The end of 2025 brought many changes in operational programs, on the basis of which beneficiaries can use EU funds. The cycle of amendments began with the entry into force of Regulation (EU) No 2025/1914 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 September 2025 amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1058 and (EU) 2021/1056 as regards specific measures to address strategic challenges in the context of the mid-term review of cohesion policy.
The changes introduced by this document are aimed at making better use of EU funds in response to current geopolitical, economic and environmental challenges. Managing authorities of individual operational programs (e.g. ministries or voivodeships) received among others:
✔️ possibility to introduce additional specific objectives/investment priorities, including :
- strengthening the EU’s defense capabilities and civil security, including dual-use infrastructure and defense technologies;
- improving the resilience of energy infrastructure and security of supply;
- support for affordable housing,
- development of water infrastructure and resilience to climate change,
- smart mobility and technologies supporting industrial transformation;
✔️additional pre-financing from the European Commission for new priorities and more flexibility in shifting funds between priorities;
✔️ extension of the period of eligibility of expenditure by 1 year until 31.12.2030 in projects covered by the amended programs;
✔️ an additional 10 percentage points increase in the allowable levels of co-financing, in particular in regions bordering areas affected by armed conflict (e.g. the EU’s border with Russia, Belarus and Ukraine).
The use of these facilities was conditional on the transfer of at least 10% of the financial resources of the program to new priorities and the submission of proposals for changes in operational programs to the European Commission by the end of 2025.
It is estimated that the changes to the programs will be accepted by the European Commission by the end of Q1, and the development of detailed documentation enabling the announcement of calls for proposals in the new priorities will take place by the end of Q2 2026.
Significant changes have also been introduced since 2026 in the FENG.01.01 SMART Track, which is very popular among entrepreneurs:
- Projects will no longer consist of several modules – it will be possible to submit an application only for R+D projects – separate calls for SMEs, consortia and large companies are envisaged;
- In a separate call, SMEs will be able to apply for funding for the implementation of R+D results;
- It will not be necessary to attach a financial model and documents confirming the security of project financing to the first stage of the assessment.
We attach presentations of examples of new priorities and projects financed under them, as well as the parameters of calls for proposals in 2026 from regional, national and HORIZON Europe programs that may be of interest to entrepreneurs – potential beneficiaries or contractors of tasks in projects.
Do you want to understand if one of these calls is suitable for your company?
We support companies in the feasibility assessment, project definition, search for European partners and complete management of the application.
Contact us for a preliminary evaluation: digilio@investmentsgroup.net