European Circular Bioeconomy Fund (ECBF)
Updated on 19.09.2023
The ECBF catalyses the transition towards a sustainable future by investing in innovative bio-based and circular ventures. The Fund is contributing to speeding up the shift from a fossil-based to a circular bio-based economy and achieving the European Green Deal goals to make Europe climate neutral by 2050.
Relevance for Circular Systemic Solutions
The ECBF actively finances growth companies in bioeconomy and bio-based circular economy with investment opportunities in circularity topics. Apart from companies, projects with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6-9 and some first significant commercial traction may also apply. With an indicative budget € 2.5 million to € 10 million, this means that public authorities (including local and regional authorities) can use this opportunity to finance a project that focuses either on developing and implementing the entire Circular Systemic Solution (around >5 million) or one of its specific components (<5 million) in the targeted domains.
Applicant criteria
The ECBF is open to all 27 EU Member States as well as countries associated with the EU’s Horizon 2020 programme. For TRL 6-9, the investment size is € 2.5 million to € 10 million. Commitment to environmental, social and governance criteria is a condition for investment. Contributions to carbon dioxide reduction, biodiversity, circularity, and toxic substances mitigation are highly valued.
Eligible projects/themes
Targeted industry sectors are agriculture and food, bio-based chemicals and materials, blue economy, construction, forestry, industrial biotech, packaging, personal and home care, textiles, and others.
Amount of funding
The total budget is € 300 million, with an indicative budget of € 2.5 million to € 10 million per project.
Application process
Projects may contact the ECBF to learn about the application process and further requirements.
Deadlines
There is no set deadline, or deadline is set on a needs basis.
<5 000
large 500 000-200 000, medium 200 000-50 000, and small cities 50 000-5 000
large metropolitan area >1.5 million, metropolitan area 1.5 million-500 000
predominantly urban regions, intermediate and predominantly rural regions, refer to TERCET typology NUTS 3 region
e.g. commercial, residential, service, industrial