what is the cumulative impact on democratic practices.
- What role do local media and community networks play in shaping perceptions of economic inequality across different regions, and how do these perceptions impact democratic engagement.
- How does geographic mobility (e.g., inter-city, rural-to-urban or vice-versa, national, international, temporary, permanent) influence the transmission of economic inequalities, and how do these processes affect participation and trust in democratic institutions.
- What strategies could address varying levels of civic engagement among people and communities from different income brackets and levels of wealth.
The funded research should also generate knowledge on intergenerational transfers, that is, inheritances and inter-vivos gifts, (perceived) inequalities, and their impact on democracy: how do these intergenerational transfers influence wealth inequality, and thus, in line with the main subject of this call, how do they impact democracy, for instance in terms of participation or trust in institutions?
When exploring economic inequalities, proposals should consider at least three additional intersecting dimensions of inequalities alongside economic ones, such as sex, gender, disability, social class, religion or belief, age, and racial or ethnic origins. For example, recent research across all EU Member States reveals that young men residing in regions marked by rising unemployment and perceived inequities in public institutions are inclined to view democratic principles like gender equality as challenges to their interests. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing how economic inequalities intersect with democratic values and social attitudes.
Proposals are encouraged to involve diverse disciplinary perspectives, including but not limited to economics, political economy, political science, public administration, history, (political) sociology, (social) psychology, gender studies, and public policy. Approaches that combine social science theories with data science techniques or incorporate novel mixed methodologies are encouraged.
Proposals should involve a diverse array of stakeholders across diverse demographic groups - encompassing different age groups, genders, minority communities, persons with disabilities, and socio-economically disadvantaged populations, including representatives from trade unions, civil society organisations, social welfare bodies, and (local) government representatives.
Applicants to this topic are encouraged to make use of the data provided by European Research Infrastructures in the social sciences and humanities domain, particularly CESSDA, the European Social Survey or SHARE. Where applicable, proposals should leverage the data and services available through European Research Infrastructures federated under the European Open Science Cloud, as well as data from relevant Data Spaces. Particular efforts should be made to ensure that the data produced in the context of this topic is FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Re-usable).
Cooperation should be sought with the Community of democracy practitioners and researchers funded under HORIZON-CL2-2024-DEMOCRACY-01-12. Moreover, proposals should build on the results of other EU projects, including the one funded under H2020-SC6-REV-INEQUAL-05-2016 - Inequalities in the EU and their consequences for democracy, social cohesion, and inclusion.
It is encouraged that proposals also exploit potential complementarities with projects funded under the following H2020 topics: REV-INEQUAL-07-2016: Spatial justice, social cohesion, and territorial inequalities; GOVERNANCE-04-2019 – Enhancing social rights and EU citizenship, and, under the following Horizon Europe topics: TRANSFORMATIONS-03-2018-2019: Innovative solutions for inclusive and sustainable urban environments; and TRANSFORMATIONS-22-2020: Enhancing access and uptake of education to reverse inequalities, as well as with Horizon Europe projects funded under HORIZON-CL2-2022-DEMOCRACY-01-03: The impact of inequalities on democracy and HORIZON-CL2-2023-DEMOCRACY-01-07: Intersectionality and equality in deliberative and participatory democratic spaces.
read more
Expected results
Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Enhanced understanding of the interplay between economic inequalities and attitudes towards democracies, achieved by adopting an intersectional perspective across local, national, and transnational levels and acknowledging varying territorial contexts.
- Deeper insights into economic inequalities, including citizens’ own perceptions of such inequalities, across diverse demographic groups, and their impact on public participation, the shaping of attitudes for instance towards women’s and minorities’ rights, as well as trust in democratic processes.
- Enhanced policymakers’ awareness through evidence-based policy recommendations on the relationship between economic inequalities and attitudes towards democracy, bridging research and policy by presenting data and potential solutions to foster informed discussion and adoption of targeted measures.
- Existing data are used effectively, and new data avenues are explored to better understand and address the impacts of economic inequalities across diverse demographic groups, as well as citizen’s own perceptions of these inequalities, on democratic participation and trust in democratic institutions.
- Novel and intersectional approaches to enhance understanding of and participation in democratic processes among economically vulnerable populations, including low- or no-income individuals, and those (at risk of) experiencing downward mobility from the middle class, integrating factors associated with social mobility and individual characteristics such as age, sex, gender, racial or ethnic origin, religion, or belief, and disability.
read more
Eligibility Criteria
Regions / countries for funding
Moldova (Moldova), Albania (Shqipëria), Armenia (Հայաստան), Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina / Босна и Херцеговина), Canada, Faeroes (Føroyar / Færøerne), Georgia (საქართველო), Iceland (Ísland), Israel (ישראל / إِسْرَائِيل), Kosovo (Kosova/Kosovë / Косово), Montenegro (Црна Гора), New Zealand (Aotearoa), North Macedonia (Северна Македонија), Norway (Norge), Serbia (Srbija/Сpбија), Tunisia (تونس /Tūnis), Türkiye, Ukraine (Україна), United Kingdom
eligible entities
EU Body, Education and training institution, Natural Person, Non-Profit Organisation (NPO) / Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Other, Private institution, incl. private company (private for profit), Public Body (national, regional and local; incl. EGTCs), Research Institution incl. University, Small and medium-sized enterprise (SME)
Mandatory partnership
Yes
Project Partnership
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the following countries:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States
- countries associated to Horizon Europe - see list of particpating countries
Only legal entities forming a consortium are eligible to participate in actions provided that the consortium includes, as beneficiaries, three legal entities independent from each other and each established in a different country as follows:
- at least one independent legal entity established in a Member State; and
- at least two other independent legal entities, each established in different Member States or Associated Countries.
Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including legal entities from non-associated third countries or international organisations (including international European research organisations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not), provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation have been met, along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call topic.
A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law, EU law or international law, which has legal personality and which may, acting in its own name, exercise rights and be subject to obligations, or an entity without legal personality.
other eligibility criteria
Specific cases:
- Affiliated entities (i.e. entities with a legal or capital link to a beneficiary which participate in the action with similar rights and obligations to the beneficiaries, but which do not sign the grant agreement and therefore do not become beneficiaries themselves) are allowed, if they are eligible for participation and funding.
- Associated partners (i.e. entities which participate in the action without signing the grant agreement, and without the right to charge costs or claim contributions) are allowed, subject to any conditions regarding associated partners set out in the specific call conditions.
- Entities which do not have legal personality under their national law may exceptionally participate, provided that their representatives have the capacity to undertake legal obligations on their behalf, and offer guarantees to protect the EU’s financial interests equivalent to those offered by legal persons.
- Legal entities created under EU law (EU bodies) including decentralised agencies may be part of the consortium, unless provided for otherwise in their basic act.
- International European research organisations are eligible to receive funding. International organisations with headquarters in a Member State or Associated Country are eligible to receive funding for ‘Training and mobility’ actions or when provided for in the specific call/topic conditions. Other international organisations are not eligible to receive funding, unless provided for in the specific call/topic conditions, or if their participation is considered essential for implementing the action by the granting authority.
- Joint Research Centre (JRC)— Where provided for in the specific call conditions, applicants may include in their proposals the possible contribution of the JRC but the JRC will not participate in the preparation and submission of the proposal. Applicants will indicate the contribution that the JRC could bring to the project based on the scope of the topic text. After the evaluation process, the JRC and the consortium selected for funding may come to an agreement on the specific terms of the participation of the JRC. If an agreement is found, the JRC may accede to the grant agreement as beneficiary requesting zero funding or participate as an associated partner, and would accede to the consortium as a member.
- Associations and interest groupings — Entities composed of members (e.g. European research infrastructure consortia (ERICs)) may participate as ‘sole beneficiaries’ or ‘beneficiaries without legal personality’. However, if the action is in practice implemented by the individual members, those members should also participate (either as beneficiaries or as affiliated entities, otherwise their costs will NOT be eligible.
- EU restrictive measures — Entities subject to EU restrictive measures under Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union (TEU) and Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU (TFEU) as well as Article 75 TFEU, are not eligible to participate in any capacity, including as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, third parties giving in-kind contributions, subcontractors or recipients of financial support to third parties (if any).
- Legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine — Given the illegal invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the involvement of Belarus, there is currently no appropriate context allowing the implementation of the actions foreseen in this programme with legal entities established in Russia, Belarus, or in non-government controlled territories of Ukraine. Therefore, even where such entities are not subject to EU restrictive measures, such legal entities are not eligible to participate in any capacity. This includes participation as beneficiaries, affiliated entities, associated partners, third parties giving in-kind contributions, subcontractors or recipients of financial support to third parties (if any). Exceptions may be granted on a case-by-case basis for justified reasons.
With specific regard to measures addressed to Russia, following the adoption of the Council Regulation (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024 (amending Council Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 of 31 July 2014) concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine, legal entities established outside Russia but whose proprietary rights are directly or indirectly owned for more than 50% by a legal person, entity or body established in Russia are also not eligible to participate in any capacity. - Measures for the protection of the Union budget against breaches of the principles of the rule of law in Hungary — Following the Council Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/2506, as of 16 December 2022, no legal commitments can be entered into with Hungarian public interest trusts established under the Hungarian Act IX of 2021 or any entity they maintain. Affected entities may continue to apply to calls for proposals and can participate without receiving EU funding, as associated partners, if allowed by the call conditions. However, as long as the Council measures are not lifted, such entities are not eligible to participate in any funded role (beneficiaries, affiliated entities, subcontractors, recipients of financial support to third parties, etc.).In case of multi-beneficiary grant calls, applicants will be invited to remove or replace that entity in any funded role and/or to change its status into associated partner. Tasks and budget may be redistributed accordingly.
Additional information
Topics
Relevance for EU Macro-Region
EUSAIR - EU Strategy for the Adriatic and Ionian Region, EUSALP - EU Strategy for the Alpine Space, EUSBSR - EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region, EUSDR - EU Strategy for the Danube Region
UN Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDGs)
Additional Information
Applications must be submitted electronically via the Funders & Tenders Portal electronic submission system (accessible via the topic page in the Search Funding & Tenders section). Paper submissions are NOT possible.
Applications must be submitted using the forms provided inside the electronic submission system (not the templates available on the topic page, which are only for information). The structure and presentation must correspond to the instructions given in the forms.
Applications must be complete and contain all parts and mandatory annexes and supporting documents.
The application form will have two parts:
- Part A (to be filled in directly online) contains administrative information about the applicant organisations (future coordinator and beneficiaries and affiliated entities), the summarised budget for the proposal and call-specific questions;
- Part B (to be downloaded from the Portal submission system, completed and then assembled and re-uploaded as a PDF in the system) contains the technical description of the project.
Annexes and supporting documents will be directly available in the submission system and must be uploaded as PDF files (or other formats allowed by the system).
The limit for a full application (Part B) is 50 pages.
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). It is mandatory to submit a detailed budget table using the template available in the Submission system.
Call documents
Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025 Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive SocietyHorizon Europe Work Programme 2025 Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society(1200kB)
Contact
To see more information about this call, you can register for free here
or log in with an existing account.
Log in
Register now