Prevent and eliminate litter, plastics and microplastics: Innovative solutions for waste-free European rivers

This grant aims to reduce pollution from litter, plastics, and microplastics in European rivers by accelerating the uptake of innovative solutions and effective monitoring, contributing to the implementation of the Water Framework and Marine Strategy Framework Directives. Projects must aim for at least a 50% reduction of plastic litter at sea and at least 30% reduction of microplastics released into the environment, while contributing to digital ocean and water knowledge systems. Solutions may include upstream prevention, development of less polluting substitutes, and technologies to remove pollutants from rivers. At least five innovative solutions must be tested, with two focusing on eliminating microplastics. The initiative engages at least five 'associated regions' to scale innovation and build capacity for waste-free rivers, providing technical assistance and financial support up to EUR 100,000 per region.

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Agency	HORIZON (EU)
Region	EU
Country	N/A
Legal form	Company, NGO, Government organization, Other
Start date	12 May 2022
End date	27 Sep 2022
Max funding	Maximum EUR 100,000 per 'associated region' (Financial Support to Third Parties) for selected solutions.
Budget	EUR 17,000,000 (HORIZON Innovation Actions, 2022 budget)
Coverage	General EU Horizon Europe rates apply; refer to the Model Grant Agreement for specific rates.

Grant application conditions

Eligible Countries	See Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Non-EU/non-Associated Countries may participate with their own funding where applicable.
Applicant Type	Legal entities (e.g., companies, NGOs, government organizations, and others) participating independently or in consortia.
Eligibility Conditions	As described in Annex B, C, D, E, F, and G of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes.
Consortium	Projects must engage at least five 'associated regions' from EU Member States or Associated countries, not already in the consortium.
Financial Support to Third Parties	Maximum EUR 100,000 per 'associated region' for the entire duration of the action. Each region can only benefit once. Selection process must be transparent, objective, and fair.
Number of Solutions	At least five innovative, cost-effective solutions must be selected and tested, with at least two solutions focusing on elimination of microplastics.
Environmental Safeguards	Solutions must not increase anthropogenic underwater noise or air pollution. Compliance with EU taxonomy regulation and delegated acts is required.
Project Timeline Alignment	Activities and results must align with Mission phases: 'development and piloting' by 2025 and 'deployment and upscaling' by 2030.
Documentation	https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MISS-2022-OCEAN-01-04

Eligible expenses

Evaluation criteria

Business exclusions

Reporting

Application process

Application requirements