DigiCirc is a project funded by the European Commission that aims to make the economic system more sustainable through the digitalisation of the circular economy.

DigiCirc focuses on 3 themes: circular cities, the blue economy and the bioeconomy. While the call for circular cities closed in January and the call focusing on the bioeconomy is due to be released in September, you can submit an application for the blue economy call until 3 August at 17:00.

This call is aimed at partnerships consisting of at least 2 SMEs or start-ups that propose cutting-edge digital tools, technologies and solutions for the blue economy. In particular, proposals must address one of the following challenges:

• Challenge 1: Develop solutions, products and services based on digital technologies that increase sustainability, circularity and competitiveness in the aquaculture and fisheries sectors;

• Challenge 2: Devise solutions, products, services and applications to strengthen the circularity and sustainability of coastal tourism;

• Challenge 3: Develop solutions, products, tools and services to increase the efficiency, sustainability and circularity of port activities;

• Challenge 4: Devise solutions based on digital technologies to improve operations related to offshore renewable energy, increasing its circularity and sustainability;

• Challenge 5: Develop solutions based on digital technologies to address sustainability challenges in the maritime transport sector;

• Challenge 6: Devise digital solutions, products and services to make shipbuilding and repair more sustainable and circular;

• Challenge 7: Develop solutions, products and services based on digital technologies related to the circular economy for climate change mitigation and the protection of marine ecosystems.

If a company wishes to submit a proposal but is not part of any consortium, it is possible to search for potential partners via a dedicated matchmaking platform.

The selected partnerships (a minimum of 15) will benefit from direct funding of up to 20,000 euros and will have the opportunity to participate in a 12-week innovation support programme, during which they can develop their business plan, demonstrate their proposed solutions and devise a specific commercial strategy.

At the end of the programme, the top 5 consortia will receive an additional grant of 100,000 euros and will have up to 6 months to develop their prototype and carry out the necessary testing ahead of the commercial launch.

For further information, click here.