The European Commission today launched a 35-million call for eco-innovation projects to be funded under the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme. The call opens today and runs until 9 September 2010. Some 50 projects could end up being chosen for funding.
Under the 2010 CIP Eco-innovation call for proposals, funds are available for new projects in the area of materials recycling, sustainable building products, the food and drink sector and green business practices. The Commission welcomes projects particularly from small businesses with green products or services that need backing to penetrate markets. The call offers direct co-financing with grants that cover up to 50% of the total project cost. The 35 million funds available for the 2010 call are expected to bring to life between 45 and 50 new projects.
The call covers four main areas:
- Material recycling
- Sustainable building products
- Food and drink sector
- Green business
The projects are selected on the basis of their innovative approach, their market replication potential and their contribution to European environmental policies, especially in terms of resource efficiency.
Some 44 projects are currently running under the scheme, and another 45 are set to launch in the course of this year. Some examples include: converting used tyres into valuable insulation materials; using bamboo plantations to purify ‘grey’ water (water that has been used for household washing and bathing); and replacing conventional paper labels with innovative laser technologies.
The 2010 call for proposals was presented today during the CIP Eco-innovation Info Day taking place in the Charlemagne building in Brussels. The deadline for submissions is 9 September.
Eco-innovation projects 2010 call for proposals
Several national info days will take place around Europe.
