The 2026-2027 Work Programme embeds circular principles across high-impact sectors and value chains. Cluster 6 topics target circularity challenges related to plastics and food contact packaging, textiles and blended post-consumer waste, consumer electronics, construction materials, footwear, and critical raw materials. They also support the development of advanced and biotech-enabled recycling technologies, and build capacity for repair, refurbishment, and lifecycle extension.

In parallel, several CCRI-linked topics focus on deploying circular systemic solutions in cities and regions, strengthening urban manufacturing, and driving circular approaches in buildings, urban logistics, and wastewater management.

The CCRI continues to play a central role in driving place-based innovation and supporting local circular transitions. The initiative anchors EU policy objectives in real-world contexts by enabling cities and regions to experiment, scale-tested solutions, and enhance policy readiness.

The 2026–2027 Work Programme builds on these efforts and reinforces synergies with other major initiatives, including the New European Bauhaus, Built4People Partnership, the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission, and the Adaptation to Climate Change Mission.

Circularity features prominently in several major cross-cluster topics. Notably:

• Joint CCRI–Cities Mission topics focus on circular construction, mobility and logistics, and wastewater systems across Clusters 5 and 6.
• The Clean Industrial Deal horizontal call under Clusters 4 and 5 supports clean technologies and the decarbonisation of energy-intensive industries, with circularity as a key enabler.

Several topics directly involve or relate to CCRI:

CCRI-related topics (under Cluster 6))

• HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage / HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage: Deploying circular systemic solutions through living labs in cities and regions.
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-04: Demonstrating and deploying innovative collection, sorting-for-reuse and repair systems for textiles at city/region level.
• HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage / HORIZON-CL6-2027-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage: Using CCRI to strengthen urban manufacturing in support of the Clean Industrial Deal.

Joint CCRI–Missions topics

• HORIZON-MISS-2027-04-CIT-CCRI-04: Advancing circular logistics solutions in cities.
• HORIZON-MISS-2026-04-CIT-NEB-B4P-CCRI-03: Introducing circular economy models in the construction sector, from buildings to city scale.
• HORIZON-MISS-2027-07-CLIMA-CIT-CCRI-02: Deploying innovative wastewater management, treatment and valorisation solutions in European cities and regions in the context of climate change.

These topics complement a broader set of circularity-related calls addressing packaging, plastics, textiles, electronics, construction, footwear, critical raw materials, and water systems.

To support applicants, the European Commission will host several Horizon Europe 2026 Info Days and a brokerage event covering Cluster 6, CCRI-related/CE-related and Mission-related topics.

• More information on the 2026 Info Days: CCRI in Cluster 6 and CCRI with EU Missions.

• Registration for the main brokerage and networking sessions is open. 

These events are an excellent opportunity for cities, regions, and their ecosystem stakeholders to explore funding options, connect with potential partners, and strengthen project ideas aligned with the new EU circular economy priorities.