Horizon Europe Pillar 2 – Cluster 2 Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society

Cluster 2 supports research and innovation addressing Europe’s social, cultural, democratic, and economic transformations. It funds projects in areas such as cultural heritage, social inclusion, inequality, democracy, governance, and the role of culture and creativity in building more resilient, cohesive, and inclusive societies. Successful proposals must demonstrate both strong conceptual excellence and a clear pathway to real societal impact.

What distinguishes successful proposals in this Cluster is their ability to connect research, policy, and societal needs in a meaningful and credible way. Evaluators place strong emphasis on the quality of interdisciplinary approaches, stakeholder engagement, and the clarity of the proposed impact on communities, policy development, and social systems. Particular attention is given to inclusiveness, ethical considerations, and the involvement of civil society, cultural actors, and end-users throughout the project design.

EFMC supports applicants in structuring compelling proposals that translate complex social and cultural challenges into clear, policy-relevant, and evaluator-oriented narratives. We help consortia strengthen their impact pathways, improve interdisciplinary coherence, and ensure that proposals are both academically robust and strategically positioned for success in a highly competitive funding environment.