A Green Enterprise circular economy approach provides opportunities for enterprises to enhance competitiveness and reduce business costs. This approach will build Ireland’s capacity to transition to a low-carbon, resilient, circular economy. The programme is funded by the Circular Economy Programme and the EPA Research Programme.
In recent years, the Green Enterprise call invited proposals in the following thematic areas:
To learn more about the projects we have funded you can view our ongoing and recently completed Green Enterprise projects here.
The EPA’s Green Enterprise: Innovation for a Circular Economy is an annual funding call to support innovators in Ireland to develop, demonstrate and implement circular economy approaches in their business models. It is managed through the EPA’s National Circular Economy Programme and is co-funded by EPA Research.
The 2022 call is now closed with a fund worth €650k (view call documentation below). Applications for funding in the range of €50k-€100k are invited, to support Irish businesses develop circular solutions in product and service design, production, distribution and use of resources (including resources and raw materials). The fund is aimed at innovative projects targeting the area of Packaging, Plastics, Textiles, Construction & buildings, Food, water & nutrients; Electronics & ICT and Batteries & vehicles. Circular business models contribute to a climate-neutral, resource-efficient economy, but also offer competitive opportunities, and appeal to customers and consumers looking for sustainable options.
All organisations applying for funding must provide written declarations that they have not been in receipt of more than €200,000 in state aid in the last three years, including funding applied for as part of this programme.
The maximum amount of funding available is €100,000 per grant award. Grant aid is provided on a shared cost contribution basis, from 25%-95% of the total eligible project costs incurred.
The 2022 Green Enterprise: Innovation for a Circular Economy call is now closed for submissions.
The indicative timeframe is as follows:
| Date | Deadline Type |
|---|---|
| Friday 10th June 2022 | Call opening |
| Wednesday 22nd June 2022 | EPA webinar for potential applicants. Register via cep@epa.ie |
| Tuesday 12th July 2022 at 17:00 GMT | Deadline for technical queries |
| Tuesday 19th July 2022 at 17:00 GMT | Deadline for submission of applications |
| Tuesday 26th July 2022 at 17:00 GMT | Organisation approval deadline for authorisation by Managing Directors (or equivalent authorised signatory) for companies |
| By mid September 2022 | Evaluation process completed |
| October/November 2022 | Applicants notified. Grant negotiation (resolution of any technical or budget queries) |
| December 2022 | Successful projects grant-awarded |
| January 2023 | Projects commenced |
Preventing plastic waste and increasing the recyclability of plastic products are central to the EU’s Circular Economy Action Plans.
An EU Plastics Strategy which aims to protect the environment from plastic pollution while fostering growth and innovation was published in January 2018. The latest EU Green Deal Circular Action Plan (March 2020) will look at phasing out single-use plastic products wherever possible and replacing them with durable products for multiple use; and acting on microplastics to restrict their use. Much of the plastic packaging consumed cannot be recycled or is difficult to recycle (e.g. products made of composite materials). For these reasons, we need to transform the way products are designed, produced, used and recycled.
Potential proposal areas:
As a leader in green food production, Ireland has the potential to create and showcase new and innovative solutions to tackling food waste.
Food waste can arise for many reasons at a number of different points in the food supply chain. For example, at the early stages of agricultural production, crops may be grown which are never harvested, or they may be harvested but wasted due to damage or fluctuations in demand. Retailers may throw away out-of-date or imperfect stock, and restaurants may throw away food left on plates by their customers. Businesses may not be aware of the amount of the food waste they produce and may not see that this is a problem that needs to be dealt with. Different businesses may have their own reasons for wasting food and have their own solutions for reducing it.
Potential proposal areas:
Plastics waste, C&D waste and food waste have been a focus for the European Commission under the circular economy due to the volume of waste involved and the environmental issues arising from their waste management.
The circular economy embraces all resources and raw materials and therefore the Green Enterprise funding call will have a thematic area to reflect this. Of interest are solutions relating to electrical and electronic equipment, textiles and furniture. These areas are specifically mentioned in the Waste Framework Directive 2018 (ref Article 9) and electrical and electronic equipment and textiles are highlighted as focus areas under the EU Green Deal Circular Economy Action Plan (March 2020).
Potential proposal areas:
Construction and demolition (C&D) waste is the largest waste stream by volume in the EU. There are opportunities for innovation in the C&D sector to meet circular economy ambitions such as:
EU Green Deal’s new industrial strategy recognises EU member states need to address the sustainability of construction products and improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of built assets. A more sustainable built environment will be essential for EU member states to transition towards climate neutrality.
Potential proposal areas:
