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Environment

Zero Pollution Stakeholder Platform - Funding opportunities

At the end of 2020, the new financing instruments under the Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) were agreed. The programming for each instrument has since begun. Below you can find some general information and links.

The EC has published a new green funding guide to support zero pollution. The new guide (Vademecum) for EU Funding Programmes for the environment is targeted at public and private project promoters who wish to implement projects supporting the EU Green Deal and who seek EU funding. The guide describes in detail 2021-2027 MFF funding programmes and instruments. The guide aims at facilitating funding applications.

At the end of 2020, the new financing instruments under the MFF were agreed. The programming for each instrument has since begun. Below you can find some general information and links.

More specific information will be made available at a later stage.

ERDF

European Regional Development Fund

The ERDF provides financial support for the development and structural adjustment of regional economies, economic change, enhanced competitiveness as well as territorial cooperation throughout the EU. The key priority areas of ERDF investments are innovation and research, the digital agenda, support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and a low-carbon economy. These priority areas could have potential applications in the area of zero pollution. More information here.

CAP

Common Agricultural Policy

The new CAP highlights the importance of greater use of knowledge and innovation as well as aiming for higher environmental and climate action. Applications in the area of zero pollution in the agricultural sector could find funding from the CAP. More information here.

EMFAF

European Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund

EMFAF funding can provide opportunities for zero pollution in the marine environment. These potential applications could relate to e.g. sustainable fisheries management and aquaculture, marine environment protection and sustainable blue economy. More information here.

Horizon Europe

Horizon Europe is the EU’s next funding programme for research and innovation and it will offer funding opportunities for research and innovation projects, which could include projects with applications related to zero pollution. More information here.

CEF

Connecting Europe Facility

The CEF supports trans-European networks and infrastructures in the sectors of transport, telecommunications and energy. Especially the CEF Telecom could have relevant applications for zero pollution. More information here.

Digital Europe Programme

The Digital Europe Programme will build the digital capacities of the EU and facilitate the wide deployment of digital technologies. Various sections of Digital Europe could provide opportunities for funding of digital solutions for zero pollution, including in the context of smart cities and communities. More information here.

LIFE Programme

The LIFE programme is dedicated to environmental and climate objectives. The next LIFE will contribute to the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment, the shift to a circular economy and halting biodiversity loss. As LIFE funds green technologies, applications in the area of zero pollution could also be available. More information here.

ESF+

European Solidarity Fund Plus

The ESF+ aims at supporting Member States to tackle the crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic, achieve high employment levels, fair social protection and a skilled and resilient workforce ready for the transition to a green and digital economy. More information here.

NDICI

Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument

The NDICI can help create business opportunities for EU and foreign companies on the twin green and digital transition, connect Europeans and foreigners to advance it. More information here.

Recovery and Resilience Facility

The Recovery and Resilience Facility offers many opportunities to implement the application of digital solutions in national programmes and projects. Member States are currently preparing their national Recovery and Resilience Plans with the objective to allocate at least 20% and 37% of their expenditures to reforms and investments that support the digital and green transition respectively. These can include investments into research and development, the greening of sectors towards zero pollution, as well as investments into green and digital skills that can accelerate the transition. More information here.

Private investments

The private investments triggered by the EU’s Sustainable Finance policy can be an important driver for innovation and harvesting business opportunities resulting from the zero pollution ambition. More information here.