PoIDS 8.3: training for specialists working with vulnerable groups, deadline 30 September

The call "Professional training for specialists working with vulnerable groups" under the Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme (PoIDS) 2021-2027 closes on 30 September 2026 at 16:00. Three days remain. The call funds training for social workers, psychologists, lawyers and other specialists who work with victims of domestic violence or human trafficking, homeless people, people with addictions and people released from detention. Eligible applicants are accredited social service providers and authorised continuing vocational training providers, whether public or private. The project must include a partner from among the Ministry of Labour and the relevant structures listed in the guide, for example a DGASPC or a social assistance department.

Realistically, only organisations that already have their partnership in place and their application nearly ready in MySMIS2021 can submit now. For everyone else, this article sets out what the call requires, so that you can prepare for a possible next call window.

In brief

• Programme: Social Inclusion and Dignity Programme (PoIDS) 2021-2027, Priority P08, Action 8.3, specific objective ESO4.11
• Authority: Ministry of Investments and European Projects, Managing Authority for PoIDS
• Beneficiaries: accredited social service providers and authorised continuing vocational training providers, public or private, within the partnership required by the guide
• Target group: specialists who work with and for certain vulnerable groups
• Submission period: 30 July 2026, 16:00 – 30 September 2026, 16:00
• Status: call open, with the final guide approved by MIPE Order no. 1214/2026; the deadline expires in three days

Which vulnerable groups is the training for?

According to section 3.7 of the Applicant's Guide – Specific Conditions, the training is aimed only at specialists who work with and for the following categories:

• victims of domestic violence;
• victims of human trafficking;
• people with drug or alcohol dependence;
• people released from prison;
• homeless people;
• people addicted to gambling;
• their families or dependants.

Specialists who work with people with disabilities are not part of the target group. A separate call, Action 7.8, was open for them between 27 November 2025 and 27 February 2026. The fact that the National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities appears among the eligible partners does not widen the target group.

A person can join the target group if they meet three conditions cumulatively:

• they are employed by, or collaborate with, a public or private organisation that works with the groups above;
• they carry out direct or indirect activities for these people;
• they do not at the same time receive public money from other programmes for the same courses.

Employees of a partner DGASPC, including civil servants, as well as employees of the day centres of a partner NGO, can also join the target group, even if they are not paid from the project budget.

Who can apply and how should the partnership be built?

Section 5.1.4 of the guide requires the project to be carried out in partnership with the Ministry of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity and/or with the structures listed in points 2)–4) of section 5.1.3, for example a DGASPC or a local social assistance department. The official FAQ states that the presence of any one of these entities is sufficient. The Ministry is not mandatory if the partnership includes, for example, a DGASPC.

A partnership made up of only two NGOs is not eligible, even if one is an authorised training provider and the other an accredited social service provider. The two can remain lead partner and partner, but they must bring in a third entity from among those in points 1)–4).

What type of training is funded?

Activity 1 (section 5.2.2 of the guide) aims to develop skills for identifying, assessing, guiding and supporting vulnerable people. Qualification or requalification programmes are not eligible. The call is aimed at people who already have the necessary training, so introductory, upskilling and specialisation courses are suitable.

For indicator EECR03, "qualification" means the formal outcome of an assessment and validation process, obtained when a competent body determines that the person has met certain standards. This includes programmes authorised under OG no. 129/2000, as well as other forms of recognition of skills, including at institutional level. For regulated professions, courses must comply with the specific legislation and the requirements of the professional bodies.

How and by when do you apply?

Applications must be submitted by 30 September 2026 at 16:00. On the call page, the authority has published the final guide, the list of questions and answers, the version put to public consultation and the responses to the proposals received during the consultation. The call budget and the maximum value per project do not appear on the call page, in the FAQ or on the consultation page. Check them directly in the final guide before submitting.

The guide was in public consultation until 7 July 2026. It has not been officially announced whether the deadline will be extended or whether a new call window will follow.

What this means for your business

Our recommendation, by category of applicant:

• Your application is nearly ready: check three things now. The partnership must include an entity from points 1)–4). The target group must correspond strictly to the seven categories in section 3.7. No activity may be qualification or requalification. Do not leave the upload to MySMIS2021 until the last day.
• You have not started yet: a new project with a public partnership cannot be done properly in three days. Use the time for a future call window, if one is announced. Talk to your local DGASPC or social assistance department, decide which specialists would fall within the target group and prepare suitable upskilling programmes.
• Town halls, county councils, social assistance departments and DGASPCs: you are the partner that NGOs and training providers need. A well-designed partnership agreement gives you trained staff without your having to lead the project.

The most common mistake is including specialists who work with people with disabilities. To see which other funding options suit you, you can use the eligibility check.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still submit a project to the PoIDS call for training specialists?

Yes, until 30 September 2026 at 16:00, if the application is complete in MySMIS2021 and the partnership complies with section 5.1.4 of the guide. After that time, the call closes.

Is a partnership with the Ministry of Labour mandatory?

Not necessarily. The condition is met if the partnership includes the Ministry of Labour or one of the structures in points 2)–4) of section 5.1.3, for example a DGASPC or a local social assistance department.

Can I train staff who work with people with disabilities?

No. The target group covers only specialists who work with victims of domestic violence or trafficking, people with addictions, people released from detention, homeless people and their families. Staff in the disability field had a separate call, Action 7.8.

Are qualification courses eligible?

No. Vocational qualification and requalification are excluded. The funding covers introductory, upskilling and specialisation courses for specialists who already have basic training.

What is the budget of the call?

The budget and the value per project do not appear on the call page, in the FAQ or on the public consultation page. They are set out in the final guide approved by MIPE Order no. 1214/2026, which you can download from the call page.

Official sources

• MIPE – PoIDS calls for proposals and guides
• Frequently asked questions – the call "Professional training for specialists working with vulnerable groups"
• Applicant's Guide – Specific Conditions, final version
• Public consultation – PoIDS Applicant's Guide, Action 8.3

Information checked on 27 September 2026. Conditions may be amended by the managing authority — check the guide in force before submitting.