Consumption patterns and environmental awareness as enablers of transition to circular economy

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the shift toward a circular economy, reducing pressure on natural resources and helping achieve climate neutrality and biodiversity protection. The focus is on encouraging sustainable consumption and production, making economic activities less dependent on resource use and environmental impact. Projects should explore consumption patterns, develop ways to promote behavioral change, and raise public awareness about the environmental effects of current consumption. There is also an emphasis on using tools like Ecodesign, Ecolabel, and digital solutions to influence choices and strengthen knowledge among economic actors. Proposals should consider diverse social, cultural, and geographic contexts and involve citizens, civil society, and social sciences expertise to maximize societal impact.

• Projects must include eligible countries, with some non-EU/non-Associated Countries able to participate if they have specific funding provisions.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may be a consortium partner in selected projects.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity.
• Projects are evaluated based on established award criteria and thresholds.
• All legal and financial arrangements must comply with the program's requirements.

Examples of admissible projects:

• A research project assessing how different age groups in urban and rural areas adopt sustainable consumption habits.
• An initiative developing digital tools to help companies and consumers choose circular products and services.
• A collaboration between municipalities and designers to promote Ecodesign principles in local product development.

• Personnel costs
• Subcontracting
• Travel and subsistence
• Equipment (depreciation or rental)
• Consumables and materials
• Dissemination and communication
• Access to research infrastructure
• IPR and certification
• Audit costs
• Indirect costs (25% flat rate)
• Internally invoiced services

• Budget for this Call: 12.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 2.000.000€

• Proposals must meet the required page limits and formatting as outlined in the application instructions.
• Applicants must be from eligible countries; some non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate if they have specific funding arrangements.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) can participate as a consortium member.
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity.
• Projects must address the evaluation and award criteria set by the program.
• All legal and financial arrangements must comply with the program's requirements.
• Eligibility may depend on forming appropriate networks or partnerships, especially for consortium-based proposals.