ECO-INNOVATION PROJECTS IN EUROPE:
ACHIEVING COMPETITIVE GROWTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY IS POSSIBLE
 

This initiative is addressed mainly to organisations that have developed an environmental product, service, management practice or process which has a proven track record, yet is not fully marketed due to residual risks. The Eco-innovation initiative is intended to overcome those barriers to further market penetration and turn these products and processes into Europe's future eco-innovation successes! Applications from SMEs are particularly encouraged. Around €35 million will be available to fund new projects this year. The Commission will fund up to 50% of the project’s eligible costs.
 

The Call for proposals 2010 is open. Deadline for submission of applications is 9 September, 17:00 (Brussels local time).
 

Your project will have to:

1. have an innovative character and substantial positive impacts on the environment;
2. provide significant replication, wider application and broader marketability;
3. be relevant for and show clear and substantial benefits in support of Europe's environmental policy objectives;
4. demonstrate a European added value and an international project dimension;
5. be well thought-through from a technical and project management perspective;
6. be cost-effective delivering higher quality through appropriate effort levels.

This call supports Eco-innovative projects in different sectors which aim at the prevention or reduction of environmental impacts or which contribute to the optimal use of resources. However, more specific priorities have been set up considering its important environmental impact.
They are summarised hereafter:
 

In the field of materials recycling:

• Improved sorting processes for waste materials such as construction, industrial, household, electrical and electronic waste;
• Eco-friendly design and production of high quality consumer goods, innovative recycling processes;
• Business innovations that strengthen the competitiveness of the recycling industries.
   

In the building & construction sector:

• Construction products and related processes that reduce consumption of resources, embodied carbon and production of by-product wastes. More environmentally friendly construction materials and innovative manufacturing processes.

In the food & drink sector:

• Innovative products including packaging methods and material that reduce environmental impact and maximise the use of raw materials in the food sector;
• Cleaner and more efficient processing of food and drink products so as to reduce waste and increase material recycling and recovery;
• Improved efficiency water management processes that reduce the use of water across the food & drink supply chain;
• Innovative products, processes and services reducing environmental impacts of consumption including packaging, distribution and purchasing decisions.

In the area of greening business & 'smart' purchasing:

• Innovative products that will decrease environmental impacts and use less resources;
• Services facilitating a better match between supply and demand of eco-innovative solutions and helping eco-innovation into the market;
• Substitution of materials with reduced environmental impacts and higher resource efficiency (e.g. bio-based products), substitution of scarce materials and increased use of secondary raw material;
• Greening of production and clean production processes, including industrial symbiosis;
• Gradual innovation by introducing re-manufacturing mechanisms and innovative repairing services.
   

For the 2010 call text, the Eco-innovation Days in Brussels, and other information kindly visit http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eco-innovation/index_en.htm 

Information about an Eco-Innovation Day in Malta will be published here in due time.