The EU CERV programme (Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values) has two calls designed for municipalities: town twinning and networks of towns. Both fund meetings between citizens of different countries on European topics, with a lump-sum grant.
On 20 October 2026 the 2027 calls are not published yet. The figures below come from the 2026 calls and help you prepare: the new rules may change.
Town twinning
Town twinning funds a meeting between citizens of towns from at least two eligible countries, at least one of them in the EU. In 2026 the call (CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-TT) had these rules:
- opening on 6 May 2026 and deadline on 23 September 2026;
- total budget of 6 million euros;
- indicative grant between 8,455 and 50,745 euros per project, as a lump sum;
- at least 50 direct participants, including at least 25 invited from other countries.
Municipalities and local authorities, their twinning committees and non-profit organisations representing local authorities can apply.
Networks of towns
Networks of towns are longer projects, with more meetings and more countries. In 2026 the call (CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-NT) set:
- a deadline on 16 April 2026;
- a total budget of 12 million euros and an estimated grant of at least 100,000 euros per project;
- at least four applicants from four eligible countries, at least two of them in the EU;
- a duration of 12 to 24 months, with activities in at least two countries.
Besides municipalities, other local and regional public bodies, networks of towns and non-profit organisations can take part.
What to prepare before the call
- The topic. Projects must be about Europe: remembrance, participation, shared values, the future of the Union. A plain cultural exchange is not enough.
- The partners. Contact the twin towns or the network cities early and decide who hosts and who travels.
- Registrations. The lead municipality applies on the Funding & Tenders Portal with EU Login and a PIC.
- The event programme. Plan days, activities, number of participants and how you will involve them: the grant is set on the project you submit.
In lump-sum projects you do not report each invoice, but you must prove that the planned activities took place, for example with lists of participants.
More calls for municipalities
In the Grants for municipalities section you find open and upcoming measures, checked every day against the official sources. If you want a free check of your case, we help you with the application.
Sources
- Call document CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-TT
- Call document CERV-2026-CITIZENS-TOWN-NT
- Town Twinning 2026 call page (Cyprus funding programmes portal)
Guide written with artificial intelligence from the official texts cited and checked against the sources on 20 October 2026. Rules and dates can change: the official call always prevails.