Your organization will be in charge of technological innovation or environmental projects on the territory? Then you know that it's crucial to find funding to transform good ideas into concrete projects.
The european is one of the levers the more effective for it.
What is the European Project Design?
European project design refers to the process of writing, submitting, and managing projects which get funded by the European Union. It enables companies, public entities, and organizations to access non-repayable grants to develop projects aligned with EU priorities such as: the green transition, digitalization, scientific innovation, and social inclusion.
Click here for a list of current EU funding opportunities..
What European Project Design Is Not (And Why It’s Not Just for Big Institutions)
Many SMEs hesitate to explore EU funding because of common misconceptions like:
❌ “It's only for big companies or universities”
❌ “Need a dedicated office or a team of 10 people”
❌ “Too much bureaucracy, better to let it go”
In reality, many EU calls are designed specifically for SMEs, and they even support small-scale projects. All you need is:
- A strong idea aligned with the call's objectives,
- Willingness to collaborate with partners,
- Expert guidance to help you navigate the process.
Discover here what Europe can do for SMEs.
The benefits of participating in a european project
✔️ Substantial Non-repayable Grants: often superior to national ones.
✔️ International partnerships: universities, research centers, public bodies and other SMEs.
✔️ Reputation and visibility: positioning on a european scale.
✔️ Tangible innovation, through collaboration with advanced stakeholders and new skills.
An example
Imagine a small Italian tech company developing sustainable energy solutions. Thanks to EU project design, this SME joins a Horizon Europe call together with a German university and an Austrian municipality. The consortium secures funding to develop a prototype, test it in the field, and explore new markets in Europe. As a result, the company not only receives funding, but also gains visibility, skills, and international connections.
A Strategic – Not Just Financial – Choice
Becoming more structured: improving planning, management, and internal communication.
- Structured: to improve planning, management, internal communication.
- Growing:accessing new collaborations, technologies, and markets.
- Innovating:validating your ideas through European cooperation.
- Attracting talent:thanks to increased visibility and reputation.
Many SMEs, after their first EU project, choose to build an in-house team to continue on this path.
The Role of the EU Project Designer
The EU project designer (or europrogettista) is the person who translates your idea into a coherent, feasible, and convincing proposal. They work closely with your technical team, build the budget, handle presentation, dissemination, and project management.
In more complex projects (e.g. scientific research, emerging technologies, environmental sustainability), it is essential to have expertise on the technical contentto assess whether the idea is:
- mature
- innovative compared to the state-of-the-art,
- consistent with the objectives of the call.
Discover here how to recognize a good EU Project Designer.
How to get started with the european design?
Do not serve jumps in the dark. Here's a simple guide:
- Identifies a need or an idea for the project in your organization.
- Check if there are relevant european calls (I can help you to do so).
- Decide whether to apply alone or in a consortium.
- Draft a clear and consistent design.
- Choose whether to be guided by a consultant or go solo with external supervision.
I can help
Do you have an idea and you want to understand if you can access the european funds? Here's how I can support you:
✅ Full support:- from the writing to the reporting.
✅ Strategic consulting: analysis of calls, positioning of the idea, proposal review.
✅ Custom training: to increase the autonomy of your internal team.
👉 Contact me and find out how I can help you take the next step towards the future.
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