Through this Open Call for Scaling up & Piloting, BIOECONOMY GIANTS aims to provide financial support to 4 collaborative pilot projects focused on the piloting and scaling up of high-added value bio-based products, while strengthening cooperation and the role of primary producers in circular bio-based value chains.
The Open Call seeks to support initiatives that combine technological and/or operational innovation with innovative cooperative business and governance models, contributing to the development of economically viable, sustainable and resilient bio-based value chains. In line with the objectives of the BIOECONOMY GIANTS, the Open Call II aims to:
- support the piloting and scaling-up of high-added-value bio-based products through the valorisation of secondary or underutilised biomass
- strengthen the position of primary producers within bio-based value chains, promoting their meaningful participation and an equitable distribution of benefits
- facilitate the development and implementation of innovative cooperative models involving primary producers, other rural actors and bio-based industries
- optimise the use of secondary or underutilised biomass enhancing circularity and resource efficiency
- foster resilient bio-based value chains in the agriculture, agri-food and forestry sectors, supporting innovative products with market applications and the potential for commercial viability
- generate demonstrable results and success stories that can support the replication and wider uptake of innovative cooperative bioeconomy solutions and relevant BIOECONOMY GIANTS services
Proposals must focus on the valorisation of secondary or under-utilised biomass originating from the agricultural, agri-food or forestry sectors, contributing to circularity, resource efficiency and the development of resilient bio-based value chains. Projects should last 7 months.
Proposals must be submitted by a transnational or national consortium of 2 to 4 partners from EU states or Horizon Europe Associated Countries (this includes the UK).
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Proposals must be submitted by a transnational or national consortium of 2 to 4 partners. Participation is open to any legal entity, regardless of its type or profile (including but not limited to SMEs, large enterprises, universities, research and technology organisations, clusters, and public bodies). All participating entities must hold an official and valid VAT number or, where VAT registration is not applicable or exempt under their national legislation, an official National Tax Identification Number or equivalent Business Registration Number. Entities without verifiable legal status and official tax identification are not eligible.
Each consortium must include at least one primary producer (or related actor) falling into one of the following eligible categories:
- Individual farms.
- Large and small companies that produce and market their agri-food and forestry products.
- Companies vertically integrated with full control over the contracted farms and forests.
- Seed, nursery plant, and forestry seedling specialists.
- Farmers’ cooperatives involved in primary products processing.
- Forestry cooperatives.
- Cooperatives of farmers owned by farmers and foresters (second-degree cooperatives).
- Producers’ organizations aiming to commercialize agricultural, agri-food, and forestry products.
- Farmers’ and foresters’ organizations at regional level.
An applicant (single legal entity) may participate in only one proposal under this call.
If you would like help to find a consortium partner, contact Innovate UK Business Connect’s Agrifood, Biotechnology or Global teams.
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Pilot Projects funded under this Open Call must contribute to the objectives of the BIOECONOMY GIANTS project by supporting the piloting and scaling-up of high-added value bio-based products, while strengthening cooperation among value chain actors and ensuring a central role for primary producers.
Proposals must focus on the valorisation of secondary or under-utilised biomass originating from the agricultural, agri-food or forestry sectors, contributing to circularity, resource efficiency and the development of resilient bio-based value chains. The proposed solutions must fall within the TRL 6-8 range. Applicants must indicate and justify the current technological maturity of their solution and describe the progress expected during the seven-month implementation period. In project activities, particular attention should be paid to promoting gender equality and addressing gender-specific challenges, where relevant.
The Open Call adopts a bottom-up approach. Proposed projects must respond to concrete needs or opportunities identified within the primary sector and demonstrate how primary producers will actively contribute to project implementation, decision-making and value creation, rather than acting solely as biomass suppliers.
Proposed projects are expected to address all of the following interconnected dimensions:
- Bio-based innovation and piloting/scaling-up
- Circular biomass valorisation
- Cooperative business and governance model
- Market potential and value chain resilience
- Expected results and future development
Proposals focusing solely or primarily on bioenergy or biofuel production (e.g., heat, electricity, biogas, or biofuels as the sole output) are excluded from the scope of this call.
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Up to four projects will be funded. The maximum grant limit per project is €70,000, and the maximum grant per single legal entity is €60,000. This can cover up to 100% of eligible costs.
Selected projects will also benefit from a dedicated Support Program to help them strengthen, validate and scale their solutions, which will include:
- Personalised assistance including monthly one-to-one mentoring sessions with experts, delivering strategic advice and practical insights to navigate project complexities.
- Technical guidance from the BIOECONOMY GIANTS Technical Board (CIRCE, AINIA, and EFI) and other potential experts based on the expertise required.
Depending on the specific needs of the selected projects and the availability of expertise and resources within the BIOECONOMY GIANTS consortium, additional supporting services might include, among others:
- A technology information service (news, projects, patents, etc.) and technological surveillance.
- Innovation dynamics with experts to brainstorm or mature technological aspects of the business model.
- Individualised technological mentoring service (including consultations with the network of experts, analysis and advice about technologies to be improved for projects success).
- Sharing of insights and lessons learned on collaborative and circular business models identified from the BIOECONOMY GIANTS project, where applicable.