Call for Applications
ALF Knowledge for Action - K4A
Purpose
The ALF Knowledge for Action (K4A) Programme promotes the production and dissemination of evidence-based and policy-oriented research that addresses relevant dimensions of Intercultural Dialogue in the Euro-Med region. The Programme seeks to enhance the capacity of academic institutions (i.e., think tanks, specialised centres, and universities) to translate knowledge into visible, rigorous and actionable policies and practices that benefit civil society and tackle pressing challenges.
Topics
Selected authors are expected to address one of the following topics. In all cases, proposed Briefs must adopt a clear Euro-Mediterranean perspective and explicitly integrate an intercultural dialogue approach in their analysis and recommendations:
- Higher education cooperation and mobility in the Common Mediterranean Space. How Euro Mediterranean academic partnerships, mobility schemes and joint curricula can foster intercultural dialogue, shared values and mutual recognition across shores.
- Bridging skills gaps for inclusive green and digital transitions. Policy options to address skills mismatches in labour markets, especially for youth and women, so that green and digital transitions are socially just, participatory and conducive to social cohesion.
- Culture, sport and sustainable tourism as drivers of shared narratives. Ways in which international cultural relations, cultural cooperation, creative sectors, sport and sustainable tourism policies can counter polarisation, prevent negative stereotyping and promote inclusive narratives about the Mediterranean’s diversity.
- Civil society–local authorities cooperation and youth participation for inclusive governance. How cooperation between civil society organisations and local authorities can strengthen inclusive and participatory governance, foster youth engagement in decision-making and policy-making, and enhance social cohesion and intercultural dialogue in Euro-Mediterranean communities.
- Inclusive startup and innovation ecosystems. How to design and connect startup ecosystems and research–innovation networks in an intercultural way to reduce inequalities between and within Euro-Med societies.
- Digital infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, and data economies with a human-centred, intercultural approach. Governance models for digital connectivity and technological innovation that respect fundamental rights, address trust gaps between partners, and bridge digital divides affecting vulnerable communities across the Mediterranean.
- Intercultural dimensions of the green and blue transitions: energy, climate and coastal communities. How renewable energy, clean technology and sustainable blue economy initiatives can be designed and implemented to respect local knowledge, protect tangible and intangible cultural heritage and ensure a just transition for vulnerable communities.
- Sustainable transport and connectivity corridors as spaces for exchange and cooperation. Policy options to make Euro-Mediterranean transport and connectivity more sustainable and also more conducive to people-to-people contacts and fair access to opportunities.
- Evidence-based policymaking and shared knowledge platforms. Mechanisms and tools (e.g., observatories, joint data spaces, knowledge hubs) that support evidence-based policies, while embedding intercultural dialogue, transparency and co-production of knowledge with academia and civil society.
- Building a people-centred Mediterranean disaster preparedness and resilience community. Approaches to disaster risk reduction, early warning and climate adaptation that foster cross border solidarity, integrate local and traditional knowledge, and strengthen trust among communities around the Mediterranean.
- Intercultural dialogue in migration governance. Strategies to move beyond purely securitised approaches by using dialogue between origin, transit and destination communities, diasporas and local authorities to improve protection, inclusion and social cohesion.
- Peace, security and trust-building through youth and civil society cooperation. The role of youth, civil society and academia in preventing violent extremism, countering hate speech and disinformation, and promoting a culture of peace and mutual understanding in the Mediterranean.
Benefits
Selected authors will receive a lump sum of 700 euro net for the production of a Brief and up to 500 euro net for the organisation of a dissemination event in their community of practice (“Academic Dialogue”) to foster peer discussions, intergenerational exchange, and visibility of their research. Payment will be made only after the submission and approval of the agreed outputs, and no pre
financing is foreseen. Selected Briefs will be published by the ALF and disseminated on a Euro Mediterranean scale through dedicated Civil Society Dialogues.
Application Procedure
Interested authors can apply online before 23 February 2026 23.59 CET. At the time of the application, candidates will have to submit their brief concept. The one-page concept must be in English, submitted as a Word document, and written in Calibri 11, following the provided structure. The concept should include:
- A title.
