Circulation of European Literary Works

The call supports projects that translate, publish, distribute, and promote European works of fiction.

What is the purpose of the funding?

The Circulation of European Literary Works call action aims to support around 40 projects implemented either by a single entity (mono-beneficiary) or by a consortium of organisations (multi-beneficiary). Each project should aim to:

• Promote the diversity of literature in the target country (or countries) by including works of fiction from countries that are under-represented, and in particular, works written in lesser used languages.
• Support the profession of literary translator, and respect the principle of fair remuneration.
• Propose the most effective distribution and promotion strategies, and the most appropriate book format, in order to ensure wide and easy access to European literary works and to contribute to the development of the readership of European literature.
• Encourage collaboration between different actors of the book value chain: authors, translators, publishers, distributors, booksellers, libraries, literary events, or festivals.
• Contribute to the EU overarching priorities.

Who can apply?

• In order to be eligible, the applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must:
  − be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  − be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
  − Creative Europe Participating Countries:
  − EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories
  (OCTs)
  − non-EU countries:
  − listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Creative
  Europe Programme (list of participating countries)
  − other eligibility conditions:
  − Applicant(s) must be active in the publishing and book sector
• Both applications submitted by single applicants and by a consortium are allowed. A consortium must be composed of at least 2 applicants (beneficiaries; not affiliated entities).

Funding available for

• Scope: Translation, publication, promotion, and distribution activities as well as activities addressing the themes and priorities described above. More specifically:
• Work packages of eligible works of fiction to be translated, published, distributed and promoted, based on a sound editorial, distribution and promotion strategy.
• Activities to facilitate collaboration between different actors of the book and publishing value chain - authors, translators, publishers, distributors, booksellers, libraries, literary events, or festivals.
• The proposed activities should be grouped, in the application form part B, in coherent work packages (i.e., major sub-division of the project). Each work package must have a corresponding list of activities, deliverables, milestones, and critical risks.
• Projects should not normally exceed 36 months.

Applicants should propose projects contributing to the European Union overarching priorities and meeting the specific priorities of the call:

• EU overarching priorities:
• Applicants must describe in their application how, in the design and implementation of their projects, they intend to contribute to the EU's efforts in terms of greening and digital transition and respond to the priority of inclusion and gender equality and international dimensions.
• Specific priorities:
• Increase the transnational circulation and the diversity of European literary works, through the translation, publication, distribution and promotion of works of fiction written in less widely spoken languages.
• Promote reading and the linguistic and cultural diversity of European literature to a large audience.
• Support the profession of literary translator in line with the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration.
• Increase the competitiveness of the book sector by encouraging cooperation between different actors within the book value chain, notably between publishers, booksellers, and libraries.

This action complements the other Creative Europe supports to the book and publishing sector such as the Day of European Authors (reading promotion and discovery of European literature) and the European Union Prize for Literature (promotion of European emerging authors). Applicants are encouraged to look for synergies with these actions.

❗️In addition, as part of the exceptional support to Ukraine, applicants will be encouraged to propose activities facilitating the circulation/translation of books from and/or into Ukraine, as well as their translation into or from Ukrainian. In addition, and as part of the EU exceptional support to Ukraine, projects aimed at providing literary works in the Ukrainian language to Ukrainian refugees and displaced people will be encouraged. In this context, the printing in Ukrainian of (non-translated) Ukrainian literary works will be eligible.

In order to support the literary translation profession in accordance with the principles of good working conditions and fair remuneration, it is recommended that between 20% and 30% of the total project budget is allocated to the remuneration of translators and that translators are given recognition and visibility, in particular by naming them, preferably on the cover page.

Furthermore, in order to preserve linguistic diversity, in particular lesser-used languages, the quality of translation and the profession of literary translator, publishers must contract professional literary translators, who must be referenced in the Creative Europe database. In this respect, publishers must comply with national standards and best practices.

Read and download the call document for Circulation of European Literary Works 2026 in order to check eligibility and requirements as these are guidelines only.

How much can you apply for?

• The grant parameters (maximum grant amount, funding rate, total eligible costs, etc) will be fixed in the Grant Agreement (Data Sheet, point 3 and art 5).
• Applicants will have to choose between the following categories of projects, both with a maximum co-funding rate at 60%:
• category 1: individual applicant
• category 2: consortium composed of a minimum of 2 eligible organisations.
• The maximum grant per project for individual applicant (category 1) is of €200,000 and for consortium (category 2) is of €300,000. The ceilings apply according to the size of the project:
• Small scale: projects proposing at least 5 translations of eligible works can receive up to €100,000.
• Medium scale: projects proposing at least 11 translations of eligible works can receive up to €200,000.
• Large scale: projects proposing at least 21 translations of eligible works can receive up to €300,000 (consortium only).
• The grant will be a lump sum grant. This means that it will reimburse a fixed amount, based on a lump sum or financing not linked to costs. The amount will be fixed by the granting authority on the basis of the estimated project budget and a funding rate of 60%.
• Read and download the call document for Circulation of European Literary Works 2026 for full details as these are guidelines only.

How can you apply?

• Read and download the call document for Circulation of European Literary Works 2026 in order to check eligibility and requirements.
• Applications are processed through the European Commission's Funding & Tender Opportunities Portal (F&TP).
• Detailed information on how to access the F&T Portal.