Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The Regional Innovation Valleys for Circular Economy (RIVCircular) Cascade Funding supports innovation initiatives that strengthen circular economy solutions in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. The call has a total budget of €12,350,000, with each entity able to request up to €600,000 across one or more proposals.
Overview
RIVCircular is a Horizon Europe co-funded project supported by the European Commission.
The programme aims to strengthen innovation ecosystems, improve cooperation between participating European territories, and accelerate circular economy solutions.
In Ukraine, the call supports legally registered organisations operating in the Kyiv region and carrying out their main project activities there.
Key Details
- Programme: RIVCircular Cascade Funding
- Country: Ukraine
- Region: Kyiv region
- Funding type: Cascade funding grant
- Total budget: €12,350,000
- Maximum funding per entity: €600,000
- Framework: Horizon Europe
- Primary focus: Circular economy innovation
- Research organisation funding rate: Up to 70% of eligible costs for non-commercial activities
Focus Areas
The programme supports innovation projects linked to circular economy development.
Key focus areas include:
- Circular economy innovation
- Construction and demolition waste circularity
- Circular energy integration
- Local waste stream reuse
- Electric vehicle battery recycling and reuse
- Circular economy in the textile industry
- Digital solutions for circular economy
- Interregional innovation ecosystems
- Cooperation between participating territories
- Sustainable industrial transformation
Thematic Topics
The call supports five thematic topics:
- Construction and Demolition Waste Circularity
Projects that reduce, reuse, recycle, or recover value from construction and demolition waste. - Circular Energy Integration Using Local Waste Streams
Projects that use local waste materials or waste streams to support circular energy systems. - Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse
Projects focused on recycling, repurposing, or reusing electric vehicle batteries. - Circular Economy in the Textile Industry
Projects that reduce textile waste and improve reuse, repair, recycling, or circular production models. - Digital Solutions for the Circular Economy
Projects using digital tools, data platforms, traceability systems, or smart technologies to support circular economy practices.
Key Concepts Explained
What is Cascade Funding?
Cascade funding is a funding model where an EU-funded project distributes financial support to third-party applicants. Under RIVCircular, eligible organisations receive grants to implement circular economy innovation projects.
What is Circular Economy?
Circular economy is a model that reduces waste and keeps materials, products, and resources in use for longer. It promotes reuse, repair, recycling, resource efficiency, waste reduction, and sustainable production.
What is Interregional Innovation?
Interregional innovation means cooperation between regions or territories to develop, test, and scale new solutions. RIVCircular uses this approach to strengthen innovation ecosystems across Europe.
What are Eligible Costs?
Eligible costs are project expenses that meet the programme’s funding rules. Research organisations may receive up to 70% of eligible costs for non-commercial activities.
What is Recoverable VAT?
Recoverable VAT is value-added tax that an organisation can reclaim. Recoverable VAT is not eligible for public funding under this call.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be legally registered and operating in the Kyiv region of Ukraine.
Eligible applicants include:
- Public bodies
- Private bodies
- Universities
- Research centres
- Corporations
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Other business organisations
Applicants must carry out their primary project activities within the Kyiv region.
Funding Amount and Rules
The total budget available under the call is €12,350,000.
Each entity may request up to €600,000 in total.
This limit applies even if the same entity submits multiple proposals across different thematic topics.
Research organisations may receive up to 70% of eligible costs for non-commercial activities.
Recoverable VAT is not eligible for public funding.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Regional Eligibility
Check that the organisation is legally registered and operating in the Kyiv region.
Step 2: Confirm Applicant Type
Ensure the applicant fits one of the eligible categories, such as public body, private body, university, research centre, corporation, SME, or business organisation.
Step 3: Select a Thematic Topic
Choose the topic that best matches the proposed circular economy solution.
Step 4: Develop the Innovation Project
Prepare a project that clearly advances circular economy goals and strengthens regional or interregional innovation.
Step 5: Define Activities in Kyiv Region
Show that the primary project activities will be carried out within the Kyiv region.
Step 6: Prepare the Budget
Make sure the total request per entity does not exceed €600,000.
Step 7: Check Cost Eligibility
Confirm that costs follow the programme rules, including VAT and research organisation funding limits.
Step 8: Submit the Proposal
Submit the application according to the RIVCircular Interregional Innovation Call requirements.
Why It Matters
The RIVCircular Cascade Funding programme helps Ukraine strengthen circular economy innovation and regional resilience.
It matters because it supports:
- Waste reduction
- Resource efficiency
- Circular business models
- Sustainable reconstruction and industrial development
- Innovation in the Kyiv region
- Cooperation with European innovation ecosystems
- Recycling and reuse solutions
- Digital transformation for circular economy systems
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without legal registration in the Kyiv region
- Planning primary project activities outside the Kyiv region
- Requesting more than €600,000 per entity
- Submitting a project unrelated to the five thematic topics
- Including recoverable VAT in the public funding request
- Ignoring the 70% funding limit for research organisations’ non-commercial activities
- Providing a weak circular economy rationale
- Submitting unclear project activities or budgets
- Failing to show interregional cooperation value
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly connect the project to one of the five thematic topics.
- Explain the circular economy challenge being addressed.
- Show how the project reduces waste or improves reuse, recycling, or resource efficiency.
- Demonstrate benefits for the Kyiv region.
- Highlight cooperation with innovation ecosystems where relevant.
- Prepare a realistic budget within the €600,000 limit.
- Clearly separate eligible and ineligible costs.
- Explain how the solution can be scaled or replicated.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is RIVCircular Cascade Funding?
It is a Horizon Europe-backed cascade funding programme supporting circular economy innovation projects in participating European regions, including the Kyiv region of Ukraine.
What is the total budget available?
The total budget under the call is €12,350,000.
How much can each entity request?
Each entity may request up to €600,000 in total, even if it submits multiple proposals.
Who can apply in Ukraine?
Public and private bodies, universities, research centres, corporations, SMEs, and other business organisations legally registered and operating in the Kyiv region may apply.
Where must project activities take place?
The primary project activities must be carried out within the Kyiv region.
What topics are supported?
The call supports construction and demolition waste circularity, circular energy integration using local waste streams, EV battery recycling and reuse, circular textile solutions, and digital circular economy solutions.
Are research organisations eligible for full funding?
Research organisations may receive funding of up to 70% of eligible costs for non-commercial activities.
Conclusion
The RIVCircular Cascade Funding Open Call offers major support for circular economy innovation in the Kyiv region of Ukraine. With a total call budget of €12,350,000 and up to €600,000 available per entity, the programme supports projects in construction waste, circular energy, EV battery reuse, textile circularity, and digital solutions that strengthen regional innovation and European cooperation.
For more information, visit RIVCircular.
