Associated Regions
Help restore freshwater ecosystems with SWIM
The SWIM project is launching an Open Call for Associated Regions to support local and regional authorities interested in restoring freshwater ecosystems, improving habitat connectivity, and protecting migratory fish species.
Through this call, selected Associated Regions will receive financial support, technical guidance, and access to knowledge, tools, and experience developed within the SWIM project.
Learn more here!
About the call
Help restore freshwater ecosystems with SWIM
The SWIM project is launching an Open Call for Associated Regions to support local and regional authorities interested in restoring freshwater ecosystems, improving habitat connectivity, and protecting migratory fish species.
Through this call, selected Associated Regions will receive financial support, technical guidance, and access to knowledge, tools, and experience developed within the SWIM project.
SWIM aims to engage at least six Associated Regions across the four Mission basins of the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”:
🌊 Danube – Black Sea
🌊 Mediterranean
🌊 Baltic – North Sea
🌊 Atlantic – Arctic
This is an opportunity to join a growing community working on practical, scalable, and long-term solutions for healthier aquatic ecosystems.
Why join
Why Become an Associated Region
Becoming a SWIM Associated Region means joining a European initiative focused on real action, collaboration, and impact.
Selected applicants will benefit from:
Financial support of up to EUR 60,000
Technical assistance and tailored guidance from SWIM partners
Access to SWIM methodologies, tools, and project knowledge
Collaboration and peer exchange with experts and stakeholders
Support for adapting and replicating solutions in your regional context
Stronger capacity for ecosystem restoration and management
Contribution to the EU Mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters”
Eligibility
Who Can Apply
The call is open to:
✓ Eligible applicants
- Local authorities
- Regional authorities
- Individual or consortium applications
✗ Not eligible
- Applicants from SWIM consortium countries
- Entities subject to EU restrictive measures
SWIM consortium countries (not eligible):
Austria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, and Ukraine.
Eligible countries include:
Armenia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Korea, Kosovo, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom.
Role & Activities
Kind of actions we are looking for
Supported activities may include desk research, fieldwork, travel, technical meetings, workshops, local actions, and procurement of external expertise. Possible focus areas include:
Migratory fish habitat improvement
Habitat connectivity
Long-term ecological resilience
Monitoring & rehabilitation of ecosystems
Community & fisheries engagement
Sustainable aquaculture
Biodiversity restocking actions
Hatchery area commissioning
Fish farm reconstruction
Removal of migration barriers
Sediment management
River morphology restoration
SWIM Alliance contribution
Dredging activities
Water quality testing
Bathymetry
Funding & Dates
Funding and Key Dates
€60,000
Maximum support per Associated Region, provided as a lump sum in two instalments.
60%
Upon signature of the agreement
40%
Upon validation of the final report
Technical support
In addition to funding, SWIM partners will provide support through:
Knowledge transfer
Technical guidance
Access to project experience
Stakeholder & network exchange
Timeline
4 May 2026
Call opening
3 July 2026
Call deadline — 17:00 CET
Until 31 Aug 2026
Evaluation and selection
30 Sep 2026
Granting completed
1 Nov 2026
Implementation starts
31 Aug 2029
Project end
How to apply
Application process
The call is single-stage. Download the Application Form, complete it in English, and submit it in PDF.
1
Download the Form
The form is an integral part of the Open Call documentation.
2
Complete in English
Ensure all required information is provided as instructed.
3
Submit via Email
Send to info@swim-danube.eu by 3 July 2026 at 17:00 CET.
⏰ Deadline: 3 July 2026 at 17:00 CET — applications must be submitted to info@swim-danube.eu.
Get in touch
Support & Contacts
For questions about applications, please contact us at:
General enquiries
Application & eligibility support
Project Coordinator
hrvoje.mikulcic@fsb.hr
Data protection: Any personal data collected in the context of this Open Call will be processed in compliance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).
