Final call for applications within the Creative and Cultural Innovation Expertise ESF+ theme to open in autumn 2026
ESF+ funding is available for projects that strengthen skills and employment in the arts and cultural sector or the creative sector and the creative economy. The aim is also to support the implementation of the Cultural Policy Report and the Growth Strategy for the Creative Economy.
The Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland is responsible for the funding. The total amount of funding available within the theme is approximately 2 million euros, which will be distributed among pilot projects and paid as lump sums.
“More detailed information about the application criteria and limitations of the call will be published this autumn in the call for applications,” says Minna Taipale from the Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland.
Focus on pilot projects
In the previous application round in 2025, applications were accepted for the first time for smaller pilot projects alongside traditional development projects. The call for applications that opens in autumn 2026 will focus solely on pilot projects.
Compared to traditional development projects, pilot projects are more one-off, smaller experiments that respond to the development needs of the creative sector. This model helps projects focus better on results and impacts instead of a detailed examination of costs.
Funding for pilot projects will be paid as a lump sum, and the maximum amount of support per projects is 200,000 euros.
Funding can be applied for by institutions of public law and legal persons governed by private law, such as various communities, companies, associations, municipalities, learning institutes and cooperatives. Funding is not available to working groups, private traders or individuals.
The call for applications with details will be opened in the EURA 2021 system this autumn.
Creative Net 2.0 brings projects together
The Finnish Arts and Culture Agency’s Creative Net 2.0 team coordinates collaboration between funded projects and strengthens their visibility. The aim is to bring together the themes of the funded projects, promote the exchange of information, and highlight the skills and contents created in the projects.
“In this application round, the Creative Net 2.0 team will not offer project-specific sparring to applicants. However, they can still make use of all the support materials from previous application rounds,” says Sofia-Charlotta Kakko, Project Manager for Creative Net 2.0.
These support materials include, for example, “From idea to project” cards, the “From challenge to project” podcast, the “Idea sheet” and the “4T sheet”, which help to structure and develop project ideas.
Further information
Minna Taipale, Financing Specialist, Economic Development Centre of Southeast Finland [email protected]
Sofia-Charlotta Kakko, Project Manager, Creative Net 2.0, Finnish Arts and Culture Agency [email protected]