Open Topic: Innovative solutions for the sustainable and circular transformation of SMEs

This opportunity aims to help small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make their businesses more sustainable and circular through innovative solutions. It focuses on supporting SMEs as they move towards climate neutrality, reduce pollution, protect biodiversity, and use resources more efficiently. Projects should help SMEs overcome barriers in the green transition and encourage them to adopt better environmental practices. The call emphasizes developing new materials, products, and services that are circular and bio-based, as well as digital tools and business models. The scope covers eligible countries as defined in the Horizon Europe framework, with the goal of ensuring solutions can be transferred and replicated across different regions.

• Projects must support the green and circular transformation of SMEs with innovative and sustainable solutions.
• They should identify and analyze barriers to this transformation and propose practical ways to overcome them.
• Solutions must align with key EU policies related to sustainability and circular economy.
• Proposals should include recommendations to support broader adoption and policy development.
• Large-scale demonstrations involving SMEs are required to show feasibility and environmental benefits.
• Projects must promote skill development for SME employees and work with public organizations and previous EU-funded initiatives.

Examples:

• A project creating digital product passports and AI-based tools to help SMEs track and improve their environmental performance.
• An initiative developing new bio-based packaging materials and piloting them with several SMEs in different sectors.
• A collaborative program providing tailored transformation plans and training for SME staff to implement circular business models.

• Personnel costs for project staff and trainers
• Costs for developing and testing new materials or products
• Expenses for digital tools and software development
• Demonstration and pilot project costs
• Training and skill development activities for SME employees
• Travel and meeting expenses related to project activities
• Consultancy and external expert fees
• Dissemination and communication activities
• Collaboration and networking costs with public organizations and other projects

Restrictions: Specific expense limits and requirements may apply. Please refer to the official Horizon Europe guidelines for detailed rules.

• Budget for this Call: 10.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 5.000.000€

• Applicants must be from countries eligible under the Horizon Europe framework.
• For blind evaluation, applicants must not reveal their organization or personnel details in the specified sections.
• Projects should involve SMEs as main participants and target beneficiaries.
• Collaboration with public organizations and previous EU-funded projects is required.
• Proposals must address the green and circular transformation of SMEs.
• Applicants must demonstrate the feasibility and transferability of their proposed solutions.