Indicators for the transition to sustainable and circular economy

The main goal of this opportunity is to advance the transition to a sustainable and circular economy in line with the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan. It focuses on developing new business models, materials, products, and value chains that support circularity. Special attention is given to improving how circularity is measured at different levels, such as communities, households, and companies. The opportunity also aims to provide recommendations and guidance for public authorities, social economy organizations, and financial institutions to help them use circularity indicators effectively. Projects are expected to operate within the EU and eligible partner countries, with an emphasis on collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Develop or validate indicators for measuring circularity and sustainability at community, household, company, or value-chain levels. 

• Use Environmental Footprint or Consumption Footprint methodologies to link circularity indicators with impacts like greenhouse gas emissions. 

• Provide guidelines and recommendations for data collection, development, and application of indicators. 

• Target end users such as local authorities, social economy actors, and financial institutions, showing how indicators can inform circular economy practices.

Examples:

• A project led by a city authority to test new indicators for measuring circularity in local waste management.
• A partnership between companies and social enterprises to develop circular business models for household products.
• A research initiative that creates guidance materials for financial institutions to assess circular economy investments.

• Personnel costs for project staff
• Costs for materials and supplies
• Equipment expenses directly related to project activities
• Travel and subsistence for project-related meetings
• Subcontracting costs for specialized tasks or services
• Dissemination and communication activities
• Costs for organizing workshops or training events
• Data collection and analysis
• Development of guidance documents or digital tools

All expenses must fit within the lump sum funding model and be directly linked to the project objectives.

• Budget for this Call: 8.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 2
• Budget per project: 2.000.000€

• Consortium requirement: At least 3 independent legal entities from 3 different EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries, with at least one EU partner. 

• Eligible participants: Public or private legal entities, including universities, research centres, SMEs, industry associations, public authorities or NGOs, established in eligible countries. 

• Coordinator: Must be based in an eligible EU Member State or Associated Country, and provide operational and financial capacity for project implementation. 

• Affiliated or third-country participants: Allowed to participate but do not count towards the minimum consortium threshold and are generally not EU-funded. 

• Operational & financial capacity: All participants must demonstrate they have sufficient capacity to carry out their proposed tasks.