The European Project is accelerating the transition towards circular manufacturing through new collaborations and funding opportunities
The CIRCULOOS project, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme, officially launched its first Expression of Interest (EOI) on May 31st. It invites micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), Digital Innovation Hubs (DIHs), research institutes, and non-profit entities to adopt circular economy principles in their manufacturing companies.
Sustainability through the R- Strategies
The EOI targets organisations willing to adopt one of the R-strategies: recycling, remanufacturing, or refurbishing. Sectors of interest include but are not limited to basic metals, construction, electrical equipment, furniture, leather, machinery and equipment, motor vehicles, wood products, plastics, and other industries aligned with the project’s objectives.
CIRCULOOS aims to bring these SMEs to these R-strategies through a case-driven framework. In this framework, new digital tools and models of circular supply chains are built on existing collaborations of commercial entities through the project’s Pilots and Open Calls.
How to Apply
Interested parties are encouraged to register themselves or their organisations on the RAMP platform (https://ramp.eu/#/service-request/list-public). The registration for the CIRCULOOS EOI and support activities will remain open until Open Call #2.
The registration is open at any time during the matchmaking stage (from October 2024 to March 2025). However, registering before or during the official launch of the Expression of Interest will allow more time to participate in relevant match-making events and webinars that will be held under the responsibility of CIRCULOOS.
Pathway to Funding and Scaling Opportunities
The CIRCULOOS EOI serves as the first step in a three-step process, facilitating access to funding and scaling opportunities through the project’s upcoming Open Calls #2 and #3 in 2025/2026.
The EoI will include matchmaking activities to form consortia of 2 to 4 entities that can apply to the #2 and #3 Open Calls. The matchmaking will be done through RAMP, where the objective is to help applicants to find partners to team up in a consortium. Thus, searching for a matching partner from available entities in RAMP from those already applied and published their interest will be achievable. CIRCULOOS will compile a list of registered entities available, and willing to match in a consortium. Other types of matchmaking activities will be held, including online events where participants will have the opportunity to meet each other and collaborate.
Afterwards, participants will be able to apply for CIRCULOOS open call #2 and #3.
The Open Call #2 will provide up to €60,000 per consortium of 2-4 entities, for a €240,000 total funding to 16 selected consortia during a 12-month implementation program. The Open Call #3 will invite new third parties to contribute to and benefit from the established value chains, extending and scaling up the circular economy initiatives to further improve sustainability performance.
About CIRCULOOS
CIRCULOOS is a European Union-funded project under the Horizon Europe program, aiming to deliver circular manufacturing tools that orchestrate and continuously optimize the supply chain end-to-end while comprehensively integrating planning and execution. The project follows a case-driven framework, where new digital tools and models of circular supply chains are built on existing collaborations of commercial entities through Pilots and Open Calls.
For more information about the CIRCULOOS project and the Expression of Interest, please visit https://circuloos.eu/ or contact the team via our contact page: https://circuloos.eu/contact/.
