The project launched an open call closing on 14 May to select 20 women-led tech startups in GreenTech, AgriTech and ClimateTech, particularly from less developed European countries, with ambitions to enhance their impact and market presence. 

The European Commission has just released its Competitiveness Compass, a roadmap for EU action over the next five years which lists what needs to be done to enable the European economy to flourish.

It sets out ways and means to deliver on the imperatives identified by the Draghi Report to boost competitiveness: closing the innovation gap, a joint roadmap for decarbonisation and competitiveness, and reducing excessive dependencies and increasing security. 

The circular economy is seen as part of the answer.

The European Commission is opening a call for membership applications for a new Ecodesign Forum under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation. The forum will play an important role in the implementation of the ESPR by involving all stakeholders in developing rules for more circular, energy-efficient and sustainable products.

Apply by 5 December!

A call for Partnerships for circular value chains between mainstream businesses and SMEs in social economy has been launched.

It aims to increase and reinforce circularity partnerships amongst SMEs active in the social economy and mainstream (for-profit) businesses.

Apply by 10 December!

The European Commission has published the guidance on the application of the 'do no significant harm' (DNSH) principle under the Social Climate Fund. The guidance covers the environmental safeguards that must be in place to benefit from the Social Climate Fund (over EUR 80 billion as from 2026).

The consultation closes on 13 August. A webinar will take place on 18 July to explain and clarify the criteria included in the DNSH guidance and allow stakeholders to ask questions. 

The EU grants for projects to reduce consumer food waste have been launched. The call for proposals is open to all interested stakeholders, with a deadline to apply by 25 September 2024.

The Single Market Programme grants are managed by the European Commission in collaboration with the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HaDEA).

The aim of the call is to support stakeholders in their actions to prevent and reduce the amount of food waste generated at consumer level.

During the World Circular Economy Forum 2024, the European Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen announced two initiatives intended to advance the circular economy at global level.

The establishment of the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre under the Global Gateway strategy will facilitate peer-to-peer exchanges and partnerships between EU and third-country stakeholders, fostering the uptake of sound circular economy policies and business models worldwide. The Commissioner announced a EUR 15 million commitment from the European Commission.

In addition, Commissioner Urpilainen launched the "SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa” programme. The European Commission will contribute EUR 40 million over five years to this programme, which will promote the transition to circular economies.

The European Commission has announced a EUR 40 million investment in the SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa (SWITCH-2-CE in ESA) programme.

This programme aims to advance circularity in Eastern and Southern African countries as they shift from a linear to a circular economy. It will do so by creating an enabling environment for investment in circular business models and improving access to the necessary skills and finance.

The circular economy has become a key part of the sustainable transformation of regions. The German Federal Institute for Research on Building, Urban Affairs and Spatial Development on behalf of the Federal Ministry for Housing, Urban Development and Building is leading the new Territorial Agenda pilot project. This scheme supports the development and implementation of strategic circular economy concepts in rural areas in Germany and Europe.

The pilot project is now establishing a partnership, and a call for funding for four German regions is ongoing. European regions and organisations are invited to declare their interest in joining the partnership.

The European Green Deal is a cornerstone of efforts to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 and deliver the Sustainable Development Goals in the EU. Many policy targets are dependent on action by local and regional authorities.

The current Commission's mandate is coming to an end, and so this is a good time to kick-start discussion on the "future" Green Deal and the role of local and regional authorities in implementing it.

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre is therefore launching a stakeholder consultation for urban policy experts and policy makers, in order to get a better understanding of policy and target priorities for EU cities.