LIFE-2025-SAP-ENV Call Fiche: Circular Economy and Quality of Life

Expired EU · Found: 2026-03-11 10:41

Official European Commission call document for LIFE-2025-SAP-ENV Standard Action Projects. Covers circular economy and waste topics including resource recovery from waste (plastics, WEEE, batteries, ELVs, textiles, packaging), circular business models, Extended Producer Responsibility, and zero pollution initiatives.

Source: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/life/wp-call/2025/call-fiche_life-2025-sap-env_en.pdf

Funding Details

Funder

European Commission / CINEA (European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency)

Funding Goal

To facilitate the transition toward a sustainable, circular, energy-efficient and climate-resilient economy and a toxic-free environment, by funding Standard Action Projects (SAPs) that develop, demonstrate and promote innovative techniques and approaches for circular economy, waste management, zero pollution, and environmental governance in line with the European Green Deal.

Funding Amount

EUR 77M for environment/circular economy topic (indicative project budgets EUR 2–10M); EUR 4M for governance topic (EUR 0.7–2M). Maximum funding rate: 60%. (700.000 € – 10.000.000 €)

Deadline

2025-09-23 (Fixed)

How to Apply

1. Create EU Login account and register organisation in Participant Register to obtain a 9-digit PIC. 2. Access Submission System via the Topic page. 3. Submit in four parts: Part A (administrative info and budget, online), Part B (technical description, PDF upload, max 120 pages), Part C (KPIs and project data, online), plus mandatory annexes (detailed budget table, participant information). 4. Submit before 23 September 2025 at 17:00 CET. One-stage submission with one-step evaluation.

Target Region

EU Member States and EEA/associated countries; activities outside eligible countries permitted only if essential for EU environmental objectives

Contact

CINEA-LIFE-ENQUIRIES@ec.europa.eu (non-IT questions); EU Funding & Tenders Portal IT Helpdesk (IT/submission questions). Questions must be submitted at least 7 days before the deadline.

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:55

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a legal entity (public, NGO, or private) established in an EU Member State or EEA/LIFE-associated country
• The consortium coordinator must be established in an eligible country
• Natural persons are NOT eligible (except self-employed sole traders with no separate legal personality)

Project Scope

• Project must address at most two sub-topics within either the Circular Economy & Zero Pollution topic OR the Environmental Governance topic — not both in the same application
• Activities outside eligible countries must be strictly necessary to achieve EU environmental objectives and ensure effectiveness of actions carried out within eligible countries

Required Documents

• Application must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; paper submissions are not accepted. Project acronym must include the word 'LIFE'
• Application Form Part B (technical description) must not exceed 120 pages; correct portal templates must be used or the proposal may be declared inadmissible

Constraints

• Maximum EU funding rate is 60%; applicant must secure at least 40% co-financing. Financial support to third parties is capped at EUR 100,000 total (max EUR 20,000 per third party)

Summary

The LIFE-2025-SAP-ENV call is part of the EU's LIFE Programme under the "Circular Economy and Quality of Life" sub-programme. It funds Standard Action Projects (SAPs) aimed at implementing innovative solutions across two main topics: (1) Circular Economy and Zero Pollution — covering resource recovery from waste streams including plastics, WEEE, batteries, textiles and packaging, circular business models, Extended Producer Responsibility, air/water/soil quality, chemicals, and industrial emissions; and (2) Environmental Governance — supporting public administration decision-making, compliance assurance, and behavioural change initiatives. The total call budget is EUR 81 million, with EUR 77 million for the environment topic (indicative project budgets EUR 2–10 million) and EUR 4 million for governance (EUR 0.7–2 million). Eligible applicants are legal entities (public, NGO, or private) established in EU Member States or EEA/associated countries. There is no minimum consortium requirement. Projects must be primarily implemented in eligible countries, though activities outside can be permitted if essential to achieve EU environmental objectives. The maximum funding rate is 60%, meaning applicants must secure at least 40% co-financing. Financial support to third parties is permitted under strict conditions (max EUR 100,000 total; EUR 20,000 per third party). The call explicitly prioritises sorting and recycling of plastics (including microplastics), circular value chains for key product groups, circular business and consumption models, marine and coastal water management (including marine litter), and zero pollution initiatives. Bonus points are available for transnational cooperation, building on previous EU-funded projects, and exceptional catalytic potential — all of which could benefit well-networked applicants. The call opened 24 April 2025, with a submission deadline of 23 September 2025. Evaluation results are expected February/March 2026, with grant signatures anticipated May/June 2026. Projects can run 24 to 120 months. All applications must be submitted electronically via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal; paper submissions are not accepted.

Historical Context

Part of the LIFE Programme, running since 1992. This call is launched under the 2025–2027 Multiannual Work Programme (Commission Implementing Decision C(2025)955 of 15 April 2025). LIFE has historically been a key EU tool for environmental implementation projects. Previous funded projects can be consulted in the LIFE database.

Why it was added

LIFE programme circular economy / waste / resource efficiency

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