C4B Open Call for Sustainable Business Solutions

The C4B Open Call provides funding of up to €60,000 per project to help businesses validate, adapt, and scale innovative business models within bioeconomy value chains. With a total budget of €480,000, the programme supports SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organisations working on the valorisation of forestry and agri-food by-products through sustainable and circular bioeconomy solutions.

What is the C4B Open Call?

The C4B Open Call is a funding initiative designed to support organisations in testing and adapting innovative business models developed through the C4B Project for real-world application.

The programme helps businesses evaluate whether these business models are feasible in different commercial settings, adapt them to local needs, and generate evidence that supports wider adoption across the European bioeconomy.

Projects are expected to demonstrate how innovative business models can contribute to sustainable resource use, circular economy practices, and the valorisation of agricultural and forestry by-products.

Program Overview

Programme Name: C4B Open Call
Programme Type: Bioeconomy innovation funding
Total Budget: €480,000
Maximum Funding: €60,000 per project
Project Duration: Up to 12 months
Eligible Applicants: SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, research organisations, and small consortia
Geographic Coverage: EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries

Funding Amount

The programme provides:

Up to €60,000 per selected project
Total call budget of €480,000
Maximum implementation period of 12 months

Funding is intended to support business model validation, adaptation, feasibility assessment, and activities that strengthen the commercial potential of sustainable bioeconomy solutions.

Programme Objectives

The C4B Open Call aims to:

Validate innovative bioeconomy business models.
Assess business model feasibility.
Adapt business models to different business environments.
Improve scalability and replicability.
Encourage commercial adoption.
Strengthen circular bioeconomy value chains.
Generate evidence for policy recommendations.
Promote sustainable and fair business growth.
Increase the valorisation of forestry and agri-food by-products.

The programme bridges the gap between innovative business concepts and commercial implementation.

Focus Areas

Projects should contribute to one or more of the following areas:

Bioeconomy innovation
Circular economy
Business model validation
Business model adaptation
Business model scalability
Business model replicability
Sustainable business development
Forestry by-product valorisation
Agri-food by-product valorisation
Biorefinery applications
Bio-based products
Resource efficiency
Sustainable value chains
Policy development

Projects should demonstrate practical approaches for applying business models in real business settings.

Scope of Supported Projects

The call focuses on the valorisation of by-products from forestry and agri-food sectors.

Forestry Value Chains

Eligible activities include the use of woody by-products from:

Forestry operations
Sawmilling

Potential outputs include:

Biocarbon
Volatile aromatic compounds
Pyrolysis oil

Projects should demonstrate sustainable approaches to converting forestry residues into higher-value products.

Agri-Food Value Chains

Supported projects may focus on agricultural or food processing by-products used to produce:

Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF)
Furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA)
Polyphenols
Bioactive ingredients
Biochar

Examples include the valorisation of:

Agricultural residues
Food processing by-products
Winemaking residues

These activities contribute to waste reduction and greater resource efficiency.

Business Model Validation Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

Feasibility studies
Market validation
Business model adaptation
Scalability assessments
Replication planning
Barrier analysis
Opportunity assessment
Commercial implementation planning

Projects should generate practical evidence demonstrating how business models can succeed under different market conditions.

Policy and Knowledge Development

In addition to commercial validation, the programme seeks to:

Identify barriers to implementation.
Understand market drivers.
Generate lessons for policy development.
Promote sustainable scaling practices.
Support fair and responsible bioeconomy growth.

These insights will contribute to future policy recommendations supporting Europe’s bioeconomy.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include legal entities such as:

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs)
Start-ups
Spin-offs
Research organisations

Applicants should have the technical and organisational capacity to implement the proposed project.

Consortium Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by:

A single organisation, or
A consortium of up to three partners

Each consortium should clearly define partner roles and responsibilities.

Geographic Eligibility

Applicants must be established in:

European Union Member States
EU Overseas Countries and Territories
Horizon Europe Associated Countries

Projects should comply with all programme eligibility requirements.

Ineligible Applicants

The following are not eligible:

Partners of the C4B Consortium
Applicants submitting more than one proposal

Each applicant or consortium may submit only one application.

What Makes a Strong Proposal?

Competitive proposals generally demonstrate:

Innovative business model application.
Clear commercial potential.
Strong technical feasibility.
Sustainable bioeconomy impact.
Circular economy benefits.
Practical implementation strategy.
Scalability and replication potential.
Realistic work plan.
Strong consortium expertise where applicable.

Projects that combine scientific innovation with commercial viability are particularly encouraged.

How to Apply

Follow these steps when preparing your proposal.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure your organisation or consortium meets all legal and geographic eligibility requirements.

Step 2: Identify the Business Model

Select an appropriate C4B business model to validate and explain its relevance to your business case.

Step 3: Develop Your Project Plan

Describe:

Project objectives.
Business case.
Validation methodology.
Expected outcomes.
Scalability strategy.
Replication potential.
Timeline.

Step 4: Prepare the Budget

Develop a realistic budget that aligns with eligible project activities and the maximum funding limit.

Step 5: Submit Your Proposal

Complete and submit the application according to the programme guidelines before the deadline.

Why This Call Matters

Europe’s transition toward a sustainable bioeconomy requires business models that are both environmentally responsible and commercially viable.

The C4B Open Call helps organisations:

Reduce waste.
Increase resource efficiency.
Develop circular business models.
Improve commercial innovation.
Strengthen sustainable value chains.
Support bio-based industries.
Promote industrial transformation.
Generate practical knowledge for policy development.

The programme contributes to a more competitive and sustainable European bioeconomy.

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid the following mistakes:

Choosing projects outside the programme scope.
Providing weak commercial validation plans.
Presenting unrealistic implementation schedules.
Failing to explain scalability.
Ignoring replication potential.
Submitting incomplete consortium information.
Providing insufficient evidence of technical feasibility.

Well-developed proposals with strong implementation strategies are more likely to succeed.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

To strengthen your proposal:

Clearly explain the business problem being addressed.
Demonstrate the value of the selected business model.
Present measurable validation activities.
Show commercial and environmental benefits.
Include a realistic implementation timeline.
Explain how the model can be replicated elsewhere.
Highlight the expertise of your organisation or consortium.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who can apply for the C4B Open Call?

Eligible applicants include SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organisations established in eligible European countries. Applications may be submitted individually or by consortia of up to three partners.

How much funding is available?

Projects may receive up to €60,000, with a total programme budget of €480,000.

What is the maximum project duration?

Projects may run for up to 12 months.

What types of projects are supported?

The programme supports projects that validate, adapt, and scale innovative business models related to the valorisation of forestry and agri-food by-products.

Can organisations apply as a consortium?

Yes. Applications may be submitted by a consortium of up to three partners.

Which sectors are covered?

The call focuses primarily on forestry and agri-food value chains, particularly projects involving biorefineries, bio-based products, circular economy solutions, and sustainable resource utilisation.

What makes a competitive proposal?

Strong proposals clearly demonstrate business model feasibility, commercial potential, scalability, sustainability, realistic implementation plans, and measurable impacts within the bioeconomy sector.

Conclusion

The C4B Open Call offers an important opportunity for SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, and research organisations to validate and commercialise innovative business models that strengthen Europe’s circular bioeconomy. With funding of up to €60,000 for projects lasting up to 12 months, the programme supports practical solutions that transform forestry and agri-food by-products into valuable resources while promoting sustainable business growth, innovation, and long-term environmental impact.