CIP Eco-Innovation 2008 - Pilot and market replication projects

The 2008 Call was launched on 21 April 2008.

Eco-innovation is a fairly business & technology area which may be described as the production, assimilation or exploitation of a novelty in products, production processes, services or in management and business methods, which aims, throughout its life cycle, to prevent or substantially reduce environmental risk, pollution and other negative impacts of resources use (including energy use). The promotion of Eco-Innovation through the Competitiveness and Innovation Programme aims to protect the environment while contributing to competitiveness and economic growth, also supporting innovation and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs2) in the EU.

What kind of projects will be funded this year?

This Call supports eco-innovative projects in different sectors summarised hereafter:

1. In the field of materials recycling:
   • Improved sorting processes for waste materials.
   • Eco-friendly design and production of high quality consumer goods.
   • New recycling solutions for specific sectors such as agriculture, maritime, extraction, utilities.
   • Business innovations that strengthen the competitiveness of the recycling industries.
2. In the food & drink sector:
   • Innovative processes especially 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 organic and non-organic waste and increase material recycling and recovery.
   • New water management processes that reduce the use of water across the food & drink supply chain.
3. In the building & construction sector:
   • Innovative building processes or products that reduce environmental impact and/or support a rational use of natural resources.
   • Green building techniques that leverage the use of recycled materials and renewable sources.
   • New water-saving systems such as rainwater collection, grey water(Any water that has been used in the home) use, green roofs.
   • Sustainable construction, maintenance, repair, retrofitting or demolition techniques.
4. In the area of greening business & "smart" purchasing:
   • Highly transferable practices, processes and techniques that increase the efficiency and the sustainability of SMEs.
   • Innovative forms of cooperation and knowledge sharing between local enterprises
   • Innovative quality assurance systems that enforce eco-compliance and approaches that follow the principles of Integrated Product Policy (e.g. eco-design, eco-label and life cycle approach).
   • Implementation and promotion of environmental criteria for purchasing decisions of enterprises.

Who can apply?

This Call is open to all legal persons that are based in eligible countries but the priority will be given to Small and Medium sized Enterprises (SMEs).

Eligible countries:

1. 27 EU Member States
2. Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
3. Further*:
   • Croatia
   • Turkey
   • Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
   • Montenegro
   • Israel

*These and other countries’ participation is only possible in cases where the Memorandum of Understanding on participating in the programme has entered into force by the Call deadline.

For the purpose of this Call, SMEs are defined as enterprises which employ fewer than 250 persons and which have an annual turnover not exceeding €50 million, or an annual balance sheet not exceeding €43 million.

Financing:

Total financial resources available for the 2008 Call: approx. 28 million EUR.

Percentage of community co-financing:

• maximum 40% if the benefiting participant is a large enterprise
• maximum 50% if the benefiting participant is a medium enterprise
• maximum 60% if the benefiting participant is a small enterprise
• maximum 50% for all other participants

Duration: The maximum duration of an action is 36 months.

Project proposal submission:

Closing date: Thursday 11 September 2008 until 17:00 (Bruxeless local time)

Electronic submission only.

Call for proposals is published on the following address:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/etap/ecoinnovation/docs/call_en_08.pdf

For further information:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/etap/ecoinnovation/

In the process of preparation of project proposal you can rely on PBIRO's long experience and certified European Project Managers.