The RIVCircular project has officially launched its new cascade funding call, opening a significant opportunity for innovators, companies and research-driven consortia working on solutions for Europe’s transition to a circular economy.
This call is jointly funded through Horizon Europe and regional and national funding instruments, reinforcing interregional collaboration and supporting the deployment of innovative circular solutions with strong market potential across Europe.
Call key dates and timeline
- Call opening: 20 April 2026
- Submission deadline: 17 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST (Brussels time)
Applicants are encouraged to start preparing their proposals early to ensure alignment with the call’s objectives and regional scope.
Supporting innovation close to market
Through this funding opportunity, RIVCircular aims to finance Innovation Action projects with technologies reaching Technology Readiness Levels 6 to 8. The focus is on solutions that are ready to be demonstrated, validated or scaled up under real operational conditions.
A total budget of €12,950,000 has been allocated to support projects addressing key challenges in the circular economy.
Call Topics
Applicants are invited to submit proposals addressing one of the following topics:
- Construction and demolition waste circularity
- Circular energy integration: valorising local waste streams for industrial efficiency
- Electric vehicles batteries recycling and reuse
- Circular economy in the textile industry
- Digital solutions for circular economy
Projects may have a duration of up to three years, depending on the selected topic.
Who can apply?
The call is open to eligible entities based in RIVCircular partner territories, reinforcing place-based innovation and interregional cooperation. Eligible regions include:
- Madrid (Spain)
- Innlandet (Norway)
- Kyiv Oblast (Ukraine)
- Košice (Slovakia)
- Extramadura (Spain)
- Vienna (Austria)
- Greece
- Hauts de France (France)
Applicants are encouraged to build strong partnerships across regions to maximise impact, knowledge exchange and scalability.
How to apply?
Interested applicants must submit their proposals via the dedicated cascade funding page on the RIVCircular website.
Applications must be submitted by a consortium of entities based in the eligible RIVCircular partner regions. Applicants are strongly encouraged to regularly consult the call webpage for the latest updates, including any amendments to the Call Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
To support this consortium building, RIVCircular offers a matchmaking platform where interested organisations can connect with potential partners from across participating regions. This platform is an excellent opportunity to identify complementary expertise, explore collaboration opportunities and strengthen project proposals.
Info Days and support
Info Days providing detailed guidance on the call conditions, funding rules and evaluation process will be organised in each partner region. These sessions will be held in the local language and offer direct interaction with the RIVCircular team. Stay informed about upcoming Info Days through the project’s communication channels and website.
For general enquiries, applicants can contact the RIVCircular team at info@rivcircular.eu