Innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through collection, sorting and recycling
Overview
Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large companies, local authorities, waste management operators, consumer organizations, and relevant NGOs. Proposals are encouraged to create consortia that include a diverse range of stakeholders active in the footwear value chain, such as manufacturers, retailers, waste processors, and researchers.
This opportunity operates under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) framework, utilizing a lump sum funding model. The total budget for this call is €9 million, with individual project grants ranging from €4 million to €5 million. A total of approximately two grants are expected to be awarded. The application process is structured as a single-stage submission, with a deadline for proposals set for September 22, 2027.
The scope of this initiative emphasizes the development, validation, and demonstration of new methods and technologies for enhancing circularity in footwear waste management. Proposed projects should focus on the challenges and benefits of circularity, assessing new collection and recycling methods, and exploring innovative business models. Special attention should be given to managing hazardous chemicals and reducing microplastics in footwear waste.
The program requires that successful proposals contribute to improved stakeholder understanding of circularity, provide evidence-based solutions for better end-of-life footwear management, and ensure consumers have access to effective disposal methods. The competitive nature of the grant suggests a typical success rate between 10 to 25%.
While the proposal does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement, Horizon Europe generally incorporates a standard of 25% co-funding, which may necessitate securing additional financial contributions from other sources.
In summary, this call aims to significantly enhance the circular economy within the footwear sector by engaging a wide array of stakeholders to innovate and implement sustainable practices for handling end-of-life footwear, thereby potentially minimizing environmental impacts and advancing overall sustainability efforts in line with EU goals.
Detail
The expected outcomes of the projects should contribute to: improved understanding among stakeholders (consumers, economic and social economy operators, and waste managers) regarding the challenges and benefits of circularity in the footwear industry; provision of evidence-based, innovative, cost-effective, and scalable solutions to economic operators and waste managers for better management of end-of-life footwear, valorizing waste materials and increasing value chain circularity; and access for consumers to user-friendly solutions for proper disposal of end-of-life footwear, reducing landfill, improving sustainability, and supporting informed choices that contribute to climate change mitigation.
The scope of this topic is to improve the circularity of the footwear value chain and reduce the environmental footprint of end-of-life post-consumer footwear, promoting a regenerative and restorative approach. Proposals should assess challenges and benefits of circularity in footwear, develop and test new collection, sorting, and recycling methods (integrating digital tools like AI and Digital Product Passports), explore innovative business models for a sustainable footwear value chain, and develop solutions for collaboration among stakeholders, including strategies for managing hazardous chemicals and microplastics in footwear waste. Successful proposals should involve industry representatives, SMEs, brand owners, producers, retailers, local authorities, waste managers, economic operators, consumer organizations, researchers, and NGOs.
This initiative supports EU policies like the European Green Deal, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, the zero pollution action plan, the Waste Framework Directive, the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for textiles, the Clean Industrial Deal, and the EU Circular Economy Act. It also requires the effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines.
General conditions for admissibility include 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 are described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries outlined in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other eligible conditions are described in Annex B, while financial and operational capacity and exclusion criteria are in Annex C. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D, and submission/evaluation processes are in Annex F and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is in Annex F. Legal and financial aspects are governed by a lump sum approach as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021, with eligible costs described in Annex G. Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme.
Application and evaluation forms, along with the Model Grant Agreement (MGA), are available in the Submission System, including the Standard Application Form (HE RIA, IA) and Standard Evaluation Form (HE RIA, IA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide and Lump Sum MGA. Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 (General Introduction, Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, and General Annexes), the HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, the Decision authorizing the use of lump sum contributions, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, the EU Grants AGA, the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and related Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement.
The budget overview lists various topics under Call 01 - single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01), including BIODIV, CIRCBIO, and ZEROPOLLUTION, with their respective action types (RIA, CSA, IA), budgets (ranging from 3,000,000 EUR to 24,000,000 EUR), opening and deadline dates (2027-04-20 and 2027-09-22), contributions, and indicative number of grants.
Partner search announcements are available for collaboration, and the submission system will open on the date stated in the topic header. General FAQs and support are available through 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, the European Charter for Researchers, and Partner Search tools.
In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to foster innovative solutions for the circularity of end-of-life footwear, addressing environmental and economic challenges through research, development, and collaboration among various stakeholders. It seeks to align with EU's Green Deal and circular economy objectives, promoting sustainable practices and reducing the environmental footprint of the footwear industry. The call encourages proposals that integrate digital tools, explore new business models, and involve SSH expertise to enhance societal impact. Funding is provided as a lump sum, and detailed guidance is available through various documents and support services.
