Think several moves ahead.
European funding, done properly.
Grant advisory for organisations across Europe, Africa and Latin America. From project idea to implementation and post-funding monitoring, we offer 360° proposal development and implementation support, helping businesses and nonprofits operate with clarity and create long-term impact.
Our clients and trusted partners
Credibility at a glance
Figures are based on project database internal reporting. Success rates refer to awarded proposals in a selection of EU funding programmes and may vary by programme, call and European project portfolio data.
Last update: October 2026.
What is your challenge?
An expensive mistake in European funding is pursuing the wrong call for proposals.
An open call can look like the answer to an important organisational ambition. But eligibility does not guarantee competitiveness, and obtaining funding does not automatically mean creating value. Before committing months of work and considerable resources, you need to know:
Are we pursuing the right opportunity?
Does the funding programme support your strategic objectives, or are you trying to reshape your idea around a call that may not be right for you?
Can we build a project that stands out?
Is the concept sufficiently developed, does it address a real need, and can it demonstrate the relevance, impact and delivery capacity evaluators expect?
Are we ready to deliver what we promise?
Do we have the right partners, expertise, resources, budget and organisational capacity to turn an approved proposal into a successful project?
What happens beyond this application?
Does this project contribute to a wider development strategy, or will you be starting the search for funding all over again in a few months?
These decisions, and many more out there to come, are connected. Getting them right can make the difference between an application that simply meets the requirements and a project that deserves investment.
We help you make those decisions before you commit.
What we do
From the first funding idea to the results of your project.
Whatever stage you are at, the quality of your next decision matters.
- 01
Funding strategy & organisational development
Identify the programmes that match your goals, assess your readiness and establish a realistic funding pipeline. For organisations with larger ambitions, we develop a multi-annual strategy supported by an ongoing strategic partnership.
Learn more about Funding strategy & organisational development - 02
Project & proposal development
Develop a convincing project concept, build the right consortium, establish a strong intervention logic and prepare a competitive funding application.
Learn more about Project & proposal development - 03
Partnership & consortium development
Translate approved proposals into effective implementation through sound consortium coordination, project governance mechanisms, reporting and quality assurance frameworks.
Learn more about Partnership & consortium development - 04
Project implementation, grant support & impact
Develop monitoring systems, MEAL frameworks and evaluation methodologies that help you measure performance, demonstrate results and improve project quality.
Learn more about Project implementation, grant support & impact
Who we work with
Different ambitions. Different funding challenges.
Different organisations have different reasons to pursue European funding. What they share is the need to make the right strategic decisions and translate their vision into something achievable.
Businesses & SMEs
You are planning to innovate, expand, modernise operations, develop a new product or enter new markets. You need to understand which European funding instruments make commercial sense and how to structure an investment that delivers more than financial support.
NGOs & Established nonprofits
You have a mission to advance, programmes to develop and an organisation to sustain. You need more than occasional grant applications: you need a coherent funding strategy, a predictable pipeline of opportunities and a partner who understands your institutional ambitions.
Universities & Research institutions
You want to advance research agendas, strengthen international collaboration and translate scientific excellence into meaningful innovation. You need the right funding strategy, complementary research partners and competitive project designs that connect research priorities with European objectives and opportunities.
Public authorities
You have to address local and regional development challenges, implement policy priorities and mobilise resources for strategic investments. You need to translate development plans into well-structured, fundable initiatives, bring together the right institutional and technical partners, and build the capacity to deliver sustainable results.
For organisations with ambitions beyond individual projects:
Strategic Funding Partnerships
A longer-term collaboration with Authentic European Consulting to anticipate funding opportunities, develop multiannual funding pipelines and build a portfolio of projects aligned with your organisation’s strategic priorities.
Why work with us
A different level of thinking. A more considered approach to funding.
The quality of a funding decision matters as much as the quality of the application. We combine strategic judgement, technical expertise and practical project experience to help organisations pursue opportunities that make sense.
We know when an opportunity is worth pursuing.
We assess strategic fit, funding requirements and organisational readiness before recommending an investment of time and resources. Sometimes the most valuable advice is knowing when not to apply.
We design beyond the submission deadline.
A strong proposal must be capable of becoming a successful project. We consider delivery arrangements, budgets, partnerships, governance and sustainability as part of the development process.
We bring experience together with a consistent methodology.
Our proprietary 7P Code™ provides a methodological foundation for our work, bringing structure and consistency to the decisions that influence project quality.
We provide senior strategic oversight.
Your assignment benefits from experienced professional guidance, supported by specialist expertise and technical capacity according to the needs of the project.
Founder perspective
Good funding decisions begin with asking better questions. Thirteen years ago, after facing six rejections in my own project journey, I began asking what I could do differently, and how European money could create greater value for people and society. Years later, I created Authentic European Consulting: a consultancy that looks beyond applications and funding awards, helping organisations make smarter funding decisions, develop ambitious projects, and turn European opportunities into real growth, stronger capabilities and lasting impact.
Before you invest in an application, invest in the right decision.
You may have an investment to finance, a project idea to develop, a funding opportunity to assess or a longer-term organisational direction to pursue. Whatever your starting point, the right advice can help you understand your options, identify what needs strengthening and determine the most practical way forward.
Strategy Session
A focused, one-to-one advisory engagement to assess your funding objectives, evaluate relevant opportunities and establish clear next steps. Come with your idea, your plans or the challenge you are trying to solve. Leave with a more informed direction.
Book your Strategy SessionHave a question before committing?
If you would like to understand our services, discuss a potential collaboration or clarify how AEC works with organisations like yours, send us a short enquiry to find out whether AEC is the right partner for your organisation.
Contact us