Europe as a global powerhouse of design for sustainable competitiveness

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen the European design sector and its professionals, positioning Europe as a global leader in design for sustainable competitiveness. The initiative focuses on enhancing understanding of design's cross-sectoral impact, developing advanced methods and techniques, and driving innovation in sustainable design. Special attention is given to environmental sustainability, adapting to new technologies like generative AI, and fostering collaboration between diverse stakeholders. The geographic scope includes all EU Member States and Associated Countries, with some additional provisions for certain non-EU countries.

• Enhance understanding of the European design sector, including its cross-sectoral relevance for innovation and key strengths, opportunities, and challenges.
• Develop methods, techniques, and applications based on research and knowledge that enable the European design sector and design professionals to stay at the forefront of design for sustainable competitiveness.
• Contribute significantly to boosting Europe as a global powerhouse of design for sustainable competitiveness.

Example Projects:

• A cross-border partnership developing eco-friendly design techniques for the fashion industry.
• A collaborative project using generative AI to advance sustainable architecture methods.
• An initiative connecting design professionals with technology experts to create new solutions for circular economy challenges.

• Personnel costs involved in research and innovation activities
• Subcontracting services related to project objectives
• Costs for equipment and materials needed for project implementation
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and stakeholder engagement
• Costs associated with dissemination and communication of project results
• Training and capacity-building expenses for project staff
• Subsidies for project-related networking and collaboration events
• Costs for developing, testing, and validating new design methods or tools
• Management and coordination expenses for the project
• Administrative and overhead costs directly linked to the project

All expenses must be included in the lump sum and detailed in the budget table. Only costs necessary and directly related to the project are eligible.

• Budget for this Call: 13.500.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 3
• Budget per project: 4.500.000€
• Minimum value per project: 3.500.000€

• Consortium must have at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries (EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries)

• At least one partner must be based in an EU Member State

• All participants must demonstrate adequate financial and operational capacity according to Horizon Europe General Annexes B and C

• The action must be a Research & Innovation Action (RIA)

• Project should focus on enhancing Europe’s design capabilities for sustainable competitiveness with innovative and sustainable design strategies

• Standard Horizon Europe ethics, integrity, exclusion, conflict of interest, data protection, and legal compliance rules apply as per General Annexes A–G

• Eligible costs will be funded as lump sums under Horizon Europe rules