LIFE Programme - Action Grants: Circular Economy and Zero Pollution
Expired EU · Found: 2026-03-11 10:35
LIFE Programme action grants under the Circular Economy and Quality of Life sub-programme supporting projects promoting environmental and climate action. Eligible entities include public/private bodies in EU Member States and associated countries (Moldova, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine), including NGOs, SMEs and research institutions. 2025 cycle: 24 April - 23 September 2025.
Source: https://euro-access.eu/en/programs/64/LIFE-sub-programme-Circular-Economy-and-Quality-of-Life-
Funding Details
- Funder
- European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) – LIFE Programme
- Funding Goal
- Facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, circular, toxic-free economy and protect/restore the quality of the environment through direct interventions and policy integration, including circular economy, zero pollution, water/air/soil quality, and environmental governance.
- Funding Amount
- Not specified; varies by project type (SAPs, SIPs, OAs). Multi-annual budget allocated per work programme cycle.
- Deadline
- 2025-09-23 (Fixed)
- How to Apply
- Applications submitted via the EU Funding & Tenders portal (EC portal). Projects must align with LIFE Priority Topics (2025–2027 document available). Annual calls announced by CINEA, typically opening in April each year.
- Target Region
- EU Member States (incl. OCTs) + associated countries: Moldova, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine
- Contact
- LIFE Programme National Contact Points (NCPs): https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life/history-life/life-contacts/european-national-contact-points_en — European Climate Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) – LIFE: https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life/history-life/life-contacts_en
- Last Checked
- 2026-03-11 16:51
Application Checklist
Eligibility
Project Scope
Constraints
Summary
The LIFE sub-programme "Circular Economy and Quality of Life" is a major EU funding instrument managed by CINEA under the LIFE Programme for the Environment and Climate Action (2021–2027). It finances projects that demonstrate and scale innovative approaches to circular economy, zero pollution, waste reduction, resource recovery, water quality, air quality, soil protection, and chemicals management. Specific attention is given to key value chains including plastics, textiles, construction, electronics, and batteries, as well as sustainable blue economy applications such as fishing net reuse and fisheries/aquaculture by-products. The programme operates through Standard Action Projects (SAPs), Strategic Integrated Projects (SIPs), and Operating Actions (OAs). All types of legal entities may apply — including NGOs, SMEs, public bodies, research institutions, and private companies — established in EU Member States or LIFE-associated countries (Moldova, Iceland, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Ukraine). Natural persons, international organisations, and EU bodies (except JRC) are not eligible. No mandatory partnership is required. The programme runs annual call cycles. The 2025 cycle (Circular Economy and Zero Pollution call) ran from 24 April to 23 September 2025 and is now closed. Based on the pattern of annual calls in 2023, 2024, and 2025, a new cycle is expected in spring 2026. Funding amounts vary by project type and are not fixed in advance. This is one of the most directly relevant EU funding instruments for organisations working on circular economy transitions, plastic waste recycling, and environmental quality in the EU and associated regions.
Historical Context
Annual calls since at least 2023. 2023 call: 18 April – 6 September 2023. 2024 call: 18 April – 19 September 2024. 2025 call (Circular Economy and Zero Pollution): 24 April – 23 September 2025. The programme runs under the LIFE Multiannual Work Programme 2025–2027, suggesting continued annual cycles through 2027.
Why it was added
Deep Search PC1-1: LIFE action grants specifically for circular economy projects, directly relevant to plastics circularity initiatives