The EUKI’s mission aligns with Circular Systemic Solutions, particularly under its "Sustainable Economy" and "Just Transition" focus areas. Its support for projects in areas such as carbon removals, energy transition, and sustainable mobility reinforces the systemic shift toward resource-efficient, low-emission infrastructures central to circularity. Additionally, EUKI’s emphasis on local knowledge, research, and policy development enables scalable, community-based circular innovations across Europe.

Your organisation is eligible if it is: a non-governmental organisation (NGO), a regional or local authority, a non-profit enterprise; or a University or other educational institution. The EUKI funds projects in all EU member states and the (potential) candidate countries of the Western Balkans. The regional focus is on Central, Eastern and Southeastern Europe, the Baltic States and the Western Balkans. At least half of the project funds must go to the target countries in these regions. The EUKI supports cross-border cooperation: funded climate projects should have partner organisations in several European countries.

The EUKI funding focuses on 6 key areas including sustainable economy, energy transition and climate-neutral buildings, and just transition.
 

• The Sustainable economy area supports projects that promote sustainable economic practices, which can involve circular economy strategies such as resource efficiency, waste reduction, and product life extension.
• Projects under Energy Transition and Climate-Neutral Buildings may incorporate circular construction methods, emphasizing the reuse and recycling of building materials to minimize environmental impact.
• The Just Transition focus area includes initiatives that facilitate equitable shifts towards sustainable practices, potentially encompassing community-based circular economy projects that create green jobs and support local economies.

Funding of between 120,000 and 1 million euros will be awarded per project.

There are two steps to get funded. The first step is to provide an outline of your project: explain the existing challenges and goals, and the actions needed to achieve them. All project outlines received in full by the deadline will be reviewed based on fixed criteria. If your project outline is selected by the EUKI, you will be invited to prepare a full project proposal in Step 2. You must submit the proposal within four to six weeks after the invitation.

Once your project proposal has been accepted and the grant agreement signed, you can start implementing project activities. At the same time, you will also begin the financial management of the project. This video explains the EUKI Selection Procedure in three minutes.

The last application period for the 9th EUKI call for project ideas started on 28 January 2025 and closed on 10 March 2025; 15:00 CET.