Call for Eco-Innovators and Changemakers: EyesOnLife Contest

Deadline: 5-Jun-25

The EyesOnLife contest has officially launched its call for applications, inviting changemakers, innovators, and civil society organisations from the Southern Mediterranean to showcase their contributions to a more sustainable future.

Organised under the umbrella of the European Union’s efforts to promote sustainable development and environmental resilience, this fourth edition of the contest is jointly organised by the EU Neighbours South programme, DG MENA, MedWaves (the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for Sustainable Consumption and Production), with the support of the European Training Foundation (ETF), SPARK, WES-BCA, Interreg NEXT MED and Expertise France.

At the heart of this edition is the Circular Economy, a key pillar of the European Green Deal and a powerful lever for addressing the three interlinked environmental crises of their time: climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss. The EyesOnLife contest will award the best Circular Economy initiatives in Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.

Funding Information

• One prize will be awarded for each main category (Businesses/CSOs):
  • Cash Prize: €2,000 provided by DG MENA.
  • Innovation Voucher: €2,000 voucher for external technical services or training, provided by MedWaves, the UNEP/MAP Regional Activity Centre for SCP.
• An External Technical Assessment will be conducted by MedWaves to identify the most suitable consultancy services.

Eligibility Criteria

• The contest is open to two main categories of applicants:
  • Sustainable Businesses
    • Applicants must be early- or growth-stage enterprises from one of eight eligible countries that are:
      • Connected to an EU-funded project (as a partner, associate partner, or beneficiary)
      • Clearly integrating Circular Economy strategies such as eco-design, eco-innovation, and sustainable resource management into their business models
  • Civil Society and Community-Based Organisations
    • Applicants must be legally registered non-profit organisations from one of eight eligible countries that are:
      • Connected to an EU-funded project (as a partner, associate partner, or beneficiary)
      • Leading initiatives that address environmental and social challenges using Circular Economy and Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) principles

For more information, visit Interreg NEXT MED.