Regenerative Communities Fund: Open Call for Demonstrators

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Apply to the Regenerative Communities Fund Before 30 September 2025

The Regenerative Communities Fund (RCF), an initiative by ECOLISE launched in 2024, has officially launched its Second Call for Proposals. This call will select 15 Demonstrators from across Croatia, Finland, France, Portugal, and Spain.

If you are part of an existing, innovative, community-led initiative (CLI) working on climate action, regeneration, or just transition, this is your opportunity to connect, share, and amplify your impact across Europe. They invite you to carefully read the Call for Proposals, where you’ll find all the key information, registration documents, and application links. Apply now!

Read the call for proposals

What is the Regenerative Communities Fund?

The RCF is part of Funding Fairer Futures (FFF), a project co-funded by the European Commission under the DEAR Programme. It supports civil society organisations and community groups across Europe in delivering powerful, inclusive, and grassroots responses to the climate crisis.

The RCF helps community-led initiatives overcome barriers—like lack of funding, outreach, or technical support—especially in marginalised or underserved communities. Through an ecosystem of National Hubs, Demonstrators, and upcoming Pathfinder communities, RCF aims to build an inclusive movement for eco-social regeneration.

What Are Demonstrators?

Demonstrators are place-based, innovative, established CLIs that:

• Have a proven track record in regeneration and community engagement.
• Operate at local scale.
• Have the physical space and capacity to host events and visitors.
• Are ready to support and inspire others, especially emerging Pathfinders.

Selected Demonstrators will:

• Receive sub-granting (up to 13.333€) and capacity-building support.
• Join a vibrant, cross-European network of practice.
• Act as role models and mentors to newer or less-resourced communities.

What Will Demonstrators Do?

Demonstrators will play a vital role in building and expanding the regenerative ecosystem. As part of their funded activities, they will:

• Contribute to outreach and mobilisation in underserved communities, helping promote future funding calls for Pathfinders.
• Offer peer-to-peer support and knowledge-sharing with Pathfinder communities.
• Organise an annual showcase event and local policy dialogue, in coordination with the National Policy Dialogue organised by the respective Hub, as part of the annual European Day of Sustainable Communities.
• Share stories of success, methods, and good practices for ECOLISE’s advocacy campaigns and the Climate Justice in Practice repository.

Dates & Application Info

Call Opening: Monday, 21 July 2025 

Deadline to apply: Tuesday, 30 September 2025 

This is the second funding cycle of the RCF, with additional calls to be launched up to 2027.

Read the call for proposals and apply now

About Funding Fairer Futures

Funding Fairer Futures (FFF) is co-funded by the European Commission (DEAR Programme) and led by ECOLISE in partnership with national Hubs. It aims to raise awareness, support citizen engagement, and promote climate justice and gender-transformative action across Europe.

Together, FFF-supported communities are building a more just, inclusive, and regenerative future—from the ground up.

Any questions?

The ECOLISE team, together with the RCF National Hubs recently organised an orientation webinar about the RCF Demonstrators Call, to further explain the application process and answer questions.

Watch the informative session  Check the presentation slides

Additionally, they’ve been organising Open Office Hours to answer all the questions you might have regarding the Call for Demonstrators and application process. You can watch the last ECOLISE session recording here and check the upcoming sessions below:

September 20th 14:30-16:00 hosted by Jalotus, our Finnish hub.

Every Thursday in September, hosted by ZMAG, our Croatian hub.