Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal
EU-wide call under Horizon Europe for funding innovative, circular-oriented production in cities involving the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative. Planned are two-stage innovation projects with funding volumes up to €6 million per consortium. Deadlines: 08.04.2027 and 16.09.2027.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Strengthening urban production through demonstration-open, circular systems that make local manufacturing capacities more resource-efficient and sustainable. Projects should cross departmental boundaries to bring together municipal actors, industry, and civil society, thereby contributing to the Clean Industrial Deal.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel costs
- Material costs
- Travel expenses
- Subcontractor costs
Non-eligible expenses
- Retroactive costs
- Debt settlement
Eligible to apply
- Public Institutions
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
Funding requirements
- Legal entity established in an EU Member State or associated country
- Consortium of at least three legally independent partners from three countries
- Compliance with EU ethics and security regulations
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financial plan
- Curricula vitae
- Application form Part A and B
Evaluation criteria
- Innovative content and ambition of the project
- Expected impact and utilization plan
- Quality and efficiency of project implementation
Description
The call “Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal” under Horizon Europe funds innovative innovation projects that make urban production systems more resource-efficient, circular, and sustainable. Funding is provided for research and innovation up to demonstration projects following the Innovation Actions model with a budget of up to €6 million per consortium (funding rate 70%). Eligible participants include municipal entities, companies of all sizes (SMEs and large enterprises), as well as non-profit organizations from EU Member States or associated countries. A consortium of at least three legally independent partners from three countries is required, connecting municipal actors, industry, and civil society. The project duration is a maximum of 24 months, with a two-stage application deadline on 08/04/2027 and 16/09/2027 (each at 17:00 Brussels time).
The call aims to future-proof urban manufacturing capacities in line with the Clean Industrial Deal: through demonstration projects, local value chains are to be established in urban districts, digital tools implemented, and knowledge shared. Personnel costs, material and travel expenses, as well as subcontractor costs are eligible for funding, while retrospective costs or debt settlements are excluded. Applicants must comply with EU ethics and security requirements, submit a plan for the exploitation and dissemination of results, and implement gender-responsive as well as open science practices. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, impact and exploitation plan, as well as the quality and efficiency of implementation. With this call, the European Commission supports cooperation within the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and contributes to the climate-neutral and resilient development of Smart Cities & Regions.