Programme Category
Programme Name
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
This call has the goal to strengthen circular economy practices.OC3.2 is a “Value-Chain Extension” call. It enables single entities, specifically Manufacturing SMEs and Technology Providers, to join the established ecosystems as strategic partners.
The goal is to address specific “missing links” (technical bottlenecks, supply shortages, or market gaps) that are currently limiting the scale or efficiency of the funded value chains. Selected entities will contribute by introducing specific solutions for existing consortia, such as advanced sorting technologies, new material recovery processes, or downstream market access for circular products.
Detailed Call Description
Open Call 3.2 is structured into two complementary tracks:
- Track A: OC2 Enhance: Focused on adding new partners to the 15 Demonstrators previously funded under Open Call 2, helping them resolve specific implementation gaps and reach operational scale.
- Track B: Pilot Extensions: Focused on further strengthening the three core CIRCULOOS Pilots (Wood, Leather, Plastic) by introducing new R-strategies or increasing the volume of recovered materials through new local partners. (In this OC3.2 priority will be given to funding a project related to the Wood Pilot of the Circuloos project as opposed to Leather or Plastic. This means that in cases where proposals achieve the same score, the project will select the one addressing the Wood Pilot. This is because OC3.1 already funded two projects for the Plastic pilot and one for the Leather).
Both tracks share the same goal: to strengthen and complete existing circular economy practices.
CIRCULOOS is hosting two informational webinars to help applicants prepare:
- Webinar 1 (April 22, 2026): Covers the call guidelines, mechanics, platform tools, and financial rules.
- Webinar 2 (May 20, 2026): A deep dive into specific Track A and Track B needs, including a Q&A with the current consortia and pilot leads
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
The overall budget of this Call is € 600.000. An estimated number of approximately 10 entities will be funded, up to the exhaustion of the total available budget of approximately €600.000.
Selected entities will receive a fixed lump sum of up to €60.000 for a 6-month implementation program.
Important: The €60.000 grant represents a 60% funding rate. To receive the full amount, your total project budget must be at least €100.000, meaning you must contribute 40% (€ 40 000) from your own funds.
Activities that can be funded:
- Personnel costs associated with development, deployment and integration activities
- Software, hardware and data justified for the needs of the demonstrator implementation
- Access to and use of infrastructure justified for the needs of the project
- Audio/visual products and other communication activities related to the project
- Travel for meetings with CIRCULOOS team, workshops, events and promotion of project results
- Promotion & dissemination of the demonstrator outcomes and CIRCULOOS project
Projects funded under this call shall last 6 months.
Thematic Categories
- Environment and Climate Change
- Industry
- Processing
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Legal Entities
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Services Providers
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Legal entities applying for financial support to third parties must be established in one of the following countries:
- Member States of the European Union (EU-27);
- Horizon Europe Associated Countries, as listed in the official Horizon Europe document “List of Participating Countries in Horizon Europe”
Open Call 3.2 is strictly dedicated to single entities capable of immediate industrial implementation. Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
- Manufacturing European Mid-Caps, MSMEs, and Micro-SMEs (as defined in EU law – EU recommendation 2003/361) with a commercial activity in the manufacturing industry as a producer, or a technology/service supplier for applications in the manufacturing industry.
- Circular Economy Enablers: Recycling & Processing Companies, Waste Collectors, Upcyclers, and Repairers that add new recovery solutions to the value chain.
- Technology Providers & System Integrators: Entities offering specific technical solutions such as AI, automation, robotics, sorting, or data management required to bridge a gap in the value chain. Research Organizations (RTOs), Academic Institutes (Universities), are eligible for funding in Open Call 3.2 provided they develop and deploy (integrate to the pilot) their technical solution.
- Other types of activities/ entities are NOT eligible in this OC3.2. This call focuses exclusively on industrial actors for enhancement.
The CIRCULOOS – Open Call 3.2 will accept a maximum of 1 application per applicant per track (Track A and Track B). A single entity is permitted to apply to both Track A and Track B simultaneously. To do so, applicants must submit two separate and distinct applications on the F6S platform, one for Track A and one for Track B. However, if successful in both evaluations, the applicant will only be selected and granted funding for one of the proposals (either Track A or Track B). This policy is strictly enforced to avoid double funding. In case an applicant submits more than 1 application to the same track, all of their applications for that track will be automatically disqualified.