Why Consortium Partners Matter

In most European funding programmes — especially Horizon Europe Pillar 2, Erasmus+, AMIF, and EIC Pathfinder, forming a strong, well-balanced consortium is key to being competitive.

A great idea isn’t enough. Evaluators want to see that you’ve assembled the right mix of expertise, countries, and sectors to deliver on the project’s objectives.

What Makes a Strong EU Consortium?

Your consortium should reflect:

• Geographic diversity (typically from at least 3 EU/associated countries)

• Complementary roles (e.g., research, implementation, dissemination, tech development)

• Capacity and experience (track record of relevant projects or capabilities)

• Clear added value from each partner (no token participants)

Depending on the call, partners may include:

• Universities and research institutes

• SMEs and startups

• NGOs and civil society organisations

• Large industry players or public bodies

• IT and innovation agencies

• Municipalities or regional authorities

Where to Look for Partners

1. EU Funding & Tenders Portal

Each call has a section called “Partner Search” or “List of Interested Organisations.” Use filters and check previous projects to find active players.

👉 Search calls

2. CORDIS and Previously Funded Projects

Explore past Horizon and Erasmus+ projects via CORDIS. Identify organisations working in your domain and reach out to project coordinators.

👉 CORDIS Projects

3. Partner Search Platforms

• Ideal-ist – ICT-focused matchmaking

• Net4Society – Social sciences and humanities

• EEN (Enterprise Europe Network) – For SMEs

• Erasmus+ Partner Search Tool

4. Conferences, Info Days & Brokerage Events

Attend thematic EU events and matchmaking sessions. These are often organised before major calls open. Many now run hybrid or fully online.

5. LinkedIn, Slack, and ResearchGate

Don’t underestimate informal networks. Many active coordinators scout talent through academic and startup communities.

How to Approach Potential Partners

• Be clear and concise about your idea, your role, and what you’re looking for

• Tailor your outreach to the partner’s domain and project history

• Include a 1-pager or concept note outlining the opportunity

• Offer co-creation, not just inclusion — people want to shape, not just join

Timbi Tip: Build Consortia with Purpose

At Timbi, we help innovators not only identify the right calls, but match with aligned, high-value partners across Europe. From early scoping to full proposal coordination, we support the partnership process end-to-end.

Our AI-powered platform maps opportunities, flags potential synergies, and helps you focus on the partners who matter most.

💡 Want help building your next EU consortium?
Let’s connect and make it happen.