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Strategic Analysis
To win this proposal, the consortium must position urban manufacturing as a core driver of the Clean Industrial Deal by demonstrating scalable, high-TRL circular systemic solutions across European urban ecosystems. The winning strategy requires leveraging the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) infrastructure to unite municipal policy, urban industrial symbiosis, and secondary bio-based material value chains into a cohesive, replicable framework.
TRL → 8
Implement and demonstrate circular systemic solutions that help urban manufacturers overcome key barriers and challenges in their clean and circular transition and in adapting to new requirements aiming to mitigate environmental degradation , climate change and biodiversity loss.
urban manufacturers significantly increase their resource efficiency through increased circular material use or reduced overall material use per output;
urban manufacturers contribute significantly to EU climate, zero pollution, circularity and biodiversity goals by engaging in clean, sustainable and circular business practices;
Improved climate change adaptation and mitigation through the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy and bioeconomy, underpinned by biotechnologies and sustainable industrial solutions, such as carbon capture and utilisation and recovery of materials, water and energy.
Industrial competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy are improved through the development of safe, sustainable, circular and/or bio-based value chains. This is done by promoting the efficient and circular use of secondary materials and water, fostering the multi-functionality of forests, and ensuring the sustainable supply of critical resources from land and sea.
Living conditions for individuals and communities are improved through innovative, affordable and sustainable safe and sustainable by design products and services based on circular and/or bio-based solutions while demonstrating a reduction of environmental and climate pressures.
Advanced societal transformation based on a systemic approach, as well as people’s involvement and integration of social sciences and humanities for fair, safe, sustainable and circular value chains, sustainable consumption patterns, environmental justice, gender equality and social inclusion.
European Green Deal
highThe European Green Deal is the EU's overarching growth strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 while fostering a competitive and resource-efficient economy. It provides the core roadmap for decoupling economic growth from resource use across industry, energy, mobility, and the circular economy.
Proposals should clearly demonstrate how their urban manufacturing solutions contribute to the broader objectives of the European Green Deal, particularly regarding resource efficiency, circularity, and climate neutrality targets.
EU Competitiveness Compass
highThe EU Competitiveness Compass sets out strategic directives for strengthening European industrial leadership, strategic autonomy, and productivity through twin green and digital transitions. It focuses on closing innovation gaps and building resilient regional industrial supply chains.
Evaluators expect proposals to show how circular urban manufacturing enhances local industrial competitiveness, mitigates critical supply risks, and strengthens European strategic autonomy.
Clean Industrial Deal
highThe Clean Industrial Deal represents the industrial execution arm of the European Green Deal, aiming to make European industry sustainable, competitive, and resilient. It prioritizes decarbonization, circularity, resource efficiency, and local clean manufacturing capabilities.
Proposals must directly demonstrate how advanced urban manufacturing solutions support the green transition of industry, reduce emissions, enhance material circularity, and support clean technology deployment.
EU Circular Economy Act
highThe EU Circular Economy Act establishes legal frameworks and binding targets for material circularity, waste reduction, and secondary raw material integration across European industrial sectors.
Evaluators expect concrete evidence of compliance with circular economy principles, detailing material loops, waste minimization, and recycled content integration in urban manufacturing processes.
Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation
highThe Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation mandates eco-design standards for product durability, reusability, repairability, and recyclability, introducing Digital Product Passports across EU markets.
Proposals must demonstrate strong alignment with eco-design principles, showing measurable improvements in product durability and potential integration of Digital Product Passports.
EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy
mediumThe EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy supports innovative entrepreneurs by optimizing market conditions, reducing regulatory barriers, and facilitating commercial scaling of innovative green and digital technologies.
Proposals should outline clear strategies for engaging circular startups and SMEs within urban manufacturing networks and establishing pathways for commercial scaling.
EU Bioeconomy Strategy
mediumThe EU Bioeconomy Strategy promotes the sustainable deployment of biological resources to replace fossil-derived inputs, supporting circular bio-based material loops and eco-innovative industrial solutions.
When applicable, proposals should demonstrate the integration of bio-based materials and circular bioeconomy models within local urban production systems.
EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative
mediumThe EU Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative focuses on unlocking the potential of biomanufacturing to boost industrial competitiveness, foster sustainability, and modernize manufacturing processes.
Where urban manufacturing involves biomanufacturing solutions, proposals should articulate how biological techniques facilitate sustainable urban production.
SME Strategy
mediumThe EU SME Strategy for a Sustainable and Digital Europe aims to build SME capacity, lower administrative burdens, and facilitate small business access to financing and green transition markets.
