Opening soon PEO — support for employers: childcare for children aged 0–6 and flexible working arrangements (actions 3.c.1 and 3.c.2)
PEO call of 17,166,293 euro from the ESF+ for employers in less developed regions. It funds, as de minimis aid, childcare facilities for children aged 0–6, partnerships with childcare providers and flexible working arrangements. The guide is under consultation.
- Who can apply
- Employers constituted as legal entities under national legislation can apply
- Total budget
- 17,166,293 euro (ESF+), for less developed regions
- Funding amount
- De minimis aid, granted under a scheme published together with the guide
- Submission period
- Submission has not been announced; guide under consultation, comments accepted until 12 October 2026
Checked against official sources on · funder: Ministry of Investments and European Projects · official source
The guide has not been published yet, but good applications are built before launch. Those who start when the call window opens usually miss out on it.
Who can apply
Employers established as legal entities under national law can apply. For action 3.c.1 (childcare), consortia of employers can also apply. The call is competitive and is aimed at less developed regions. The aid is de minimis, so the company must have room within its remaining unused de minimis ceiling.
What it covers
- Setting up spaces for the supervision and care of pre-school children (aged 0–6)
- Partnerships with entities specialised in childcare
- Introduction of new or flexible working arrangements by employers
We prepare your application before the window opens
- We analyse whether you qualify and under which programme exactly.
- We build the application: business plan, budget, supporting documents.
- We submit during the call window and follow the evaluation.
- We stay with you through the reimbursement file and final payment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I submit a PEO project for a workplace nursery now?
No. As at 28 September 2026, the guide for the call "Increasing women's participation in the labour market through support measures for employers" is only under public consultation. Submission will begin after the final guide is published. The launch date has not been announced.
What is the budget of the PEO call for employers who support parents?
The announced budget is 17,166,293 euro from the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) and is intended for less developed regions. The maximum value per project does not appear in the official announcements.
Which companies can receive funding under this PEO call?
Employers operating as legal entities established under national law can apply. For setting up childcare spaces or for partnerships with childcare providers, consortia of employers can also apply. The funding is de minimis aid, so the company must stay within the available ceiling.
Do I have to build my own nursery to receive the money?
Not necessarily. Action 3.c.1 funds either the setting up of spaces for the supervision and care of children aged 0–6, or partnerships with entities specialised in childcare. Action 3.c.2 separately supports the introduction of new or flexible working arrangements.
Where and by when can I send comments on the guide?
Comments on the guide under consultation should be sent to consultare.peo@mfe.gov.ro by 12 October 2026. This is your opportunity to flag conditions that would exclude your company or that are hard to meet.
What pitfall should you watch for in this type of ESF+ call?
ESF+ calls often carry sustainability obligations after the project ends, meaning the service or measures must be maintained for a certain period. Read these obligations before you decide. Also check the de minimis ceiling, which is reduced by aid already received by the company and by its linked enterprises.
How long does it take to prepare the application?
It depends on the complexity of the project and the documents you already have. The first step is the eligibility analysis, which tells you what needs to be prepared.
What happens if I do not qualify?
We tell you before any contract is signed, and if another suitable programme exists, we point you to it.
Next step
We will prepare your application until it opens — PEO — support for employers: childcare for children aged 0–6 and flexible working arrangements (actions 3.c.1 and 3.c.2)
Fill in the form and we will tell you whether you qualify. If you do not qualify under this programme, we will tell you which other one you could apply for — or that there is none, if that is the case.
or call us directly on 0755 167 167
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