Call closed PEO STEP-LLL — Skills for the future: training adults in critical technologies
PEO call of 92 million euro (ESF+) for training adults over 29 in digital, clean and biotechnologies. Authorised training providers and their partners can receive between 201,000 and 5,000,000 euro per project. Deadline: 30 September 2026, 16:00.
- Who can apply
- Authorised public and private vocational training providers, providers accredited by… can apply
- Total budget
- 92,000,000 euro (ESF+)
- Funding amount
- Between 201,000 and 5,000,000 euro per project
- Submission period
- 29 May 2026, 16:00 – 30 September 2026, 16:00
Checked against official sources on · funder: Ministry of Investments and European Projects – Managing Authority for the Education and Employment Programme · official source
This call window has closed. Most programmes reopen — we will notify you in good time and prepare your application before it does.
Who can apply
The following can apply: authorised public and private vocational training providers, accredited employment service providers, trade union and employer confederations and federations, sectoral professional associations, and training or research institutes or centres. At least one training provider authorised under OG 129/2000 must be part of the project, either as lead or as partner. Each provider delivering the courses must demonstrate at least 12 months of experience in a STEP field listed in Annex 7. The target group is made up of adults over 29 years of age, employed and/or unemployed. Staff of the internal apparatus of central or local public authorities are not eligible.
What it covers
- Level 4 qualification or retraining courses, and specialisation or upskilling courses in STEP critical technologies, authorised under OG 129/2000
- Programmes with organisation-level or international recognition, where no occupational standard exists for the skills concerned
- On-the-job training: apprenticeships, work placements or other forms of learning in real working environments, without simulated settings
- Information and counselling for participants undertaking the training
- Exchange of good practice and mentoring for training participants
- Specialised equipment and adaptation of training premises, as an ancillary investment
- Refurbishment of training premises and purchase of existing buildings for training (ERDF-type costs, up to 15% of eligible direct costs)
- Rental of premises, equipment and transport vehicles
We will notify you of the next round
- 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
Until when can projects be submitted under the PEO STEP-LLL call for adults?
Funding applications are submitted in MySMIS2021+ by 30 September 2026 at 16:00. The original deadline was 28 August 2026 and was extended by Order of the Minister of Investments and European Projects no. 1200/24.07.2026.
How much can a STEP-LLL project receive?
The eligible value of a project is between 201,000 and 5,000,000 euro. The maximum value is set according to the number of participants committed under the EECO01 indicator, with a maximum benchmark of 7,974 euro per participant. This benchmark is not a standard cost per participant.
Who belongs to the target group?
The target group is made up of adults over 29 years of age, unemployed and/or employed. It is not mandatory to include both categories. Employees of the internal apparatus of ministries, prefectures, town halls, county councils and local councils are not eligible.
What experience must the training provider have?
Each provider delivering courses under Activity A2 must demonstrate experience in at least one STEP sub-field listed in Annex 7 to the guide. Experience can be demonstrated through training programmes, workshops, seminars or conferences, supported by contracts, programmes or agendas. The condition does not apply to partners who do not deliver training.
Are GDPR courses or courses on using software applications eligible?
No, if they contain nothing more than that. General, basic digital or transversal skills modules, such as standard use of applications or introductory GDPR notions, do not on their own make a programme a STEP one. The training must aim at understanding, developing, testing and adapting the critical technologies listed in Annex 7.
Is consultancy for writing the funding application eligible?
No. According to the official list of questions and answers of the PEO Managing Authority, consultancy services for preparing and submitting the funding application are not eligible costs in the STEP-LLL – Adults call.
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 notify you about the next round — PEO STEP-LLL — Skills for the future: training adults in critical technologies
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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