Up2Circ: funding for SMEs transitioning to the circular economy

The Up2Circ call for proposals is now officially open: a new initiative funded by the European Commission's Horizon Europe programme, focusing on sustainability. Its objective is to provide financial support to all European SMEs intending to accelerate their transition towards a more circular economy.

The call is aimed at SMEs in all countries eligible for the Horizon Europe programme and will specifically support up to 47 projects to validate the adoption of circular business models and implement concrete actions towards circular products, processes, and services. The budget allocated for this call is 1,230,000 euros.

To participate in the call and be eligible for funding, SMEs must collaborate with sustainability experts from the Enterprise Europe Network, of which Confindustria Lombardia is a partner. Consultants will support interested SMEs in designing a personalised action plan and submitting their application.

SMEs may apply for two different funding schemes depending on the type of project proposed:

For small-scale projects, funding is available up to 15,000 euros, and proposals must focus on an in-depth validation of the technical, economic, and social aspects of adopting circular business models, with the expected outcome being a feasibility study and business plan within 6 months;
For large-scale projects, funding is available up to 50,000 euros. These must involve the piloting and demonstration of concrete measures for the transition to circularity, focusing on prototypes, pilot tests, and the implementation of new business processes, with the expected outcome being a validated prototype within 12 months.

Projects must be submitted by a single SME from a Member State that meets the following two criteria regarding involvement in the Up2Circ Academy prior to the submission deadline.
The first concerns the circularity assessment; an assessment that applicants must have completed using the Up2Circ Circularity Assessment Tool.
The second criterion concerns increased knowledge and expertise in the circular economy through the Up2Circ Academy online learning programme.
This requirement is considered met when applicants complete at least 50% of the Up2Circ Academy e-learning modules.

For further information on the call and to assess the pre-feasibility of a proposal, please contact een1@confindustria.lombardia.it