Reconstructing areas affected by conflicts: the role of the bio-based solutions

The EU grant opportunity titled HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-13 focuses on leveraging bio-based solutions for the reconstruction of areas affected by conflicts, aligning with the EU's sustainability objectives. It falls under Horizon Europe's Cluster 6, aimed at promoting research and innovation actions (RIA) with a single-stage application process. The call's opening date is May 6, 2025, and the submission deadline is September 17, 2025, with an indicative budget of 8 million EUR expected to fund around two grants.

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and public-private partnerships. The grant supports collaborative projects, necessitating a consortium of at least three independent entities from different EU or associated countries. Geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU member states and associated countries, with a significant emphasis on post-conflict areas like Ukraine.

The target sectors for this grant encompass bioeconomy, environmental engineering, biotechnology, and sustainable reconstruction. The proposals should develop practical solutions that advance ecological and socio-economic recovery through bio-based innovations such as biotechnology and nature-based solutions.

The project's expected outcomes include enhanced mapping of local needs, sustainable bio-based solution uptake, and broader community engagement in restoration efforts, promoting the "build back better and greener" concept. The scope also includes strategies for restoring and renaturing destroyed areas while considering the circular use of biomass and local valorization of biological resources.

Financial support comes in the form of a lump sum grant, which covers eligible costs without requiring co-funding. The success rates are not explicitly mentioned but typically range between 10% to 39%, reflecting Horizon Europe’s competitive funding model.

International cooperation is encouraged, and the application process spans a single stage where full proposals must be submitted by the deadline. The call aims to contribute to the EU's Green Deal objectives and global commitments on biodiversity and climate change, supporting innovative and sustainable approaches to reconstruction in conflict-affected areas.

This EU grant opportunity focuses on reconstructing areas affected by conflicts using bio-based and nature-based solutions. It falls under the Horizon Europe Programme, specifically Cluster 6, and is a single-stage call. The call, HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-13, is for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] model grant agreement. The opening date is May 6, 2025, and the deadline is September 17, 2025, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The indicative budget for this specific topic is 8,000,000 EUR, and it is expected that around 2 grants will be awarded.

The expected outcomes of successful proposals include: advanced mapping and assessment of local problems and needs, and the opportunities and synergies of both bio-based innovation and of nature-based solutions, for the reconstruction of areas affected by conflict; enhanced and more rapidly accessible uptake and community co-creation of more sustainable bio-based solutions, aimed at restoration efforts; promotion of the ‘build back better and greener’ concept, at all government levels and by different stakeholders, contributing to climate adaptation; enhanced understanding and engagement of the policymakers and society stakeholders of the role of bio-based innovation, at relief efforts, underpinned by principles of scientific excellence, sustainability, circularity and inclusiveness.

The scope of the action involves developing practical solutions for reconstruction efforts and strategies for restoring and ‘renaturing’ destroyed areas. This should be made possible by bio-based innovation, including biotechnology, digital solutions, or bio-based construction materials. The action should consider the circular and cascading use of biomass principles, local valorisation of underutilised biological residues, and nature-based solutions for their potential for bringing back biodiversity and restoring areas degraded or destroyed by conflicts. Overall, the action should promote more sustainable and environmentally-friendly management of biological resources. The aspect of disaster risk reduction can also be included, if relevant. The potential use of bio-based innovation and nature-based solutions and their interplay in the humanitarian relief sphere and preparing for the deployment of concrete and human-centric applications is strongly encouraged. The higher sustainability of circular bio-based materials should be confirmed by the LCA approach, as much as possible.

Synergies with ongoing projects are encouraged, such as those funded under topics HORIZON-CL6-2023-CIRCBIO-01-06: Bio-based solutions for humanitarian applications or HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-05: Revitalisation of European local (rural/peri-urban) communities with innovative bio-based business models and social innovation, upcoming topics (e.g. HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-03: Environmental biotechnology applications in service of restoration of polluted ecosystems, as well as with the actions supported under the New European Bauhaus (NEB) Facility. In addition, synergies with the EU Mission on Climate-neutral and Smart Cities, and with LIFE projects, are encouraged, notably the ones which contributed to the Ukraine Green Recovery Conference.

