Best Funding Opportunities for European Sustainable Businesses

 

 

Are you a budding sustainable business looking for funding? Or perhaps you are established, and looking for funding for a sustainable project you plan to embark on? Look no further than our guide on the best funding opportunities for European sustainable businesses, where we will take you through some of the options for funding you could apply for. Make sure to check your full eligibility for these funds before applying.

 

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If you are looking to help your business fulfil its sustainable agenda, we suggest looking for funding. Though there are several funding options available for the upcoming year, here we have listed the best. We have also included a little bit about the fund, and the deadline for proposals to be submitted. We recommend you look through and check your eligibility, and ensure you meet the deadline! We have linked each funding opportunity for your ease. Good luck!

 
 
 
 

STARTUPS

 

EIC ACCELERATOR

EIC Accelerator - Call for proposals: Innovation Call 2022 (closes 18/11/21)

Criteria:

The EIC Accelerator supports individual Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). They seek an innovative approach to climate action, and plan to make €4 - €5 million of funding available for 2022, with a 20% to 40% EIT contribution toward each project's total budget.

 
 

EUROPEAN STARTUP PRIZE FOR MOBILITY

European Startup Prize for Mobility (closes 30/11/21)

Criteria:

To be eligible for this prize, you need to be a startup offering an innovative and game-changing product or service, with a focus on mobility and sustainability. They are looking for those contributing to reducing the carbon footprint in the transport sector, reconnecting remote areas in a climate-conscious way.

 
 

THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FUND PLUS

The European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) (runs 2021-2027)

Criteria:

The European Social Fund Plus provides support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) to help them improve their competitiveness, for example through training. Click here to find out about the specific support you could get in your country, as ‘the level of ESF funding and the types of projects that are funded differ from one region to another depending on relative wealth’.

 
 

ERASMUS FOR YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs

Criteria:

This European business exchange programme provides financial and practical help to new entrepreneurs. It offers an exchange of knowledge and better networking possibilities, along with potential financial assistance that would be paid by the new entrepreneur’s intermediary organisation (subject to financial agreement). This programme is available to those in the early stages of their start-up business.

 

 
 

OTHER PROJECTS

 

LIFE PROGRAMME

LIFE Programme (deadlines vary from 30/11/21 - 12/01/22)

Criteria:

With ambitious goals for nature and environmental action, the LIFE programme aims to invest €280 million or more into over 120 LIFE programme projects. These projects vary from biodiversity to climate governance, so make sure to check out this list of the calls for proposals. 

 
 

ADAPTATION FUND

Adaptation Fund (closes 10/01/22) 

Criteria:

The Adaptation Fund finances climate adaptation projects in nine sectors, examples of which include Agriculture, Forests, Multisector Projects, and Water Management. At COP26, the European Commission announced a new pledge of €100 million in finance for the Adaptation Fund. The fund grants developing countries complete ownership of adaptation projects, while simultaneously ensuring transparency at each step of the project.

 
 

EIT CULTURE & CREATIVITY

EIT (European Institute of Innovation & Technology) Culture & Creativity (closes 24/03/22)

Criteria:

In supporting growth and sustainable recovery of Europe’s cultural and creative sectors, around €300 million of EU funding is available. The EIT invites partners involved in sectors such as higher education, NGOs, and research organisations to put forward their projects that aim to drive sustainable development and innovation in the cultural and creative sectors. Find the full evaluation criteria here.

 
 

HORIZON EUROPE

Horizon Europe (deadlines vary, running until 2027)

Criteria:

Horizon Europe is the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation. It has a budget of €95.5 billion, and it aims to tackle climate change, boost the EU’s growth, create jobs, and engage EU talent. A large part of the budget has been set aside for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs). There are 5 main mission areas as part of Horizon Europe; ‘Adaptation to Climate Change’, ‘Climate-neutral and smart cities’, ‘Cancer’, ‘Soil Deal for Europe’, and ‘Restore our Oceans and Waters’. Have a look at the calls in the Funding and Tenders portal here.

 

+  Words:
Emma Dahl
Luxiders Magazine