Advancing circular logistics solutions in cities

Overview

The Horizon Europe funding opportunity titled "HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-CCRI-04: Advancing Circular Logistics Solutions in Cities" seeks to support systemic transformations in urban logistics through circular economy principles. A total budget of €22.5 million is available, earmarked for three large-scale projects, with each project eligible for funding of approximately €7.5 million.

Eligible applicants include local authorities, public sector organizations, private logistics operators, e-commerce and retail enterprises, research institutions, technology providers, social enterprises, and public-private partnerships. A key requirement is that proposals must involve at least three cities, each from a different EU Member State or associated country, with explicit consent from local authorities. At least one participating city must be among the 112 designated cities for the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.

The funding format is based on grants delivered through a lump-sum mechanism, specifically categorized as HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). The application process is a single-stage submission, with planned openings on February 9, 2027, and a deadline on October 7, 2027. This call focuses on several target sectors, including circular economy, urban logistics, sustainable transport, waste management, digital technology, and climate action.

Projects should address challenges related to packaging waste, transport inefficiencies, and carbon emissions escalating due to e-commerce growth. Expected outcomes include the design and development of reusable and recyclable packaging, testing of digital tools that track logistics, and the establishment of multi-stakeholder partnerships for urban logistics. Proposals will necessitate real-world demonstrations in varied urban environments and must evaluate the social, environmental, and economic impacts of proposed solutions.

Collaboration with platforms like the Cities Mission Platform and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative is essential, promoting cross-project cooperation and resource sharing. The call emphasizes innovative approaches to create effective response measures to the growing logistical demands of urban environments while supporting sustainable practices.

While specific success rates for applications are not provided, the competitive nature of Horizon Europe grants typically yields success rates between 10-15% depending on various factors. The opportunity does not explicitly mandate co-funding but implies that organizations will likely need to contribute additional resources, particularly in-kind contributions, to support comprehensive project requirements.

Overall, this funding opportunity aims to facilitate innovative projects that integrate circular economy practices into urban logistics, enhancing sustainability and promoting collaboration among cities, logistics providers, and other stakeholders.

Detail

This is a Horizon Europe call for proposals under the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, specifically targeting the advancement of circular logistics solutions in cities. The call, titled HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-CCRI-04, seeks to fund projects that accelerate the transition towards a circular economy within the freight transport sector and the broader urban logistics value chain. The projects should align with the objectives of the Climate-neutral and Smart Cities Mission and the EU Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI).

The call is for HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA) and uses the HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement. It is a single-stage application process with a planned opening date of 09 February 2027 and a deadline of 07 October 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget for this topic is 22,500,000 EUR, and it is anticipated that approximately three grants will be awarded, with each grant contributing around 7,500,000 EUR.

The expected outcomes of funded projects include:

Accelerated transition towards a circular economy in freight transport and urban logistics.
Increased adoption of circular systemic logistics solutions by logistics operators.
Improved integration of reverse logistics into urban logistics models.
Optimized resource utilization in urban logistics, reducing material consumption and carbon footprint.
Enhanced cooperation among urban stakeholders to foster circular business models and consumer acceptance.

The scope of the call involves addressing challenges related to packaging waste, inefficiencies in freight transport, and environmental impacts resulting from the rapid growth of e-commerce and urban logistics. Proposals should build on previously funded projects and leverage complementarities with existing regional circularity hubs and initiatives such as the CCRI and the Driving Urban Transition Partnership (DUT).

The call outlines specific actions that proposals should address:

Design and develop innovative, modular, reusable, and recyclable packaging and loading units to reduce single-use packaging.
Develop and test digital tools and systems for tracking and optimizing the use of loading units, integrating technologies like Internet of Things (IoT), edge computing, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and data-driven collaboration platforms.
Engage urban and local stakeholders in co-designing innovative solutions for reusable and recyclable packaging, utilizing parcel lockers and micro-hubs for returns and collections.
Demonstrate proposed solutions through real-world pilots in at least two different urban environments, covering various types of goods and considering reverse logistics systems.
Explore and evaluate the environmental, social, and economic impacts of circular economy approaches, particularly the potential of reverse logistics systems.
Propose policy recommendations and guidelines, in collaboration with local authorities, to support cities in designing enabling regulatory frameworks and market incentives.
Provide policy recommendations to facilitate the adoption of modular loading units and the integration of sustainable logistics measures into broader urban circular economy strategies.

Collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform, through the CIVITAS initiative, and the CCRI is essential. Proposals should include provisions for activities and resources to support clustering and cooperation with these initiatives. Active collaboration among selected projects is expected for dissemination, evaluation, and coordination, with strategies to promote results and lessons learned across relevant websites.

The general conditions for this call include:

Admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, as described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes and Part B of the Application Form.
Eligible countries, as described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries.
Other eligibility conditions, including the participation of at least three cities (represented by a local authority or entity with consent) from different Member States or Associated Countries, with at least one city being among the 112 cities selected for the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities.
Financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds, as described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Submission and evaluation processes, as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement, as described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
Legal and financial setup of the grants, with grants linked to action HORIZON-MISS-2021-CIT-02-03 and collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform being essential. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Specific conditions indicate that no specific conditions apply beyond the general conditions.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreements are available in the Submission System, including the standard application form (HE RIA, IA), evaluation form templates (HE RIA, IA), HE Programme Guide, Lump Sum MGA, detailed budget table (HE LS), and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, decision authorizing the use of lump sum contributions, rules for legal entity validation, and the EU Grants AGA.

The call also provides information on partner search announcements, submission system opening, topic Q&As, and general FAQ, along with support resources such as the Online Manual, Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, Research Enquiry Service, National Contact Points (NCPs), Enterprise Europe Network, IT Helpdesk, European IPR Helpdesk, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk, and the European Charter for Researchers.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to foster innovative projects that address the growing challenges of urban logistics by promoting circular economy principles, reducing waste, and improving resource efficiency. It seeks to create collaborative solutions involving cities, logistics providers, retailers, and citizens, leveraging digital technologies and policy recommendations to achieve sustainable and climate-neutral urban environments. The call emphasizes the importance of collaboration with key EU initiatives and platforms to maximize impact and dissemination of project results.

Find a Consultant to Support You

Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include cities represented by a local authority or by an entity with explicit consent from the local authority, from a Member State or Associated Country. A consortium is required.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) and HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Pre-commercial Procurement (HORIZON-PCP). The Model Grant Agreement (MGA) is a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS].

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The minimum requirement is at least three cities, each from a different Member State or Associated Country, participating as beneficiaries.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes Member States and Associated Countries. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Target Sector: The target sectors are circular economy, freight transport, urban logistics, climate, environment, ICT (Internet of Things, edge computing, Artificial Intelligence, data-driven collaboration platforms), and policy recommendations.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is open to Member States and Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is demonstration, validation, and development, as the projects are expected to design, develop, and demonstrate solutions in real-world pilots.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary by topic:
HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-01: around €7,000,000 (3 grants)
HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-02: around €5,000,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-03: around €9,000,000 (2 grants)
HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-05: €7,000,000 to €12,000,000 (3 grants)
HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-CCRI-04: around €7,500,000 (3 grants)

Application Type: The application type is a single-stage call.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: There is a single stage for application.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is provided.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding requirements are not explicitly mentioned.

Summary: This opportunity is a Horizon Europe call focused on "Advancing circular logistics solutions in cities." It aims to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy in the freight transport sector and urban logistics value chain. The call encourages projects that develop and demonstrate innovative, modular, reusable, and recyclable packaging and loading units, supported by digital tools and systems for tracking and optimization. A key requirement is the participation of at least three cities from different Member States or Associated Countries, with at least one being among the 112 cities selected for the EU Mission on Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities. Projects should engage urban stakeholders, conduct real-world pilots, evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of circular economy approaches, and propose policy recommendations for cities and regions. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process is a single-stage submission. Collaboration with the Cities Mission Platform and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) is essential. The call is structured into several topics with varying budgets and expected outcomes, ranging from innovation actions to coordination and support actions and pre-commercial procurement.

