Find new opportunities and synergies

Find New Opportunities and Synergies

Explore platforms and strategies to enhance collaboration and networking in green projects. Discover tools to engage stakeholders, build partnerships, and access funding opportunities tailored to your sector.

Finance your project through EU Programmes

For SMEs in Europe focusing on innovation in green technologies and sectors such as bioeconomy, construction, and renewable energy, several EU funding programs offer significant opportunities. Here are a few key programs to explore:

  1. Horizon Europe
    Horizon Europe is the largest EU research and innovation funding program, with a budget of €95.5 billion through 2027. It supports various sectors, including circular economy, bioeconomy, and green technologies, offering SMEs opportunities to access funding for innovative projects. For example, Cluster 5 (Climate, Energy, and Mobility) and Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Environment) offer funding to projects related to sustainable energy, circular construction materials, and bio-based innovations..
  2. LIFE Programme
    The LIFE Programme funds projects that contribute to the EU’s environmental and climate action objectives. It covers four sub-programmes: nature and biodiversity, circular economy and quality of life, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and clean energy transition. SMEs can apply for funding under the Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme, which supports projects focusing on sustainable products and circular economy solutions. More information and calls are available through.
  3. CBE JU (Circular Bio-based Europe Joint Undertaking)
    The CBE JU is a key program for advancing circular bio-based industries in Europe. With a €213 million budget for 2024, it covers areas such as sustainable bio-based chemicals, circular construction materials, and innovative bio-based solutions. This program specifically targets SMEs working on sustainable innovations and offers funding across 18 topics related to the circular bioeconomy. The next call for proposals opens in April 2024, with a deadline in September 2024. Learn more and apply through the ​.
  4. Single Market Programme (SMP)
    The SMP supports SMEs in boosting competitiveness and growing within the EU’s single market. It offers funding to help SMEs access international markets, improve innovation, and build stronger business models. The program includes support for SMEs in industries related to construction, agriculture, and clean technologies.
  5. The Interregional Innovation Investments (I3)
    Instrument under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) supports innovation partnerships across EU regions to strengthen value chains and enhance economic cohesion. It is divided into three main strands: Strand 1 fosters investments in interregional innovation projects, Strand 2a supports value chain development in less-developed regions, and Strand 2b focuses on capacity building to help these regions participate effectively. The initiative encourages collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and public authorities to scale up innovations. Ultimately, I3 aims to bridge the innovation gap between regions and promote smart specialisation across the EU.

    Platforms for networking, collaboration, project and partner search

    The following EU platforms provide targeted opportunities to connect with collaborators and resources:

    • Enterprise Europe Network (EEN): Grow your SME internationally with support for networking and partnerships.
    • EIC – Community Platform: Ideal for startups and innovators applying for EU innovation grants.
    • Built4People – Collaboration Platform: Designed for professionals in sustainable construction and urban planning.
    • EURAXESS Partner Search Tool: This easy-to-use platform helps you find relevant organizations registered in their portal. You can search by keywords, previous call topics, or geographical criteria to find suitable project partners​.
    • CORDIS: Search past EU-funded projects to find institutions and organizations relevant to your field.
    • EASME Data Hub: Access detailed information on projects funded by the Executive Agency for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (EASME), gaining insights into successful applications and project outcomes.
    • IC Accelerator: Specifically designed for SMEs, this platform offers funding and coaching support for companies looking to scale up high-impact innovations.
    • National Funding Portals: Don’t overlook national and regional funding opportunities tailored to specific sectors and themes relevant to your project. We encourage you to explore your country’s or region’s specific funding agency or ministry responsible for innovation and economic development.

      Specialised bioeconomy platforms for matchmaking

      Platform name Link and description Target group Field Partner
      Online Inventory of good practices – CEE2ACT https://onlineinventory.bioeconomy.sk/ The CEE2ACT on-line inventory provides examples of good practices, existing on-line facilities, and bioeconomy-related projects in five areas (bioeconomy strategies & action plans, inter-institutional cooperation, efficient bio-based industry, monitoring & evaluation indicators, capacity building), enabling access to information and exchange of know-how EU and Member State Policy-makers Research and technology organisations Academia/Universities Bioeconomy Green transition Agriculture and rural development  
      Online learning platform – CEE2ACT https://cee2act.geonardo.com/ The e-Learning platform is offering interactive exercises, divided into thematic training modules, and a set of online courses for promoting bioeconomy and sustainable governance. The platform will enable users to access learning materials on circular bioeconomy in 11 different languages. EU and Member State Policy-makers Research and technology organisations Academia/Universities Bioeconomy Green transition Agriculture and rural development  
      Self-assessment Tool – CEE2ACT https://cee2act-sat.com/ The self-assessment tool is supporting administrative bodies at national, regional or local level to evaluate the current state of development of bioeconomy, providing recommendations regarding the aspects that should be improved to set a suitable framework for bioeconomy initiatives implementation and the green transition (feedstock potential and availability, infrastructures, funding, etc.). EU and Member State Policy-makers Research and technology organisations Academia/Universities Bioeconomy Green transition Agriculture and rural development  
      WEDISTRICT Tool https://tool.wedistrict.eu/ The WEDISTRICT tool is a simulation platform that helps any stakeholder interested in district heating and cooling (DHC) networks who want to assess different DHC scenarios in a certain site by integrating a set of technologies relevant to new or existing DHCs including PV, geothermal heat pumps, advanced absortion chillers, concentrated solar plants, Fresnel collector, biomass boiler, solar flat collectors, etc. SMEs Communities Architects/Engineers Energy  
      EU-FarmBook https://eufarmbook.eu/en EU-FarmBook is the answer to real needs of farmers, foresters and advisors. The Horizon Europe project offers an interactive, multi-lingual meeting place for agriculture and forestry communities, giving access to trustworthy knowledge objects according to findable, accessible, interoperable, and reusable (FAIR) data principles Farmers SMEs Foresters Advisors Agriculture and forestry  
      ROBIN Toolbox https://robintoolbox.web.auth.gr/ The ROBIN Toolbox is designed to support regions to develop bioeconomy governance models and strategies. Stakeholders involved in bioeconomy governance and environmental management Circular bioeconomy  
      BlueRev Support Tool https://support-tool.bluerevproject.eu/ The BlueRev Support Tool is an e-learning platform designed to enhance engagement and collaboration within the blue bioeconomy sector. It offers a user-friendly interface that caters to both beginners and experts, facilitating cross-sector collaborations among stakeholders.  Stakeholders in the blue economy sector Blue bioeconomy  

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      Choosing the Right Platform

      • Innovation Funding: Horizon Europe, EURAXESS and the EIC Community Platform are perfect for finding calls and funding for innovation-focused projects.
      • SME Growth: Use the EEN platform to expand globally and access broader support.
      • Specialized Sectors: CBE JU is best for bio-based industries, while Built4People suits those in sustainable construction.
      • Collaborative Networks: Leverage the European Cluster Collaboration Platform to connect across industries.
      • Regional Support: The Single Market Programme (SMP) offers a dedicated focus on enhancing competitiveness for SMEs across the EU.
      • Project Insights: The EASME Data Hub and IC Accelerator can provide valuable insights into successful projects and additional support for scaling innovative solutions.
      • National Support: Don’t forget to explore your national funding options through National Funding Portals to access additional financial resources for your sector.