Get Ready: Fifth Call for Project Proposals Opens in 2025
We’re excited to announce the Fifth Call for Project Proposals, opening in 2025. Whether you’re familiar with or new to the Interreg Central Baltic Programme, here’s what you need to know.
Key Dates and Process
The call package, including the Guide for Applying for a Project and essential resources, will be available by the end of January 2025 to help applicants navigate the process. Jems is open for application preparation from 10 March 2025 for both regular and small projects, using a one-step application process.
The first possible submission date of the application form is 1 August 2025. Submission of application form in Jems closes on 30 September 2025 at noon (corresponding local time 12:00 in Finland, including Åland, Estonia, Latvia, and 11:00 in Sweden).
Key dates in a nutshell
Call package is available
End of January 2025
Jems opens for preparation
10 March 2025
Submission of applications
1 August – 30 September
2025 (noon EET)
Focus Areas of the Fifth Call
All 7 Programme Objectives will be open for applications, however, some areas have specific focuses or restrictions to help achieve the programme’s goals. A focus highlights the programme’s preference for projects addressing particular areas of need (as shown in the image below). When funding is limited, priority will be given to high-scoring projects or those that align with these targeted focus areas.
The focus areas for the Programme Objectives are as follows:
INNOVATIVE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Both Programme Objective 1 (More exports by SMEs) and Programme Objective 2 (More new scaled-up growth companies) are open for applications, but the programme prioritises applications in Programme Objective 1.
IMPROVED ENVIRONMENT AND RESOURCE USE
Programme Objective 3 (Joint circular economy solutions), Programme Objective 4 (Improved coastal and marine environment), and Programme Objective 5 (Decreased CO2 emissions) are open for applications.
IMPROVED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
In Programme Objective 6 (Improved employment opportunities on labour market) the programme prioritises applications dealing with result indicator PSR 6 “Number of people with increased competitiveness on labour market” as well as with less represented target groups like people with special needs and older people. All 3 types of result indicators (PSR 6 “Number of people with increased competitiveness on labour market”, PSR 7 “Number of organisations with applied anti-discriminatory policies”, and PSR 8 “Number of people with increased entrepreneurship”) and all target groups are open for applications.
IMPROVED PUBLIC SERVICES
Programme Objective 7 (Improved public services and solutions for the citizens) is only open for small project applications.
See all 7 Programme Objectives and their expected results here:
Programme objectives – Central Baltic.
A total of approximately €30 million ERDF will be reserved for funding in the Fifth call.
In a nutshell, the Fifth Call for Project Proposals in 2025 is as follows:
Coming up
Developing Project Idea
Begin by assessing whether your project aligns with the programme’s requirements. To be eligible, projects must focus on one of the seven Programme Objectives, involve at least two partners from eligible regions (Estonia, Finland including Åland, Latvia, or Sweden), address a common challenge, and deliver sustainable results. We strongly recommend submitting a Project Idea Form (PIF) and consulting with the Joint Secretariat for valuable feedback to strengthen your application.
Support Events
From mid-March to late April 2025, a series of support events will guide applicants through the application process. The event calendar will be published with the call package by the end of January 2025.
Final decisions
The Monitoring Committee will make final decisions on project approvals in January 2026.
We look forward to seeing your project proposals and the positive impact they can have on the Central Baltic region. Stay tuned for more updates, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.
