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

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 promoting a transition to a circular economy. The call, designated as HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01, encourages the establishment and operation of living labs that involve multiple stakeholders including public authorities, citizens, research bodies, industries, and SMEs to collaboratively develop and implement circular solutions. The initiative targets the application of circular economy principles at local and regional levels, whereby projects are expected to validate, test, and optimize innovative circular solutions within selected urban environments. Such projects will facilitate knowledge transfer and replication opportunities across different regions in Europe, fostering enhanced collaboration among all involved parties. Eligible applicants primarily include public local and regional authorities from EU Member States and Associated Countries. This call necessitates a consortium approach, requiring at least five distinct living labs connected to regional or local authorities, with a minimum of two from different demonstration sites and three from various replication sites. Importantly, at least one replication site must be located in a Horizon Europe widening country, which includes Outermost Regions, ensuring that solutions reach underserved areas. The financial support takes form as lump-sum grants categorized under Horizon Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA). The total budget allocated for this opportunity is €10 million, with funding caps set at €5 million per grant. The application process unfolds in two stages. The initial stage requires submission of an outline proposal, capped at ten pages, due by April 16, 2026, evaluated based on excellence and impact criteria. Successful applicants will then progress to the full proposal stage, which must be submitted by September 23, 2026, encompassing a comprehensive evaluation against all award criteria. While the specific success rates for this call are not detailed, historical data from comparable calls suggest a competitive landscape, potentially yielding a success rate of between 10% to 39%. The call aligns with broader European objectives including the European Green Deal and the EU's climate and sustainability strategies. It encourages proposals that adopt a multi-actor approach and emphasize sustainability and replicability, with a focus on integrating local contexts into solutions. The initiative is structured to support not only the implementation but also the long-term sustainability and scaling of circular economy practices throughout Europe. The anticipated results from funded projects include increased circularity, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthened partnerships across diverse sectors, underlining the importance of collaboration in addressing pressing environmental challenges. Ultimately, this funding opportunity is poised to significantly advance circular economy initiatives across Europe through collaborative, place-based innovation, fostering resilient and competitive cities and regions. The official call is set to open on February 12, 2026.

This is a Horizon Europe call focused on "Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions," as part of the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). The call aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy at the local and regional levels by supporting the setup and operation of living labs. These living labs should involve a wide range of stakeholders, including public authorities, citizens, research institutions, industries, and SMEs, to co-create and implement circular solutions.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this call include:Increased circularity and reduced emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants, widespread deployment of circular systemic solutions, and enhanced collaboration and knowledge transfer among stakeholders.

The scope of the call includes:Supporting the validation, testing, and optimization of innovative circular systemic solutions in selected cities and regions, facilitating knowledge and experience transfer for replication across Europe, and establishing synergies with other relevant circular economy initiatives.

Key requirements for proposals include:

The consortium must include at least five distinct 'living labs' linked to regional or local authorities, with at least two from different demonstration sites and three from different replication sites. One of the three replication sites must be located in a Horizon Europe widening country, including Outermost Regions. Proposals must apply a multi-actor approach.

The call does not target specific technologies or industrial sectors but supports a place-based approach, meaning proposals should select their targeted sectors and/or value chains based on local/regional contexts and circular potentials.

Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

The call is a two-stage process with the following planned dates:

Opening date:12 February 2026

Deadline for the first stage:16 April 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time

Deadline for the second stage:23 September 2026, 17:00:00 Brussels time

The indicative number of grants and budget allocation for each topic are as follows:

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:Budget €14,000,000, around €7,000,000 per grant, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:Budget €12,000,000, around €3,000,000 per grant, 4 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage HORIZON Innovation Actions:Budget €10,000,000, around €5,000,000 per grant, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:Budget €18,000,000, around €6,000,000 per grant, 3 grants

HORIZON-CL6 HORIZON Innovation Actions:Budget €10,000,000, around €5,000,000 per grant, 2 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage HORIZON Innovation Actions:Budget €18,000,000, around €6,000,000 per grant, 3 grants

HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions:Budget €23,000,000, 7,000,000 to €8,000,000 per grant, 3 grants

The call encourages linkages with initiatives such as the Regional Innovation Valleys, the New European Bauhaus, the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, and the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission.

Applicants are advised to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and the FAQ section for detailed guidance on proposal submission, evaluation, and grant management. National Contact Points (NCPs) and the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) are available to provide support and assistance.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call is a funding opportunity for public and private entities to establish and operate living labs in cities and regions across Europe, with the aim of accelerating the transition to a circular economy. The call emphasizes the importance of multi-stakeholder collaboration, place-based solutions, and knowledge transfer to achieve widespread deployment of circular systemic solutions. Successful projects are expected to contribute to increased circularity, reduced emissions, and enhanced collaboration in addressing environmental challenges.

Eligible Applicant Types:Public local and regional authorities (or their groupings) in EU Member States and Associated Countries, citizens, policymakers, research bodies, academia, industries, start-ups and SMEs, social economy entities and financial intermediaries. The consortium must include at least five distinct ‘living labs’ linked to regional or local authorities, together with their public and/or private ecosystem actors.

Funding Type:Grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant under HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA).

Consortium Requirement:Consortium. At least five distinct ‘living labs’ must be part of the consortium as beneficiaries, with at least two from different demonstration sites and three from different replication sites.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):EU Member States, Associated Countries, and Horizon Europe widening countries (including Outermost Regions) for at least one of the replication labs. 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:Circular economy, bioeconomy, environment, climate, innovation, cities and regions, and related sectors. The topic does not target specific technologies or industrial sectors but supports a place-based approach, allowing proposals to select their targeted sector(s) and/or value chain(s) based on local/regional contexts and circular potentials.

Mentioned Countries:EU Member States, Associated Countries, Horizon Europe widening countries (including Outermost Regions).

Project Stage:Demonstration, deployment, and upscaling. The focus is on moving from demonstration to further deployment and upscaling through the setup of well-functioning real-life innovation ecosystems, such as living labs.

Funding Amount:Variable. For the topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage, the budget is €14,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €7,000,000 and 2 grants. For the topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage, the budget is €12,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €3,000,000 and 4 grants. For the topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage, the budget is €10,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €5,000,000 and 2 grants. For the topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage, the budget is €18,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €6,000,000 and 3 grants. For the topic HORIZON-CL6, the budget is €10,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €5,000,000 and 2 grants. For the topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage, the budget is €18,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of around €6,000,000 and 3 grants. For the topic HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage, the budget is €23,000,000 with an indicative grant amount of 7,000,000 to €8,000,000 and 3 grants.

Application Type:Two-stage open call.

Nature of Support:Money, in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages:2

Success Rates:Not specified, but the indicative number of grants is provided for each topic.

Co-funding Requirement:Not explicitly stated, but applicants should include appropriate resources in their proposals.

This opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program and supports the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). It aims to foster the deployment of circular systemic solutions through the establishment of living labs in cities and regions across the EU and associated countries. The initiative targets public and private entities, including local and regional authorities, research institutions, businesses, and citizens, encouraging them to collaborate in real-life innovation ecosystems. Projects should validate, test, and optimize innovative circular solutions, focusing on knowledge transfer and replication across Europe. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and proposals must involve a consortium of at least five distinct living labs, with specific requirements for demonstration and replication sites, including one in a Horizon Europe widening country. The initiative contributes to the European Green Deal, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the EU bioeconomy strategy, promoting place-based innovation for more circular, resilient, and competitive cities and regions. The application process is a two-stage process, with the submission system planned to open on February 12, 2026. The deadline for the first stage is April 16, 2026, and for the second stage, it is September 23, 2026.