How to write a strong CERV proposal: advice from an evaluator

Before you start

How evaluators read a proposal

1. Only what is written is scored.Evaluators do not ask for clarification or fill gaps with assumptions. Anything unclear counts as a weakness.
2. They score criterion by criterion, point by point.A proposal that answers each point under a clear heading is easier to score high.
3. The first page shapes the view of the whole proposal.Section 1.1 matters most.

Evaluation

Scoring

European Remembrance uses these criteria (most CERV calls use the same scheme):

Before writing

Read the call document first

Every CERV call adds its own rules. Before writing, check:

• the exact wording of the priority: evaluators check the fit against it, so quote it;
• the policy context: which EU strategies and laws the call names;
• extra scoring points: what the call says "will be taken into account";
• eligibility and format.

European Remembrance at a glance

• 24 Feb 2027deadline, 17:00 Brussels time
• EUR 50,000minimum grant
• 2+applicants, with a non-profit lead applicant
• 12-24 monthsusual project duration
• 70 pagesmaximum length of Part B
• Lump sumfunding type

Section 1.1 should answer six questions in about one page:

1. What is the problem, and how big?Two or three recent, sourced figures.
2. Why now?
3. What is missing today?In one sentence.
4. What will the project do?Concretely, with countries and numbers.
5. How does it fit the priority?Quote the call.
6. Who are the target groups?How many people, and why them.

• Number the needs and link each specific objective to a need, ideally in a small table.
• Use national data, not only EU averages, and your own evidence: surveys, what partners see in their work.
• Name the previous projects and resources you build on, and what you add. Give one concrete reason for each country: "different contexts" is not a reason.
• State needs with confidence. Do not add caveats that weaken your own choice of target group.

• Describe the participant's experienceNumber of sessions, hours, group size, in person or online.
• Show the Theory of Change as a figureActivities, outputs, short- and longer-term change, assumptions.
• Involve the target group at two levelsIn designing the programme (how many people, when, what they decide) and in the activities themselves.
• Show why every partner is neededWhat each brings that others do not, and how it reaches the target group.
• Set firm targetsPer country, never "preliminary". Measure change, not only activity, with at least one outcome indicator and a baseline.
• Rate each risk separatelyWith concrete mitigation. Identical ratings for every risk look unassessed.
• Work packagesObjectives, tasks with responsible partners, verifiable milestones and dated deliverables. Partners, numbering and figures must match Part A.

• Numbers for the results chainPut a number on each step (for example facilitators trained, people reached, organisations that keep using the results).
• Dissemination by audienceWho, which channel, what they should do, what reach, and how you will check it. Give each event an output.
• SustainabilityName who hosts the results and for how long, which regular partner activities will include them, and who pays for ongoing costs. Attach letters of commitment from organisations or public authorities.
• Limitations: one sentenceOne sentence on limitations is enough. Repeated caveats make a project sound unsure of its results.

In every CERV call

What every CERV call checks

• Gender perspectiveEuropean Remembrance explicitly asks for a gender analysis and a gender perspective in needs, methods, monitoring and results, not only in participation numbers.
• Non-discrimination and EU valuesAttention to age, disability, ethnic origin, religion and sexual orientation, and respect for EU values stated in the ethics section.
• ChildrenIf anyone under 18 takes part, private organisations need a child protection policy following the Keeping Children Safe standards, and public bodies provide a declaration.
• DataSex-disaggregated data and GDPR-compliant collection.

Form

Write so evaluators can score you

• Use the template headings and put each piece of content under its own heading.
• Say each thing once. Repetition takes space and reads as padding.
• Short sentences and concrete facts: names, numbers, dates. Quote the call to explain the fit.
• Before submitting, check consistency across Parts A, B and C, and remove drafting notes and placeholders. Submit well before the deadline.