Proposals should present clear inclusion plans for local manufacturing SMEs, fostering capacity building, skills acquisition, and integration into circular urban value chains.
European Water Resilience Strategy
mediumThe European Water Resilience Strategy seeks to strengthen regional water security, enhance industrial water efficiency, and protect freshwater ecosystems against scarcity and pollution risks.
Proposals should demonstrate efficient water management, closed-loop industrial water reuse, and reduced water intensity within urban manufacturing operations.
European Chemicals Industry Action Plan
lowThe European Chemicals Industry Action Plan targets safe and sustainable-by-design chemicals management, addressing hazardous substance phase-out and promoting chemical recycling innovation.
Evaluators will look for adherence to safe-and-sustainable-by-design criteria, ensuring circular urban processes safely manage or avoid toxic substances.
European Ocean Pact
lowThe European Ocean Pact focuses on marine conservation, sustainable blue economy governance, and pollution mitigation to safeguard ocean health and marine biodiversity.
If implemented in coastal urban areas, proposals should address how urban manufacturing practices minimize marine pollution and runoff into ocean ecosystems.
European Life Sciences Strategy
lowThe European Life Sciences Strategy seeks to strengthen leadership in biological research, biotechnology innovation, and the translation of scientific discoveries into economic and societal applications.
If life science methodologies are relevant, proposals should outline how biological research translates into safe, scalable urban industrial practices.
EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030
lowThe EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 aims to halt and reverse biodiversity loss across Europe through ecosystem restoration, land-use management, and reducing resource extraction pressures.
Proposals should show how circular urban manufacturing reduces pressure on natural raw material extraction, indirectly contributing to nature restoration and protection targets.
Nature Restoration Regulation
lowThe Nature Restoration Regulation establishes legally binding objectives for ecological restoration of degraded ecosystems to build climate resilience and safeguard natural capital.
Proposals should ensure urban manufacturing spatial planning avoids land degradation and, where applicable, integrates nature-based solutions into industrial urban sites.
EU Forest Strategy for 2030
lowThe EU Forest Strategy for 2030 promotes sustainable forest management, timber re-use, and the development of sustainable forest bio-economies within ecological boundaries.
If utilizing wood products or forest-derived biomaterials, proposals must show alignment with sustainable sourcing criteria and cascading use principles.
EU Strategy for Outermost Regions
lowThe EU Strategy for Outermost Regions supports sustainable economic development and resilience in remote EU territories, helping them address structural geographical vulnerabilities.
If addressing EU outermost regions, proposals should adapt circular urban manufacturing models to island constraints and localized supply chains.
No specific eligibility rules extracted from this call.
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described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.
described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes.
are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual.
described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.
described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme]
Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System
Standard application form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard application form (HE RIA IA Stage 1)
Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)
Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA and CSA Stage 1)
Guidance
Model Grant Agreements (MGA)
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction
HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes
HE Framework Programme 2021/695
HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764
EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement
Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
Evaluators will focus on whether the project moves beyond localized pilots to deliver validated TRL 8 circular systemic solutions that directly improve resource efficiency and reduce industrial pollution in urban environments. They will look for strong governance links with the CCRI Coordination and Support Office, clear socio-economic integration (SSH), and concrete metrics proving alignment with the EU Circular Economy Act and Net-Zero Industry objectives.
Everything the call asks for, seen from the call's point of view. Each line shows what answers it, and which partner carries it.
This matrix lists everything the call asks for: outcomes, impacts, scope, the requirements buried in the call text, and policy alignment. Sign up free and GrantForge tracks each line against the concept you build.
