Development and testing of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes (EPR) within the priority Circular Economy Action Plan value chains

This EU funding opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically targeting the development and testing of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes within prioritized circular economy value chains. Open to a diverse range of applicants such as SMEs, research institutes, universities, public-private partnerships, local authorities, and NGOs, the call emphasizes collaborative efforts to facilitate sustainable practices across various sectors.

The funding type is specifically a grant under the Horizon Innovation Action framework. A consortium of multiple stakeholders is required to effectively implement projects that could include industry participants, consumer organizations, and researchers. Geographically, the funding is accessible to EU member states, Associated Countries, and occasionally may consider contributors from outside these regions, focusing on global implications of EPR schemes.

Target sectors for the funding include circular economy, waste management, and specific product value chains like electronics, textiles, construction materials, packaging, and plastics. The call particularly recognizes the role of social sciences and humanities disciplines in evaluating the implications of EPR schemes.

The project stage focuses on developing operational solutions meant for large-scale implementation of EPR systems. Funding amounts for these projects are projected to be around €1 million to €5 million. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline for submission set for September 17, 2025.

While success rates for applications vary, they are typically competitive. The grant also likely involves a co-funding requirement, common in Horizon Europe initiatives, although this detail is not explicitly confirmed.

The overarching aim of this call is to align with the European Green Deal and support climate neutrality targets by promoting sustainability, reducing waste, and fostering a circular economy through innovative, collaborative projects that consider both local and global impacts.

This EU funding opportunity focuses on supporting the implementation of the European Green Deal and circular economy initiatives by improving circularity in product value chains and waste management systems. Successful proposals should contribute to making sustainable products the norm, achieving climate neutrality, and halting biodiversity loss. The focus is on resource-intensive sectors like textiles, plastics, packaging, electronics, furniture, and construction products.

The core of the funding revolves around Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. These schemes aim to make producers responsible for the entire lifecycle of their products, from design to end-of-life management, including waste collection and recycling. The goal is to incentivize producers, including SMEs, to design products with circularity and sustainability in mind.

Research and Innovation (R&I) activities within proposals should:

Develop, test, and demonstrate operational solutions for large-scale implementation of EPR schemes, considering eco-modulation of EPR fees for construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses, and carpets.

Develop and test novel circular business models and solutions linked to EPR schemes, supported by ecodesign requirements.

Assess the economic, environmental, and social cost-benefits of implementing EPR schemes for stakeholders, especially consumers and SMEs.

Develop and test digital technologies like digital product passports and tracking applications to collect evidence and facilitate information exchange between national EPR schemes.

Provide policy recommendations for EPR schemes that incentivize waste prevention, reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, and recycling, and facilitate cross-border cooperation.

Proposals should consider the global perspective of EPR schemes, including value chains outside the EU and online platforms. Projects should involve all relevant stakeholders, including industry, local authorities, waste management operators, SMEs, PROs, consumer organizations, researchers, and NGOs. The involvement of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines, particularly economics and sociology, is crucial. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may offer expertise and participate in project advisory boards.

There are several specific funding topics under the HORIZON-CL6-2025-01 call, each with its own budget and focus:

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-01: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, with a budget of EUR 20,000,000 in 2025, 2026 and 2027.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-02: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a budget of EUR 4,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 24,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 22,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-05: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 18,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-06: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 16,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-07: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 12,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-08: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 14,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-09: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 6,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-10: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 11,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-01: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 10,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-02: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-04: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 10,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-05: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 12,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-06: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-07: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 18,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-08: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 11,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-09: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 10,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-10: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a budget of EUR 2,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-11: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 11,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-12: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a budget of EUR 2,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-13: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-14: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 12,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-15: HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions, with a budget of EUR 30,000,000 in 2025 and 2026 and EUR 10,000,000 in 2027.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 10,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02: HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions, with a budget of EUR 2,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 6,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-05: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 12,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-06: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 8,000,000.

HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-07: HORIZON Innovation Actions, with a budget of EUR 12,000,000.

The opening date for these calls is May 6, 2025, and the deadline for submissions is September 17, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The indicative number of grants varies per topic.

