This call is linked to the parallel call ESF-2025-OG-NETW-NGO-FPA for 4-year framework partnership agreements (FPAs) with EU-level networks and organisations whose activities contribute to the implementation of the programme’s objectives in the following areas: policy advice and support, analytical activities, training and capacity building, mutual learning and exchange of good practices, awareness raising, information, communication and dissemination with EU added value.

Operating grants may be awarded every year to framework partners to finance their activities, insofar as these are in line with the programme’s objectives in the area concerned and the policy priorities that may be established by the Commission. The costs of general administrative expenditure necessary for the running of these organisations may also be covered.

This call aims to award operating grants for 2026 to partners that have first signed a framework partnership agreement.

With the ultimate goal of building a strong social Europe, this Call aims to:

• Promote social inclusion and combatting poverty by providing financial support to EU-level networks of civil society organisations active in this area at local, regional, national and transnational level. It will thereby contribute to the implementation of the European Pillar of Social Rights (EPSR) and its implementing actions, ensuring just transitions, protecting livelihoods, boosting employment, providing access to affordable high-quality social, essential and care services, reducing poverty and inequalities and creating opportunities for all;
• Support the implementation of the Commission’s EU policy initiatives to put the EPSR principles into practice, notably in the area of social inclusion and combatting poverty
• Deliver on the European Pillar of Social Rights is a shared responsibility of the EU institutions, national, regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society. Civil society organisations are expected to:
  • support the implementation of the EPSR at EU, national and local level, notably by collecting and exchanging data and good practices, cooperating with public authorities in the design and implementation of relevant policies, and delivering specific outputs directly relevant to the EPSR’s principles;
  • organise communication and engagement activities to raise awareness of the EPSR both at the EU and national levels;
• Support the Commission in implementing and disseminating new initiatives in the poverty, social inclusion and social protection areas;
• The ultimate goal is to build a stronger social Europe: modernise and strengthen the welfare states to protect people, combat poverty and inequalities, and to face the green, digital and demographic transitions.

The primary mission of the framework partners should be in the areas of fostering social inclusion and/or combatting poverty. Applicants should implement work programmes that:

• contribute concretely and directly to the implementation of the EPSR principles and related initiatives that are relevant to their statutory aim, with a particular focus on national and regional/local level;
• address directly at least 1 out of 20 principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights;
• organise communication and engagement activities to raise awareness of the EPSR and promote social rights in Europe;
• strengthen the capacity of national member organisations and their national, regional and local members to enable them to actively contribute to the EPSR implementation;
• provide concrete support to the European Semester process (at EU and national levels, including through the Recovery and Resilience Plans) through monitoring of implementation of social policies and initiatives by collecting data and evidence on the ground.

The annual operating grants that could be signed based on these framework partnership agreements will increase the capacity and capability of the beneficiaries to contribute actively to the development and implementation of EU policies in the poverty and social inclusion areas, including with regard to enhancing access to social services.

Important to note:

• the inclusion of persons with disabilities (principle 17) should be mainstreamed across all activities. However, networks that are mainly active in the area of disability and services for persons with disabilities should apply to the upcoming calls for proposals funded by the programme Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values (CERV-2025-DISA-OG-FPA; CERV-2025-DISA-OG-SGA).
• networks that are mainly active in the areas of social economy, social enterprise finance and microfinance should apply to the upcoming call for proposals for action grants to support EU networks active in the areas of social economy, social enterprise finance and microfinance (ESF-2025-AG-NETW-SE-MF).

This call will support EU-level networks whose activities contribute to the implementation of the above-mentioned objectives, priorities and initiatives. Networks will implement, among others, activities in the areas of policy advice and support, analysis, training and capacity building, mutual learning and exchange of good practices, awareness raising, as well as information and dissemination with EU added value.

Activities should include:

• contributing to evidence-based regulation, policies and reforms at EU/national/local level to support EPSR implementation and providing the Commission with input for policy design, e.g. by gathering relevant evidence (especially from local levels) and by contributing to public or targeted consultations and to thematic strategic dialogue meetings on policy or programme management related issues;
• raising public awareness and disseminating information on EPSR and particularly on social protection and social inclusion policies and legislation at EU and national levels, including good practices in ensuring access to social protection and social inclusion for all, and mapping out existing gaps;
• building capacity of national members, and their national, regional and local members to actively engage them in implementing the EPSR and the related initiatives locally and in reinforcing social services provision at local and regional levels;
• assisting in the transfer and exchange of good practices (e.g. within ESF+/EaSI and other relevant EU funded programmes);
• reinforcing cooperation with other EU level networks (e.g. through joint actions), including across different policy areas; with and between the national social stakeholders; with national, regional and local authorities;
• supporting the monitoring of relevant national and regional/local level actions undertaken as part of implementation of the EU-level instruments set out in the EPSR.

Applicants are also encouraged to support: capacity building of social service providers in the Member States in the area of access to ESF+ funding.