| Requirement | Covered by | Carried | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scope activities | |||
| SC1Implement and demonstrate circular systemic solutions that help urban manufacturers overcome key barriers and challenges in their clean and circular transition and in adapting to new requirements aiming to mitigate environmental degradation , climate change and biodiversity loss. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected outcomes | |||
| EO1urban manufacturers significantly increase their resource efficiency through increased circular material use or reduced overall material use per output; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EO2urban manufacturers contribute significantly to EU climate, zero pollution, circularity and biodiversity goals by engaging in clean, sustainable and circular business practices; | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Other requirements | |||
| REQ1Involvement of economic operators, local authorities, and civil societyProjects should involve economic operators, local authorities, and civil society organisations to address the relationship between urban manufacturing and the surrounding urban environment. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ2Interdisciplinary Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) integrationThe topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts to enhance the societal impact of the activities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ3Cooperation with the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI)Proposals should contribute to CCRI goals and cooperate with the CCRI Coordination and Support Office, with joint activities with other CCRI projects strongly encouraged. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ4Linkages with Regional Innovation Valleys, New European Bauhaus, and Cities MissionProposals should explore linkages with relevant initiatives such as Regional Innovation Valleys, the New European Bauhaus, and the Climate-Neutral and Smart Cities Mission whenever relevant. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| REQ5Unlocking research assets of EU outermost regionsProjects under this destination support unlocking the unique research and innovation assets of the EU outermost regions. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Expected impacts | |||
| EI1Improved climate change adaptation and mitigation through the transition to a more sustainable and circular economy and bioeconomy, underpinned by biotechnologies and sustainable industrial solutions, such as carbon capture and utilisation and recovery of materials, water and energy. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI2Industrial competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy are improved through the development of safe, sustainable, circular and/or bio-based value chains. This is done by promoting the efficient and circular use of secondary materials and water, fostering the multi-functionality of forests, and ensuring the sustainable supply of critical resources from land and sea. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI3Living conditions for individuals and communities are improved through innovative, affordable and sustainable safe and sustainable by design products and services based on circular and/or bio-based solutions while demonstrating a reduction of environmental and climate pressures. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| EI4Advanced societal transformation based on a systemic approach, as well as people’s involvement and integration of social sciences and humanities for fair, safe, sustainable and circular value chains, sustainable consumption patterns, environmental justice, gender equality and social inclusion. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| Underlying policies | |||
| POL1european green dealThe European Green Deal is the EU's overarching growth strategy to make Europe climate-neutral by 2050 while fostering a competitive and resource-efficient economy. It provides the core roadmap for decoupling economic growth from resource use across industry, energy, mobility, and the circular economy. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL2eu competitiveness compassThe EU Competitiveness Compass sets out strategic directives for strengthening European industrial leadership, strategic autonomy, and productivity through twin green and digital transitions. It focuses on closing innovation gaps and building resilient regional industrial supply chains. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL3clean industrial dealThe Clean Industrial Deal represents the industrial execution arm of the European Green Deal, aiming to make European industry sustainable, competitive, and resilient. It prioritizes decarbonization, circularity, resource efficiency, and local clean manufacturing capabilities. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL4eu circular economy actThe EU Circular Economy Act establishes legal frameworks and binding targets for material circularity, waste reduction, and secondary raw material integration across European industrial sectors. | · | · | Sign up to track |
| POL5ecodesign for sustainable products regulationThe Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation mandates eco-design standards for product durability, reusability, repairability, and recyclability, introducing Digital Product Passports across EU markets. | · | · | Sign up to track |
The binding rules of this call. Items marked auto are verified by GrantForge from the call and the template. The others are yours to confirm.
LMIC entities auto-eligible
Low/middle-income country entities are automatically eligible for funding.
Page limit Stage 1
Part B Section 1+2+3 combined is typically capped at 10 pages at Stage 1. Pages exceeding the limit are invisible to evaluators.
Consortium continuity
The consortium declared at Stage 1 is expected to submit Stage 2. Substantial changes must be justified.
EU space data infrastructures
If the project uses satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation or timing data/services, beneficiaries must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS.
Civil applications only
Exclusive military or dual-use applications are excluded.
Talk to the Grant Coach to build your concept. The steps below fill in as it takes shape, and your coverage tracks the progress. You can refine everything once your project workspace is created.
Step 1 of 2 · Build your concept
The problems this call frames, and who they affect. Your concept and plan address them.
Urban manufacturing sectors face severe supply chain vulnerabilities and environmental footprints due to high dependence on virgin resources and limited integration of secondary materials.
Lack of structured policy alignment and collaborative platforms between city managers and local industry inhibits systemic waste recovery and cross-sectoral symbiosis.
Manufacturing enterprises operating in urban and peri-urban locations adopting circular design, eco-innovative production methods, and resource recovery technologies.
City councils, regional development agencies, and urban planning authorities participating in the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative.
Academic institutions, industrial researchers, and R&I organizations dedicated to circular economy frameworks, urban industrial ecology, and life cycle assessment.
Local residents and civil society organizations benefiting from reduced urban industrial emissions, improved environmental quality, and sustainable employment opportunities.
Step 2 of 2 · Build your concept
The long-term impacts your project should drive — this shapes the objectives next.
Substantially increase circular material use and decrease primary resource reliance across urban manufacturing value chains.
Accelerate urban industrial transition toward net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero pollution in alignment with the Clean Industrial Deal.
Drive equitable urban reindustrialization by creating sustainable jobs, integrating social sciences, and improving urban living standards.