'Innovate to transform' support for SME's sustainability transition (CSA)

Last updated: 21.7.2025
Grant

The 'Innovate to transform' support for SME's sustainability transition program, identified as HORIZON-CL4-2021-RESILIENCE-01-29, is a Coordination and Support Action (CSA) under Horizon Europe. Its primary objective is to enhance the resilience and competitive sustainability of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) by fostering their transition towards more sustainable business models, resource-efficient processes, and advanced technology adoption. This initiative leverages and connects existing EU business support networks to create robust innovation ecosystems.

Who is Funded

This program targets Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) across EU Member States and Associated Countries, aiming to support their transition towards sustainable and digital business models. The overarching objective is to increase their resilience and competitive sustainability within various industrial ecosystems.

What is Funded

This funding supports projects focused on industrial transformation, particularly in raw materials, advanced materials, and circular value chains, alongside the broader adoption of digital technologies by SMEs. It emphasizes both technological and social innovation to achieve climate neutrality and resource efficiency.

Type and Scope of Funding

The financial support is provided as grants, specifically through 'Third party financing' mechanisms, with a total budget of EUR 10,000,000 for this topic. Individual third parties (SMEs) can receive up to EUR 50,000. At least half of the total budget for the project must be allocated to these direct financial grants to SMEs. No specific project duration is defined in the provided document for the individual sub-projects funded via third-party financing.

Conditions and Requirements

Applicants and beneficiaries must adhere to general Horizon Europe conditions regarding admissibility, eligibility, financial capacity, and exclusion. Consortium formation requires a minimum of three entities from different EU Member States or Associated Countries. Strict budget allocation rules apply to the financial support provided to third parties, and adherence to the 'do no significant harm' principle is mandatory.

Application Procedure

The application process for this call is closed, with evaluation results already communicated to applicants. Prospective projects were submitted via a single-stage procedure on the Funding & Tenders Portal, following specific forms and annexes outlined in the Horizon Europe Work Programme.

This funding program operates under the comprehensive legal framework of Horizon Europe, guided by specific work programmes and general annexes that detail eligibility, financial rules, and evaluation procedures. Key regulations, including the EU Financial Regulation and the 'do no significant harm' principle, ensure transparent and sustainable implementation.

Similar Programs

#SME sustainability transition#Horizon Europe funding#Digital transformation SMEs#Green Deal innovation#Industrial resilience funding#Circular economy SME support#Advanced technologies SMEs#EU innovation ecosystem#Coordination and Support Action (CSA)#Horizon CL4-2021-RESILIENCE#SME capacity building#Technology uptake funding#Social innovation grants#European industry competitiveness#Raw materials value chains#Advanced materials development#Smart specialisation platform#Grant financing for SMEs

Funding Overview

Funding Status

Funding Status:

Closed

Maximum Amount

Maximum Amount:

50,000 €

Allocated Budget

Allocated Budget:

EUR 10,000,000

Deadline

Deadline:

23.09.2021

Open Until

Open Until:

Ongoing

Award Channel

Award Channel:

Framework Programme Call

Region

Region:

European Union, Associated Countries

Sectors

Sectors:

Information and Communication Technology, Renewable Energy, Research and Development, Environmental and Climate Protection, Social Enterprises, Other

Application Type

Application Type:

Consortium Required

Funding Stages

Funding Stages:

Basic Research, Applied Research, Experimental Development, Feasibility Study, Prototyping, Pilot Testing, Product Development, Commercialization

Funding Provider

Program Level:

European Union

Funding Body:

European Commission

Additional Partners:

Enterprise Europe Network, European industry clusters (registered under the European Cluster Collaboration Platform), Centres for Advanced Technologies for Industry, Open Innovation Test beds, European Digital Innovation Hubs, Start-up Europe, academia, social partners, other social innovation actors, European Innovation Council, European Institute of Innovation and Technology (Raw Materials and Digital KICs), InvestEU, Digital Europe Programme (DEP), Single Market programme, thematic smart specialisation platform on industrial modernisation, CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk, ETSI Research Helpdesk

0 x 0
XS