Proposals should include a task dedicated to sharing methodologies and findings with projects funded under this topic and with similar recent or ongoing projects. Proposals should take into account the findings of the Global Resources Outlook 2024 of the International Resource Panel. Social Sciences and Humanities aspects, including gender dimension, social innovation are to be covered, to ensure an inclusive engagement of all key stakeholders. The multi-actor approach (MAA) is encouraged. The action will provide recommendations to policymakers and EU and international relief organisations, to develop any replication actions, including in the context of the possible EU accession process, if relevant. International cooperation is strongly encouraged. The JRC may provide support in research activities related the application of circular and bio-based materials in the rapid rebuilding of conflict-affected regions.

The general conditions for this grant include: Admissibility Conditions, which cover the proposal page limit 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 state that the Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are detailed in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is also described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025), as described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA) information includes: Application form templates available in the Submission System, the Standard application form (HE RIA, IA), Evaluation form templates, the HE Programme Guide, the Lump Sum MGA, Call-specific instructions, Detailed budget table (HE LS), and Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?". Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, HE Main Work Programme 2025 – 14. General Annexes, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Horizon Europe program, focusing on research and innovation actions to address the reconstruction of conflict-affected areas. It emphasizes the use of bio-based and nature-based solutions to promote sustainable and environmentally friendly restoration. The goal is to develop practical solutions, strategies, and recommendations for policymakers and relief organizations, contributing to the "build back better and greener" concept and aligning with EU's Green Deal and climate adaptation strategies. The call encourages international cooperation and synergies with existing projects, and it provides a lump sum grant for eligible costs.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include a variety of entities such as research organizations, universities, SMEs, large enterprises, and other relevant stakeholders involved in bio-based innovation, nature-based solutions, and reconstruction efforts. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding. The multi-actor approach (MAA) is encouraged, suggesting a broad range of stakeholders can be involved.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily grant, specifically HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Programme Cofund Actions (HORIZON-COFUND) under the Horizon Europe Programme. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity appears to require a consortium, as the Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding, and the multi-actor approach (MAA) is encouraged. Partner search announcements are available, suggesting that applicants are expected to form consortia.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The primary geographic eligibility appears to be EU member states and associated countries. However, the text mentions that 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. International cooperation is strongly encouraged, suggesting some level of international eligibility.

Target Sector: The program targets several interconnected sectors: bioeconomy, environment, climate adaptation, biotechnology, digital solutions, construction, circular economy, agriculture, social innovation, and humanitarian aid. It focuses on bio-based and nature-based solutions for reconstruction and restoration efforts in conflict-affected areas.

Mentioned Countries: Russia, Ukraine, Gaza.

Project Stage: The project stage targets the development of practical solutions, reconstruction efforts, and strategies for restoring and ‘renaturing’ destroyed areas. This suggests a focus on development, demonstration, and potentially early stages of commercialization or implementation.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action (RIA, IA, CSA, COFUND). The indicative budget for each topic ranges from EUR 2,000,000 to EUR 30,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic varies from 1 to 3, except for HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-01 and HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-15 which are HORIZON-COFUND actions and have an indicative number of grants equal to 1 but a much higher contribution.

Application Type: The application type is an open call with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may provide support in research activities.

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants and the budget overview can be used to estimate the competitiveness of each topic.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding may be required for HORIZON-COFUND actions, but this is not explicitly stated for all actions.

Summary: This Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call focuses on "Reconstructing areas affected by conflicts: the role of the bio-based solutions." It aims to support projects that develop and implement practical, bio-based, and nature-based solutions for the reconstruction and restoration of areas damaged by conflict, with a strong emphasis on sustainability, circularity, and climate adaptation. The call encourages international cooperation and the involvement of a wide range of stakeholders, including policymakers, researchers, businesses, and local communities. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the indicative budget for each topic varies, with a single-stage application process and a deadline of September 17, 2025. The call is structured around several specific topics related to biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution, each with its own budget and expected outcomes. The overall goal is to contribute to the EU's Green Deal objectives and global commitments on biodiversity and climate change by promoting innovative and sustainable approaches to reconstruction in conflict-affected regions.