Short Summary

Impact
Accelerate the transition towards a circular economy in freight transport and urban logistics, addressing challenges related to packaging waste and inefficiencies in freight transport.
Applicant
Local authorities, private logistics operators, research institutions, technology providers, and civil society organizations with expertise in urban logistics and circular economy.
Developments
Projects focused on developing and demonstrating innovative, modular, reusable, and recyclable packaging and loading units, supported by digital tools for optimization and tracking.
Applicant Type
Local authorities, private sector companies, research institutions, and civil society organizations.
Consortium
A consortium is required, with at least three cities from different Member States or Associated Countries participating as beneficiaries.
Funding Amount
€22.5 million total budget, with approximately €7.5 million available per project.
Countries
EU Member States, EEA countries, and Associated Countries, particularly those involved in the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission.
Industry
Circular economy, urban logistics, and climate action.

Update Log

No updates recorded yet.

Discover with AI

Let our intelligent agent help you find the perfect funding opportunities tailored to your needs.

Try AI Agent →

EU Grant Database

Explore European funding opportunities in our comprehensive, up-to-date collection.

Browse Database →

Stay Informed

Get notified when grants change, deadlines approach, or new opportunities match your interests.

Configure Notifications →

Track Your Favorites

Follow grants you're interested in and keep them organized in one place. Get updates on changes and deadlines.

Use the Follow button above ↑

Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call titled "Deploying Circular Systemic Solutions through Living Labs in Cities and Regions" arises under the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) with the primary aim of...

April 16th, 2026

Circular innovative advanced materials: facilitating the transition from design to markets (RIA) (Innovative Advanced Materials for the EU and Made in Europe partnerships)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call, identified as HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-05, focuses on "Circular innovative advanced materials: facilitating the transition from design to markets" and falls under the...

April 21st, 2026

Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage" aims to enhance urban manufacturing through the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative, supporting the Clean...

April 8th, 2027

Demonstration of zero emission coaches and buses in long distance operations (2ZERO Partnership)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe program is offering a funding call under the title "Demonstration of Zero Emission Coaches and Buses in Long Distance Operations" as part of the 2ZERO Partnership. It will open for...

April 14th, 2027

Improving circularity of multilayer flexible plastic food contact packaging

Call for ProposalForthcoming

This summary outlines the Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "Improving Circularity of Multilayer Flexible Plastic Food Contact Packaging" under the code HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01. The...

September 17th, 2026

Optimise the usage of resources in a circular economy (RIA) (Processes4Planet and Clean Steel partnerships)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The EU grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL4-2026-01-MAT-PROD-04 falls under Horizon Europe, specifically within the INDUSTRY pillar. It is classified as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) and...

April 21st, 2026

Open topic: Using the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call titled HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage is aimed at strengthening urban manufacturing through the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) to support the EU's...

April 16th, 2026

Increasing competitiveness and resilience of multimodal freight transport and logistics for competitive supply chains

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call under the title "Increasing competitiveness and resilience of multimodal freight transport and logistics for competitive supply chains" (HORIZON-CL5-2026-10-D6-06) aims to...

October 8th, 2026

Fast Track to Innovation for breakthroughs in the Chemical Industry Action Plan (Research and Innovation Action)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The EU Funding & Tenders Portal presents a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, specifically the INDUSTRY-FTRI (HORIZON-CL4-2027-06) initiative. This initiative is titled "Fast Track...

February 2nd, 2027

Introducing circular economy models in the construction sector, from buildings to city scale

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The HORIZON-MISS-2026-04-CIT-NEB-B4P-CCRI-03 grant opportunity focuses on introducing circular economy models within the construction sector, extending from individual buildings to city-wide...

October 8th, 2026

Integrating inland waterway transport in smart shipping and multimodal logistics chains

Call for ProposalOpen

The European Union is offering a grant opportunity under the Horizon Europe program, specifically focusing on the integration of inland waterway transport (IWT) within multimodal logistics chains....

January 20th, 2026

Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic)

Call for ProposalForthcoming

The Horizon Europe call titled "Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions" falls under the initiative HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage. It aims to foster...

April 8th, 2027