Stop Trawling for Calls: 5 Moves to Stop Wasting Time and Resources

In the world of European project design, “trawling” is more common than you might think.
It means applying to as many calls as possible, hoping that at least one will be approved.

On paper, it might seem like a clever strategy.
In reality, it’s a method that drains time, energy, and motivation — often without producing concrete results.

The truth is: every application comes at a cost — in working hours, internal resources, and reputation.
That’s why the keyword should be quality, not quantity.

Why Trawling Doesn’t Work

When you apply to calls that don’t align with your mission, two things tend to happen:

• Proposals lose coherence: they feel forced and disconnected from your organisation’s real identity.
• You burn social capital: partners and funders perceive a lack of clear strategy.

On top of that, repeated rejections can lead to internal frustration and demotivate the team.

5 Moves to Stop Wasting Resources

1. Start from strategy, not from the call
Define your organisation’s 3–5 year objectives — let them guide which calls to pursue.

2. Map funding opportunities in advance
Don’t wait for a call to “cross your desk.” Monitor relevant programmes and plan ahead.

3. Validate every idea
Before you start writing, discuss the concept with your team and trusted partners.
Is it truly aligned with the call and your mission?

4. Assess time and resources
A great idea isn’t enough. You need the people, skills, and budget to deliver it.

5. Monitor and learn
Analyse feedback — even from rejected proposals — and use it to improve the next one.

The Value of Saying “No”

Learning to say no to a call is a valuable skill.
It means protecting your team’s time, focusing your energy on strategic opportunities, and increasing your chances of success.

How Impacto Can Help

At Impacto, we support organisations in adopting a targeted approach:
We start by defining your long-term objectives, help you identify the most suitable calls, and guide you through every step — from idea to submission — to build a solid, competitive proposal.

Get in touch to learn how we can help you say goodbye to trawling — and focus only on the projects that truly matter.