This funding opportunity is about fostering a circular economy in the EU by supporting projects that develop and implement effective Extended Producer Responsibility schemes. It aims to address critical circularity gaps in key product value chains, promote sustainable product design, and reduce waste and pollution, ultimately contributing to the EU's Green Deal objectives. The call encourages collaboration among diverse stakeholders and the use of innovative digital technologies to track products and materials, ensuring a more sustainable and resource-efficient future.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include industry members, local authorities, waste management operators, SMEs, economic operators, producer responsible organisations (PROs), consumer organisations, researchers, and NGOs. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe program.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Projects should bring together all relevant stakeholders active in the selected product value chains.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes the EU and Associated Countries. The proposals should also consider the global perspective within the national EPR schemes, as frequently the value chains mentioned above are established at a global scale and producers may be situated outside of the EU.

Target Sector: The target sectors are circular economy, environment, waste management, and specific product value chains including construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses, carpets, textiles, plastics, packaging, and electronics. It also requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines, namely economics and sociology.

Mentioned Countries: EU, Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is development, testing, and demonstration of operational solutions for large scale implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

Funding Amount: The funding amount is around 5,000,000 EUR per project, as the total budget is 10,000,000 EUR and the indicative number of grants is 2.

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

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

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants and the budget allocated can provide an idea of the competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-04, focuses on the development and testing of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes within the priority Circular Economy Action Plan value chains. The goal is to improve circularity, waste management, and the overall sustainability of products in the EU and Associated Countries. The call is open to a wide range of applicants, including industry members, local authorities, waste management operators, SMEs, researchers, and NGOs, who are expected to form a consortium. The projects should develop and demonstrate operational solutions for large-scale implementation of EPR schemes, considering eco-modulation of EPR fees for product value chains like construction, ICT, furniture, mattresses, and carpets. The projects should also develop novel circular business models, assess the cost-benefits of EPR schemes, and test digital technologies to facilitate producers’ registration and information exchange. The call emphasizes the importance of considering the global perspective of EPR schemes and the contribution of social sciences and humanities disciplines. The funding is provided as a grant, with approximately 5,000,000 EUR allocated per project. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 17, 2025. This call aims to support the European Green Deal and the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target by promoting sustainable products and reducing waste.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include industry members, local authorities, waste management operators, SMEs, economic operators, producer responsible organisations (PROs), consumer organisations, researchers, and NGOs. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) under the Horizon Europe program. Additional funding opportunities are available under HORIZON-COFUND and HORIZON-RIA.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Projects should bring together all relevant stakeholders active in the selected product value chains.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes the EU 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. Proposals should also consider the global perspective within the national EPR schemes, as frequently the value chains mentioned above are established at a global scale and producers may be situated outside of the EU.

Target Sector: The target sectors are circular economy, environment, waste management, and specific product value chains including construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses, carpets, textiles, plastics, packaging, and electronics. It also requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines, namely economics and sociology. Additional topics target biodiversity and zero pollution.

Mentioned Countries: EU, Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage is development, testing, and demonstration of operational solutions for large scale implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action:
HORIZON-COFUND: 10,000,000 EUR to 70,000,000 EUR
HORIZON-CSA: 2,000,000 EUR to 4,000,000 EUR
HORIZON-RIA: 3,000,000 EUR to 12,000,000 EUR
HORIZON-IA: 5,000,000 EUR to 9,000,000 EUR

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

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

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants and the budget allocated can provide an idea of the competitiveness.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement, except for HORIZON-COFUND actions which inherently involve co-funding.

Summary:

The Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Call 01 (HORIZON-CL6-2025-01) encompasses a range of funding opportunities focused on biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution. These calls aim to support the European Green Deal and the EU’s 2050 climate neutrality target by promoting sustainable practices, reducing waste, and improving the overall environmental impact of various sectors. The calls are open to a wide range of applicants from the EU and Associated Countries, including industry members, local authorities, waste management operators, SMEs, researchers, and NGOs, who are expected to form consortia. The funding is provided as grants, with varying amounts depending on the specific topic and type of action. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of September 17, 2025.

The specific topics include:

HORIZON-COFUND actions for biodiversity and circular bioeconomy, requiring co-funding.
HORIZON-CSA actions for coordination and support in biodiversity and zero pollution.
HORIZON-RIA actions for research and innovation in biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution.
HORIZON-IA actions for innovation in circular bioeconomy and zero pollution, focusing on developing and testing operational solutions.

These calls aim to address critical environmental challenges and promote sustainable practices across various sectors, contributing to the EU’s broader environmental and climate goals.