The European Commission has launched a new funding initiative for Eco-Innovation projects in Europe with around €35 million of funds available this year. The 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 intention is to help organisations, particularly SMEs, to overcome those barriers to market. A deadline for applications for the fund has been set for the 9th September 2010 (17:00 Brussels local time).
The initiative will support Eco-Innovative projects in different sectors however more specific priorities have been set up considering its important environmental impact. The four priority areas are:
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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.
