1st Open Call
The first ECIV Open Call invites companies, research organizations, public authorities, and civil society to join forces in developing interregional circular economy projects. With a budget of over €9 million, the call supports large-scale innovation initiatives (TRL 6–8) that strengthen European value loops, reduce dependence on virgin raw materials, turn waste into new resources, and foster behavioral and business model change. By connecting diverse partners through the ECIV matchmaking platform, applicants can co-create impactful projects that address urgent circularity missions and accelerate Europe’s transition towards a sustainable and resilient economy.
ECIV funding territories include:
- Comunidad Foral de Navarra (Spain)
- Noord Nederland comprising Groningen, Friesland and Drenthe (Netherlands)
- Norra Mellansverige comprising regions of Värmland, Dalarna and Gävleborg (Sweden)
- Normandie (France)
- Scotland (United Kingdom)
For more information, please contact us at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Please download the following document for all the information about the call and the application process - Guidelines for Applicants.
You can also find them under our Resources section.
The general objective of ECIV first open call (OC1) is to support interregional innovation projects of circular economy (Technology Readiness Level or equivalent in the range 6-8), based on the specific objectives, priorities and topics identified in different value chains and industrial sectors of the ECIV regions.
Therefore, ECIV first Open Call will concentrate efforts in promoting innovation all the three steps of industrial value chains: (non-exhaustive)
- Circular and sustainable new Materials, including new plastic solutions, green steel, critical raw materials, chemistry and biobased materials, new textile solutions, construction and demolition waste.
- New Industrial Processes, including strategies and processes suppering the 9 R’s of circularity, like Ecodesign and lifestyle thinking, Product R’s, Industrial Symbioses, maximum valorisation of waste and by-products and renewable energy.
- New Business Models, including circular supply models, extended product lifecycle models, sharing models and product service models.
Consortium of minimum 3 partners that include at least 2 partners located in 2 different territories represented by the ECIV regional funding organisations can apply.
Consortiums must have at least one company.
Eligible applicants include legal entities from eligible countries (EU Member States and the United Kingdom), such as:
- Companies (spinoffs, startups, SMEs, large enterprises and business associations),
- Research institutes and centers, universities, technological centers, clusters,
- Local authorities, public administration and public associations (government, public companies...),
- Civil society (associations, NGOs, etc.).
- Individual applicants (natural persons) are not eligible.
ECIV missions/submissions are based on concrete and urgent challenges that require cross-sectoral solutions.
Mission 1. Industrial Symbiosis & Resource Efficiency
- Enhancing industrial symbiosis by identifying and expanding opportunities for resource-sharing across regions.
- Reducing reliance on virgin raw materials while increasing the use of secondary materials.
- Improving valorisation of by-products from industries such as steel production.
- Minimizing freshwater use in industrial processes.
Mission 2. Waste Reduction & Circular Design
- Integrating waste reduction into policy to ensure sustainability is embedded in regional action plans.
- Cutting food system waste through innovative agro-food practices.
- Developing circular strategies for textiles and electronics waste.
- Boosting circular packaging to achieve full sustainability in food production and consumption.
Mission 3. Business Models & Market Innovation
- Expanding product-as-a-service models to promote circular business innovations.
- Increasing revenues from circular economy to ensure profitability and long-term success.
- Encouraging the use of biobased materials in construction for sustainable building solutions.
Mission 4. Circular Materials & Strategic Sectors
- Advancing circular metals and minerals to boost reuse of critical resources.
- Promoting efficient recycling and reuse processes for electronics and other waste streams.
- Strengthening synergies with industry transformation through funding and collaboration.
Projects must demonstrate their relevance to at least one of the priority missions or submissions defined by ECIV.
| Total OC1 Budget Available | €9,129,770 |
| Budget per Project | Min. €500,000 - Max. €3,000,000 total per project |
| Max. Funding per Beneficiary across all ECIV calls | Max. €600,000 |
| Budget per Applicant and Project | Min. €50,000 per applicant per project |
Funding rate is 100% for research and knowledge transfer, dissemination organisations and for non-profit organisations and from 40 to 70% for companies.
Eligible costs include
- Personnel costs
- Equipment (depreciation only)
- Travel and accommodation
- Subcontracting (if justified and indispensable)
- Indirect costs (flat rate, depending on the Regions)
Eligible costs must comply with the general eligibility conditions of Horizon Europe conditions and Regional specificities.
Beneficiaries must:
- Sign a consortium agreement and, where required, a subgrant agreement with their regional funding partner
- Participate in ECIV review meetings (kick-off, mid-term, final)
- Submit technical and financial reports
- Disseminate results per Horizon Europe and ECIV guidelines
The application steps:
- Applications must be submitted via the: ECIV platform;
- Register and create a profile;
- Complete the application form;
- Upload required documents (budget, declarations, etc.);
- Submit before the deadline.
Applications are evaluated based on:
- Excellence: (30%) – Alignment with ECIV priorities, innovation quality
- Impact: (40%) – Environmental, social, and economic benefits
- Implementation: (30%) – Feasibility, team capacity, budget clarity
Projects must integrate sustainable practices, reduce carbon footprint, and demonstrate environmental benefits. This must be clearly described in the proposal.
- Applicants may participate in multiple consortia if projects are distinct and total funding per organisation does not exceed €600,000.
