Deadline Date: September 23, 2026
The European Commission has launched its applications to strengthen the prevention and fight against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods through advanced technologies, cross-border cooperation, training ecosystems and operational support frameworks across Europe and beyond.
The call aims to strengthen efforts against the illicit trafficking of cultural goods by improving intelligence gathering, cross-border cooperation, operational tools, and training systems for law enforcement and judicial authorities. It also supports the development of practical solutions to address illegal excavations and related crimes while promoting long-term cooperation frameworks for protecting cultural heritage.
The programme encourages proposals that build on existing expertise and previously developed systems rather than creating duplicate tools. Applicants are expected to focus on consolidating operational ecosystems that integrate existing tools, LEA systems, methodologies for data and network analysis, and solutions for tracing, protecting, safeguarding, and repatriating cultural goods. The initiative also seeks to improve data quality, governance, interoperability, and access to critical databases while strengthening evidence collection through the use of open-source and geospatial intelligence.
The total funding available for this Coordination and Support Action is €5,000,000. Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment, including entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations, may participate provided the conditions under the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific topic requirements are fulfilled.
Affiliated entities, associated partners, entities without legal personality, EU bodies, the Joint Research Centre, and associations or interest groupings may also participate under the applicable conditions. All beneficiaries and affiliated entities must register in the Participant Register to obtain a Participant Identification Code (PIC) and complete validation procedures before grant agreement signature.
For more information, visit European Commission.
