The call is relevant for cities and regions that are looking to develop, test and demonstrate operational solutions for large scale implementation of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. EPR schemes can contribute to improve circularity gaps in key product value chains with high circularity potential, given its full lifecycle approach.

These schemes can be a lever for producers, including SMEs, to design their products for circularity considering sustainability criteria and have been proven successful in improving the management of waste in products such as packaging and batteries. To acheive this, proposals should consider the global perspective within the national EPR schemes, as frequently the value chains mentioned above are established at a global scale and producers may be situated outside of the EU.

Projects should bring together all relevant stakeholders active in the selected product value chains (industry members, local authorities, waste management operators, SMEs, economic operators, producer responsible organisations (PROs), consumer organisations, researchers, and NGOs).

Any type of organisation can apply for Horizon Europe funding as long as they have the operational and financial capacity to carry out the tasks that they propose. For most calls for proposals, you must apply as a team of at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different EU or associated countries. At least one of the 3 partners must be from an EU country.

In addition to these 3 partners, organisations from other countries might be able to join your consortium. More information in the Horizon Europe programme guide. Further details or exceptions are listed on the pages of the call topics in the Funding & tenders portal.

Proposals should develop, test and demonstrate operational solutions for large scale implementation of EPR schemes that consider the eco-modulation of EPR fees for one or more of the following product value chains: construction products, ICT products, furniture, mattresses, and carpets. Proposal should also develop and test novel circular business models and solutions linked to EPR schemes for the above-mentioned product value chains, supported by ecodesign requirements ; assess the economic, environmental and social cost-benefits of the implementation of EPR schemes for the relevant stakeholders, especially for consumer and producers (with a focus on SMEs); develop and test the application of dedicated digital technologies, such as the digital product passport (pre-consumer) and tracking applications (post-consumer), to collect evidence within those product value chains and facilitate producers’ registration and the exchange of information between national EPR schemes; provide policy recommendations for specific elements of an EPR scheme that incentivises waste prevention and/or minimisation (e.g., ecodesign, reuse, preparation for reuse, repair and refurbishment, remanufacturing and recycling) and facilitate crossborder cooperation.

The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 10.00 million. The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 5.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

1. EC publishes calls for proposals on the funding and tenders portal
2. The call is open for an usual period of ca. 5 months where applicants can submit they proposal
3. Proposals can be single or two-stage application processes. A single stage application process requires the filling in of a structured proposal of max. 45 pages including objectives and innovation approach (excellence), tangible impacts that can be achieved through the project (impact) and the project planning and tasks (quality). If a two stage, the aforementioned would be the second stage application while the first is a simplified proposal of max 10 pages including only excellence and impact sections. These documents are to be uploaded to the portal in pdf format alongside filling in the respective parts of the portal with administrative information on the beneficiares, affiliated entities or others. All participants in a project need to possess a Partipant Identification Code (i.e. PIC number, a 9-digit number registered on ECAS). For more information, please see the work programme and the call documents.
4. Proposal submitted within the deadline will be evaluated by experts against evaluation criteria.
5. Winning proposals will be invited for signing a grant agreement with the EC.

Opening: 06 May 2025
 

Deadline: 17 Sep 2025