- A short explanation of the theme, identified challenges, research objectives and their added value.
- Euro-Mediterranean aspects of the proposed brief, specifying how the proposed research is relevant to the region.
- Envisaged modalities of cooperation with civil society organisations, specifying their role.
Please note that it is not possible to save the application as a draft or to make any changes after submitting it. At the close of the call, the most recently submitted version of the application will be processed. The same candidate cannot submit more than one proposal under this call.
Phases
Upon selection, authors participate in a kick-off meeting and receive detailed Terms of Reference and Editorial Guidelines. After that, they have two months to submit a draft text, which will undergo a thorough peer-review process. After receiving the peer review feedback, authors have one month to incorporate the reviewer’s recommendations into a consolidated version of their work, which they will then resubmit to the ALF Secretariat for final approval.
The ALF Secretariat may request further revisions after resubmission until the required quality level is achieved. Once no additional revisions are needed, the Brief is approved by the ALF Secretariat and considered for publication and dissemination. After final approval, the ALF Secretariat supports the authors in organising their Academic Dialogues.
This procedure is designed to ensure that the published material contributes meaningfully to the Euro-Mediterranean debate in the relevant field, while also allowing for a rigorous examination of the content before dissemination to broader audiences.
For any questions, please write to us at: alf.k4a@alfsecretariat.org
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be affiliated with a university, a think tank, or a specialised centre.
- Be nationals of one of the 43 Member States of the Anna Lindh Foundation
Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be disqualified.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will apply the following criteria:
- Added value of the proposed research approach concerning the chosen topic [35%].
- Euro-Mediterranean scope of the proposed brief [25%].
- Background of the author/s in the specific field of the proposed brief [25%].
- Innovative modalities of cooperation with CSOs and the role assigned to them [15%].
A gender, youth, and geographical balance between Euro-Mediterranean sub-regions and countries will be observed. Priority will be given to applicants affiliated with organisations/institutions that are members of one of the national networks of the Anna Lindh Foundation.
Due to the large number of expected applications, limited resources, and the aim of diversifying beneficiaries, priority will be given to applications that did not receive funding from the ALF Knowledge for Action Programme in the past two years.
Indicative Timeline
15/01/2026 Launch of the call
03/02/2026 Online information session (11:00 CET) click here to join
23/02/2026 Application deadline
19/03/2026 Announcement of selected authors
25/03/2026 Introductory meeting with selected authors to present the guidelines
25/05/2026 Deadline to submit draft briefs
26/06/2026 Communication to the authors of the recommendations elaborated by the reviewers
07/09/2026 Deadline for the submission of reviewed briefs
September-November 2026 Authors organise their Academic Dialogues
Definitions
Briefs are a key tool to present research and recommendations that facilitate policymaking by evaluating policy options for a specific issue. They explain the policy relevance of a given problem, present findings, and provide recommendations.
Academic Dialogues are public events aiming to foster peer discussions, intergenerational exchange, and visibility of the research among academic audiences and key stakeholders. They promote the integration of intercultural themes into the Euro-Mediterranean agenda.
Background
The ALF, was created in 2005 as a Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental organisation based in Alexandria. The ALF, inspired by Anna Lindh’s legacy, is committed to fostering intercultural dialogue within its mission of nurturing inclusive societies where diversity is celebrated and everyone’s voice is valued. By promoting peace, justice, and strong partnerships, the ALF strives to create a world where people from diverse backgrounds live in harmony through open and meaningful intercultural exchanges.
ALF brings together organisations, institutions, policy makers, and other change makers from all Euro-Med countries to open a dialogue and cooperate. People meet, learn, and collaborate, through the Foundation’s different Programmes and initiatives in different fields to empower them to create a chain of positive change that touches more lives and communities. Its action is grounded on the two main ALF bodies: Its National Civil Society Networks, with more than 4.500 members, and the 43 States of its Board of Governors.
Framework and Financial Allocation
This Programme is developed in the framework of the Action Grant Phase VII, in accordance with the Anna Lindh Foundation Multiannual Work Programme 2025-2028. The indicative overall amount allocated to this call is 27.500 euro. The ALF Secretariat reserves the right not to disburse all available funds.