Horizon Europe - Pillar II - Cluster 2 - Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society - Call 2026 - HERITAGE

Cluster 2, ‘Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society’ aims to meet EU goals and priorities on enhancing democratic governance and citizens participation, on the safeguarding and promotion of cultural heritage, and to respond to and shape multifaceted social, economic, technological and cultural transformations. Cluster 2 mobilises multidisciplinary expertise of European social sciences and humanities (SSH) for understanding fundamental contemporary transformations of society, economy, politics and culture. It aims to provide evidence-based policy options for a socially just and inclusive European green and digital transition and recovery.

The EU is strongly committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), many of which have an important impact on culture, creativity, and inclusive society, notably: SDG 1 (No poverty), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), with their specific targets to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.

Proposals are invited against the following three (3) destinations:

Activities contributing to the destination "Innovative Research on the European Cultural Heritage and the Cultural and Creative Industries", will support research and innovation to boost sustainable growth and job creation through the cultural and creative industries. They will contribute to Europe’s sustainable prosperity and competitiveness by boosting the innovation-driving role of the Cultural and Creative Industries (CCIs), and by focusing in areas such as creative startups, the impact of artificial intelligence technologies on creativity and CCIs and promoting a circular economy and global partnerships in cultural policies and CCIs. They will help supporting people and strengthen our societies and our social model by boosting the role of culture, the arts and creative industries for well-being, the social economy and society. R&I actions will explore and strengthen the role of culture, heritage and CCIs in shaping the technologies of the future and focus on safeguarding intangible heritage and linguistic diversity, on sustainable cultural tourism and on countering illicit trafficking of cultural goods, among others.