18 September 2020

The call aims to promote research and innovation for a sustainable development of European society and economy.

The European Commission's Green Deal is designed to promote the development of a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy in Europe. Central objectives of the growth strategy: Net greenhouse gas emissions are to be reduced to zero by 2050, economic growth is to be decoupled from resource use and the public are to be involved in all important decision-making processes under the motto "Leave no one behind!".

The Green Deal Call that has now been published addresses this very issue. The Commission invites researchers to apply with their ideas. A total of Euro 1 billion will be used to promote solutions that can specifically address one of the objectives of the Green Deal and deliver tangible and timely results for the public. In addition to technological pilot applications, demonstration projects and innovative products, forward-looking ideas will also be promoted: For instance on how the green and digital transformation can be better managed or how new social and value chains could be designed.

Additional funding in the forthcoming EU programme Horizon Europe

The structure of the call reflects the central working areas of the European Green Deal, such as more environmentally friendly and healthier forms of transport, the decarbonisation of the energy sector, higher energy efficiency of buildings or the preservation of biodiversity. The thematic fields of work are complemented by cross-thematic areas such as strengthening knowledge and public participation.

Applicants can submit their project ideas for the Green Deal Call to the European Commission until 26 January 2021. Selected projects are expected to start in autumn 2021.

The current Green Deal Call is funded within the ongoing EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation - Horizon 2020. Further research and innovation initiatives will in future be funded under the umbrella of the next programme - Horizon Europe.