Up2Circ is an international project, funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme. The project aims to accelerate and scale up the transition of European small and medium sized companies towards a circular economyThe circular economy is a restorative and regenerative economy. By maintaining the value of the products, materials and resources in the economy through smart product design, repurposing and/or shared use of products, it reduces the extraction of natural resources by using resources already present in the economy..
Up2Circ will develop and implement attractive and efficient measures tailored to the specific needs of each company.
In its first open call, Up2Circ Accelerator will support up to 47 projects with an allocated budget of 1,230,000 euros.
Who can apply?
Projects must be submitted by an SME from the EU Member States that meets the following two criteria related to their involvement in the Up2Circ Academy before the submission deadline:
- Circularity assessment: applicants must have completed the circularityCircularity describes the quantity of materials managed in a closed loop. assessment using the Up2Circ Circularity Assessment Tool.
- Enhanced knowledge and expertise in circular economy: applicants must have actively participated in the Up2Circ Academy online learning programme: having completed a minimum of 50% of the e-learning modules.
What’s on offer?
You can apply for two different funding schemes based on the maturity of your transition projects:
- Small scale projects: feasibility studies – up to 15,000 euros.
In-depth validation of technical, economic and social aspects of adoption of circular business models, considering desirability, feasibility, viability and environmental aspects. Projects should focus on one or several circular business models such as circular supply chain, sharing platforms, product as a service, product life extension, recovery and recyclingAny recovery operation through which waste, including organic waste, is reprocessed to become substances, materials or products that can be used for their initial function or other functions..
- Large scale projects: piloting and demonstration – up to 50,000 euros.
Pilot and demonstration activities to implement concrete transition measures towards circularity through the implementation of certain technologies, a shift to circular product design, introduction of new products, processes and services. Projects should focus on prototyping, pilot testing, implementation of new business processes, solutions and systems.
Key dates
- 31/05/2024: deadline call
- 06/09/2024: announcement of results
- 01/10/2024: start of projects funded
More information
Discover more about the First Open Call of Up2Circ Accelerator.
Read more about Up2Circ.