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Breakdown
Funding Type: The funding type for this opportunity is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) or a HORIZON Innovation Action (HORIZON-IA) or a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) under the Horizon Europe Programme. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.
Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium of multiple applicants. Successful proposals should bring together all relevant stakeholders active in the footwear value chain.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU and non-EU/non-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 sector for this program is circular economy, environment, climate, and manufacturing, specifically focusing on the footwear industry. It also touches on textiles and waste management.
Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the opportunity is open to EU member states, associated countries, and potentially other non-EU countries as specified in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
Project Stage: The project stage includes development, testing, and demonstration, with an emphasis on developing and testing new methods and technologies for collection, sorting, preparation for reuse, and recycling.
Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from EUR 3,000,000 to EUR 24,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, typically between 1 and 3.
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 10 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 50000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-02 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 7 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 70000001
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-03 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 14 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 70000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 24 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 80000003
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 14 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 70000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 14 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 70000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-07 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 14 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 70000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-08 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-BIODIV-09 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 10 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 50000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 10 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 50000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 10 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 50000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-04 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 9 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 4000000 to 50000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-05 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 9 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 4000000 to 50000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-07 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 14 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 70000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-08 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-09 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-10 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 6 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000001
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 40000003
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 9 800 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 49000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions 12 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 60000002
HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-04 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions 3 000 000 Single-stage2027-04-20 2027-09-22 around 30000001
Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.
Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum 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 per topic is provided, allowing for an estimation of the competition level.
Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned in the text.
Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on fostering innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through improved collection, sorting, and recycling processes. The primary goal is to minimize the environmental impact of footwear waste by promoting a circular economy within the footwear industry. The call encourages collaborative projects that involve a wide range of stakeholders, including industry representatives, SMEs, research institutions, consumer organizations, and waste managers. Projects should aim to develop and test new methods and technologies for footwear waste management, explore innovative business models, and facilitate collaboration among stakeholders. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and applications are submitted through a single-stage process. The call supports the EU's broader environmental policies, such as the European Green Deal and the Circular Economy Action Plan, by addressing the specific challenges of footwear waste and promoting sustainable consumption patterns. The call is structured around several topics related to biodiversity, circular bio-based industries and zero pollution, each with its own budget and expected outcomes. The call aims to support Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products.
Short Summary
Impact The funding aims to foster innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through improved collection, sorting, and recycling processes, minimizing the environmental impact of footwear waste. | Impact | The funding aims to foster innovative circular solutions for end-of-life footwear through improved collection, sorting, and recycling processes, minimizing the environmental impact of footwear waste. |
Applicant The project requires expertise in circular economy, waste management, technological innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, involving diverse participants from the footwear value chain. | Applicant | The project requires expertise in circular economy, waste management, technological innovation, and stakeholder collaboration, involving diverse participants from the footwear value chain. |
Developments Activities will focus on developing and testing new methods and technologies for footwear waste management, exploring innovative business models, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders. | Developments | Activities will focus on developing and testing new methods and technologies for footwear waste management, exploring innovative business models, and facilitating collaboration among stakeholders. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for a broad range of applicants including research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, waste managers, local authorities, and NGOs across the EU/EEA region. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for a broad range of applicants including research institutions, SMEs, large enterprises, waste managers, local authorities, and NGOs across the EU/EEA region. |
Consortium Consortia are expected and encouraged, with proposals needing to bring together all relevant stakeholders active in the footwear value chain. | Consortium | Consortia are expected and encouraged, with proposals needing to bring together all relevant stakeholders active in the footwear value chain. |
Funding Amount Funding amounts range from €4,000,000 to €5,000,000 per project grant, with a total budget of €9,000,000 for approximately 2 expected grants. | Funding Amount | Funding amounts range from €4,000,000 to €5,000,000 per project grant, with a total budget of €9,000,000 for approximately 2 expected grants. |
Countries The funding is relevant for EU member states and associated countries, as it operates under Horizon Europe eligibility criteria. | Countries | The funding is relevant for EU member states and associated countries, as it operates under Horizon Europe eligibility criteria. |
Industry This funding targets the circular economy and bioeconomy sectors, specifically focusing on the footwear industry and waste valorization. | Industry | This funding targets the circular economy and bioeconomy sectors, specifically focusing on the footwear industry and waste valorization. |
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