Meet the first group of Pathfinder Communities of the Regenerative Communities Fund
We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the selection process for the 3rd Regenerative Communities Fund (RCF) Call for Proposals: 49 Pathfinder Communities will join the RCF ecosystem, as part of the Funding Fairer Futures (FFF) project.
Launched in late 2025, the call for proposals targeted small-scale, innovative, and inclusive community-led initiatives (CLIs) dedicated to climate action and local regeneration. We aimed to identify grassroots organisations across Croatia, Finland, France, Portugal, and Spain, that are deeply rooted in their territories, empowering marginalised groups, and ready to scale their impact.
The call received over 140 high-quality applications from across the five eligible countries, reflecting the vibrant energy and commitment within the regenerative movement. Following a careful and thorough assessment process, we selected 50 proposals that clearly align with the RCF’s purpose. These initiatives stood out for their impactful ideas and their clear commitment to joining the RCF network, building collective capacity, and fostering long-term impact.
We would like to extend our warm thanks to all applicants for the time, effort, and care invested in their proposals. Many high-quality initiatives could not be selected, despite their impressive work and commitment. In reaching our final decisions, we also paid attention to geographical balance to ensure a diverse and representative group across the five eligible European countries. As we move forward, we remain keen to stay in touch and to explore future opportunities for collaboration, as part of our longer-term vision to grow and strengthen the RCF network.
The 50 selected Pathfinder Communities will work closely with our five National Hubs and fifteen Demonstrators previously selected, as well as with ECOLISE. Together, they will strengthen a growing network that places climate justice, inclusivity, and marginalised voices at the heart of systemic transformation.
We are proud to introduce the selected organisations. Use the carousels below to explore the initiatives by country:
Croatia:
Finland:
France:
Portugal:
Spain:
About the Regenerative Communities Fund (RCF)
The RCF is a fund specifically focused on supporting regenerative communities in Europe.
The RCF helps community-led initiatives overcome barriers—like lack of funding, outreach, or technical support—especially in marginalised or underserved communities. Through an ecosystem of National Hubs, Demonstrators, and upcoming Pathfinder communities, RCF aims to build an inclusive movement for eco-social regeneration.
The fund is currently being piloted through Funding Fairer Futures (FFF), a project co-funded by the European Commission under the DEAR Programme.
The fourth RCF call for proposals will be launched very soon: we will be looking for 51 more Pathfinder Communities across Croatia, Finland, France, Portugal, and Spain. Check out our dedicated webpage and read the preview of the Call for Proposals. The Call will open on 11 May 2026 and close on 22 June 2026– start preparing now, don’t miss this opportunity to join the RCF!
Want to know more?
Do not hesitate to contact us at rcf@ecolise.eu, we will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the RCF and its subgrantees.
Additionally, if you would like to stay updated on upcoming news related to the Funding Fairer Futures project, you can sign up to our mailing list.
The Regenerative Communities Fund is one of 5 funds running under the Funding Fairer Futures project. To learn more about the other funds and their currently open calls, please visit the following websites:
- Climate Action Engagement Fund, CAN Europe
- Feminist Climate Action Fund, WECF
- Youth Climate Changemakers Fund, GCE
- Global Connections for Climate Justice Fund, CBM Ireland
