Supporting the clean energy transition of European industry and businesses

The main goal of this opportunity is to accelerate the clean energy transition and reduce the environmental impact of industry. It focuses on connecting the demand and supply sides of net-zero energy technologies and encourages collaborative efforts among companies located near each other. The initiative aims to engage businesses in adopting energy-efficient and renewable solutions, support industrial energy cooperation, and develop sustainable energy practices tailored for industrial processes. This grant supports projects that contribute to the broader goals of reducing fossil fuel dependence and achieving climate targets across eligible European countries.

• Project must address either collaboration for clean energy technology deployment (Scope A) or energy cooperation among nearby industries (Scope B).
• Must involve at least three applicants from three different eligible countries.
• Should demonstrate clear support from key relevant actors in the sector.
• Proposals must follow the required format, including page limits and layout.

Examples:

• A group of factories in the same industrial zone working together to optimize their use of renewable energy sources.
• Technology providers partnering with manufacturing companies to implement energy-saving solutions tailored to industrial needs.
• Several companies in close proximity collaborating to share clean energy infrastructure and reduce overall energy costs.

• Personnel costs directly linked to project activities
• Travel and subsistence for project-related meetings and site visits
• Consultancy and external expert services
• Workshops, training, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Communication, dissemination, and publication costs
• Costs for market analysis and barrier assessment
• Project management and coordination expenses
• Small-scale equipment costs (must be essential and well justified)

Restrictions: Technological demonstration is not funded. Equipment costs are only eligible to a very small extent and require strong justification. Only market-ready technologies are supported.

• Co-financing rate: 95%
• Budget for this Call: 9,000,000€
• Maximum value per project: 2,000,000€

• Applicants must be from eligible countries (see detailed call document for list).

• Public or private legal entities (e.g., companies, industry associations, research bodies, NGOs) are eligible. 

• Applicants must be based in EU Member States, overseas territories, EEA countries, or LIFE-associated countries. 

• A single applicant is acceptable (multi-beneficiary consortium not mandatory). 

• Coordinator must be located in an eligible country.

• Eligible entities include industry and business actors, energy agencies, private companies, consultancies, public bodies, NGOs, and research institutions. 

• Individuals (natural persons) are not eligible. 

• Entities not established in eligible countries are not eligible (unless exceptionally justified and cost-covered). 

• Entities under EU sanctions or restrictions are not eligible.