Towards a Europe of Bioeconomy Places

The Horizon Europe grant opportunity titled "Towards a Europe of Bioeconomy Places" (HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06) is focused on transforming geographic areas into sustainable and circular bioeconomy hubs. This initiative is classified as a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) and offers a total budget of €12,000,000, with two grants expected at €6,000,000 each. The application period opens on April 20, 2027, and concludes on September 22, 2027.

Eligible applicants are required to form a consortium that utilizes a multi-actor approach, incorporating various stakeholders such as educational institutions, SMEs, industrial partners, local and regional authorities, labor unions, and civil society organizations. Importantly, at least one pilot site must be situated in Ukraine, highlighting the grant's commitment to fostering innovation in Eastern Europe.

The projects aim to develop and operationalize metrics for designating "Bioeconomy Places." This involves establishing pilot sites across multiple EU Member States or Associated Countries, conducting regional analyses, creating transformation plans that promote collaboration among stakeholders, and enhancing skills related to the bioeconomy. The focus sectors include the circular economy, food systems, sustainability, and rural development, all aligned with EU priorities such as the European Green Deal.

Successful proposals must set up a minimum of three pilot sites, analyze regional needs, and devise comprehensive plans to transition these areas into certified bioeconomy hubs. Training programs and capacity-building activities will also be integral to fostering skills and securing funding for sustainable projects.

The funding operates under a lump sum grant model, simplifying the financial management process for beneficiaries while maintaining accountability for project results. It is likely that co-funding will be expected, although specific rates are not detailed. With a competitive landscape and an estimated success rate between 10-39%, the initiative encourages collaboration and lessons learned from previous EU projects.

In summary, this grant opportunity presents significant financial support to develop bioeconomy solutions in a collaborative manner, emphasizing sustainability, community well-being, and cross-border synergies within the EU and associated countries.

This is a summary of a Horizon Europe grant opportunity focused on transitioning geographical areas into sustainable and circular "Bioeconomy Places". The call, HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-06, is a Horizon Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) with a lump sum grant type. The planned opening date is April 20, 2027, and the deadline is September 22, 2027, at 17:00:00 Brussels time. The total budget for the topic is 12,000,000 EUR, with an indicative grant amount of around 6,000,000 EUR, and an expected number of 2 grants.

The project aims to improve the attractiveness of regions by transitioning them into Bioeconomy Places, which should lead to increased investment in bio-based sectors, job creation, and improved well-being while reducing environmental and climate impacts. The projects should develop sustainable and qualified Bioeconomy Places based on environmental, social, and economic indicators, including awareness, skills, capacity building, food systems sustainability, and contributions to climate action and biodiversity.

The scope emphasizes the importance of local and regional contexts for developing bioeconomy solutions, given the local nature of biomass resources and the involvement of numerous micro-companies and SMEs. Bioeconomy Places are defined as geographically defined areas where bioeconomy solutions are used for sustainable prosperity and community well-being.

Proposals should develop definitions and benchmarks for qualifying a "Place" as a "Bioeconomy Place," building upon existing initiatives like Regional Innovation Valleys (RIVs) and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). These benchmarks should relate to environmental, social, and economic sustainability criteria, including biomass sustainability, climate mitigation, biodiversity protection, circularity, food systems, social fairness, and competitiveness.

The proposals should also set up at least three Bioeconomy Place pilot sites in different EU Member States or Associated Countries, with at least one pilot site located fully or partially in Ukraine. In these pilot sites, the proposals should:

1. Analyze needs, strengths, and opportunities, including infrastructure, value chains (biomass sourcing and industrial capacity mapping), consumer and civil society needs, skill readiness.
2. Devise a plan with commitments to transform the "Place" into a "Bioeconomy Place," based on the analysis and benchmarks developed. These plans should:
 * Foster multi-stakeholder partnerships with local actors, considering gender and inclusivity.
 * Establish synergies between urban, rural, and coastal areas to optimize resource flows and promote new business models, value chains, and jobs.
 * Develop training programs to enhance technical and entrepreneurial skills, including biotechnology and digital skills relevant to the bioeconomy.
 * Provide capacity-building for bioeconomy stakeholders on access to funding and capital and on how to prepare bankable projects.
 * Provide policy recommendations on deploying bioeconomy solutions ensuring circularity.

The multi-actor approach is mandatory, involving educational and employment institutions, industrial actors, unions, and local and regional authorities. Collaboration among pilot sites and with previously funded EU projects is encouraged.

Admissibility conditions, eligible countries, and financial and operational capacity are detailed in the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Eligible costs will be in the form of a lump sum. Application forms and model grant agreements are available in the Submission System. Additional documents include the Horizon Europe Work Programme, Programme Guide, Framework Programme, Specific Programme Decision, EU Financial Regulation, and guidance on lump sums.

In summary, this grant opportunity aims to foster the transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy by developing and implementing innovative bioeconomy solutions at the local and regional level. It requires a multi-actor approach, the establishment of pilot sites, and the development of definitions and benchmarks for Bioeconomy Places. The focus is on creating attractive, sustainable, and qualified Bioeconomy Places that contribute to environmental, social, and economic well-being.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated, but based on the description, they likely include educational institutions, employment institutions, industrial actors, unions, local and regional authorities, micro-companies, and SMEs. The multi-actor approach suggests a broad range of stakeholders are encouraged to participate.

Funding Type: The funding type is primarily a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the type of Model Grant Agreement (MGA) being a Lump Sum MGA. There are HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium, as proposals must implement the multi-actor approach and foster multi-stakeholder partnerships. The call encourages collaboration among pilot sites and projects, implying that multiple entities must be involved.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States and Associated Countries. At least three "Bioeconomy Place" pilot sites are expected to be located in at least three different EU Member States/Associated Countries. Also, at least one of the pilot sites should be located fully or partially in Ukraine. 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 is the bioeconomy, with a focus on circular bioeconomy, biomass, food systems, natural resources, agriculture, environment, and zero pollution. It also touches upon regional innovation, sustainable development, climate action, and biodiversity goals.

Mentioned Countries: Ukraine, EU Member States, Associated Countries.

Project Stage: The project stage appears to be focused on demonstration and validation, with an emphasis on setting up pilot sites and implementing plans to transform "Places" into "Bioeconomy Places". The call also supports research and innovation actions.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call, ranging from €3,000,000 to €24,000,000. The indicative number of grants per topic also varies, typically between 1 and 3.

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 involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants per topic suggests a competitive environment.

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

Summary: This Horizon Europe call, "Towards a Europe of Bioeconomy Places," aims to foster the transition to a sustainable and circular bioeconomy by developing and deploying innovative bioeconomy solutions at the local and regional levels. The call seeks proposals that will define and benchmark "Bioeconomy Places," set up pilot sites across EU Member States and Associated Countries (including Ukraine), and implement multi-actor partnerships to drive systemic change. The projects should contribute to improved attractiveness of places, increased investment in bio-based sectors, job creation, and overall well-being, while reducing environmental and climate impacts. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, with varying amounts depending on the specific topic, and the application process involves a single-stage submission. The call encourages collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and the advancement of findings from previously funded EU projects.