SITCE - Economia Circular - Algarve

The main goal of this opportunity is to support the transition to a circular economy by improving water reuse in businesses. It focuses on implementing best practices and innovative techniques for efficient water management within company production processes. Key areas include the reuse of wastewater for washing, sanitation, and optimizing irrigation for green spaces, but projects related to golf course irrigation are not eligible. The geographic scope is limited to the Algarve region in Portugal. This grant aims to drive environmental innovation and sustainable production in local companies.

• Projects must comply with specific eligibility and documentation requirements.
• They should create new establishments, expand existing ones, diversify production, or fundamentally alter production processes.
• Projects must promote efficient water reuse, excluding golf course irrigation.
• Architectural plans or licensing evidence must be provided if required.
• They should demonstrate technical innovation and environmental benefit.
• For co-promoted projects, effective collaboration between companies and research entities is required, with a company as lead.
• Applicants must show financial and operational capacity.

Example Projects:

• A food processing company installs a new water recycling system to reuse wastewater for equipment cleaning.
• A manufacturing plant upgrades its irrigation system for green spaces, using treated process water instead of potable water.
• An industrial laundry service diversifies its production by introducing new water-efficient washing technologies.

• Salaries and costs for technical personnel involved in R&D activities
• Acquisition of patents or licenses at market prices
• Purchase of raw materials, consumables, and components for prototypes or pilot installations
• Services from third parties, including technical and scientific consultancy
• Purchase of technical-scientific equipment, instruments, and specific software
• Certification costs for R&D management systems
• Expenses for auditors and certified accountants validating payment requests (up to €5,000)
• Acquisition of machinery, equipment, and IT systems, including necessary software
• Amortization costs for tangible and intangible assets used in the project
• Indirect costs for R&D activities (fixed at 7% of total eligible direct costs)

Restrictions: Expenses must be reasonable, market-aligned, and purchased from unrelated third parties. Costs incurred before the application date, including feasibility studies, are not eligible. Costs for "Do No Significant Harm" studies are capped at €15,000. Golf course irrigation projects are not eligible. Double financing is not allowed.

Total budget of the grant: €14,000,000

Co-financing rate: Maximum: 60%

Maximum value per project: €500,000

Minimum value per project: €100,000

• Operations must align with the objectives of the notice and demonstrate environmental responsibility.
• Applicants must have financial stability, with a financial autonomy ratio of at least 0.15, or for new companies, capital equal to or greater than 20% of eligible expenses.
• Organized accounting and no salary arrears are required.
• Applicants must have adequate resources to carry out the project.
• Submission of a project description explaining its contribution to the circular economy is required.
• Applicants must address equality and non-discrimination in their projects.
• All necessary licensing and documentation must be provided.
• Compliance with state aid rules must be demonstrated when relevant.
• For co-promoted projects, partnership with research and innovation entities is required, with a company as the lead partner.