Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The RIVCircular Cascade Funding Open Call provides financial support for innovation projects that advance circular economy solutions in the Madrid region of Spain. The call has a total budget of €12,350,000, with each eligible entity able to request up to €600,000 across one or more proposals.
Overview
The Regional Innovation Valleys for Circular Economy (RIVCircular) project is co-funded by the European Commission under Horizon Europe.
The programme aims to strengthen cooperation between participating territories, address innovation gaps across the European Union, and support circular economy development through targeted cascade funding.
In Spain, the open call supports eligible applicants based in the Madrid region that can implement circular economy innovation activities within the region.
Key Details
- Programme: RIVCircular Cascade Funding Open Call
- Country: Spain
- Region: Madrid
- Funding framework: Horizon Europe
- Funding type: Cascade funding grant
- Total call budget: €12,350,000
- Maximum funding per entity: €600,000
- Eligible applicants: Public bodies, universities, research centres, corporations, SMEs, and other business entities
- Indirect costs: Up to 20% for Madrid-based entities
- Recoverable VAT: Not eligible
Focus Areas
The programme supports innovation projects that strengthen circular economy systems and interregional collaboration.
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
- Sustainable resource management
- European regional cooperation
Thematic Funding Areas
The open call provides cascade funding under five thematic areas.
1. Construction and Demolition Waste Circularity
This topic supports solutions that reduce, reuse, recycle, or recover value from construction and demolition waste.
2. Circular Energy Integration Using Local Waste Streams
This topic supports energy solutions that use local waste streams as part of circular energy systems.
3. Electric Vehicle Battery Recycling and Reuse
This topic supports projects focused on recycling, repurposing, reusing, or extending the life of electric vehicle batteries.
4. Circular Textile Economy Solutions
This topic supports circular models for textile production, reuse, repair, recycling, and waste reduction.
5. Digital Innovations for Circular Economy Transitions
This topic supports digital tools, data systems, platforms, and technologies that help improve circular economy practices.
Key Concepts Explained
What is Cascade Funding?
Cascade funding is a mechanism where an EU-funded project provides financial support to third-party applicants. Under RIVCircular, eligible organisations receive grants to implement innovation projects aligned with circular economy priorities.
What is Circular Economy?
Circular economy is a model that keeps products, materials, and resources in use for as long as possible. It reduces waste through reuse, repair, recycling, redesign, and sustainable resource management.
What is Interregional Innovation?
Interregional innovation refers to cooperation between different regions or territories to develop and scale solutions. RIVCircular uses this approach to strengthen connections across European innovation ecosystems.
What Are Indirect Costs?
Indirect costs are overhead costs linked to project implementation but not directly assigned to a single activity. These may include administration, office operations, utilities, management support, or general project coordination.
What is Recoverable VAT?
Recoverable VAT is value-added tax that an organisation can reclaim. It is excluded from funding eligibility under this call.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must be legally based in the Madrid region and must operate and implement project activities within the region.
Eligible applicants include:
- Public bodies
- Universities
- Research centres
- Corporations
- Small and medium-sized enterprises
- Other business entities
Applicants must also comply with relevant national eligibility requirements.
Funding Amount and Cost 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 entity submits multiple proposals across different topics within the same call.
Madrid-based entities may include indirect costs of up to 20%.
Recoverable VAT is not eligible for funding.
Subcontracting costs are not included when calculating indirect costs.
How to Apply
Step 1: Confirm Regional Eligibility
Check that the applicant is legally based in the Madrid region and will implement activities within the region.
Step 2: Confirm Applicant Type
Ensure the entity is an eligible applicant type, such as a public body, university, research centre, corporation, SME, or business entity.
Step 3: Select a Thematic Area
Choose one of the five supported circular economy themes that best matches the proposed innovation project.
Step 4: Develop the Project Concept
Prepare a project that clearly supports circular economy development, sustainable resource management, and innovation ecosystem strengthening.
Step 5: Prepare the Budget
Ensure the total funding requested per entity does not exceed €600,000.
Step 6: Check Cost Eligibility
Confirm that recoverable VAT is excluded and indirect costs are calculated correctly.
Step 7: Address Interregional Cooperation
Explain how the project contributes to cooperation between participating territories or strengthens innovation ecosystems.
Step 8: Submit the Proposal
Submit the proposal according to the RIVCircular open call requirements.
Why It Matters
The RIVCircular Open Call helps accelerate circular economy solutions in Madrid and across participating European regions.
It matters because it supports:
- Waste reduction
- Resource efficiency
- Circular business models
- Sustainable industrial innovation
- Regional innovation ecosystems
- European interregional cooperation
- Cleaner energy and material systems
- Digital tools for circular transitions
- Long-term sustainability and competitiveness
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying without being legally based in Madrid
- Planning activities outside the Madrid region
- Requesting more than €600,000 per entity
- Submitting a project outside the five thematic areas
- Including recoverable VAT in the funding request
- Including subcontracting costs in indirect cost calculations
- Providing unclear project activities or budget details
- Failing to show circular economy relevance
- Ignoring interregional cooperation objectives
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly link the proposal to one of the five thematic areas.
- Explain the circular economy challenge being addressed.
- Show how the solution reduces waste or improves reuse, recycling, or resource efficiency.
- Demonstrate regional benefits for Madrid.
- Include realistic project activities and costs.
- Explain innovation value and scalability.
- Clarify indirect cost calculations.
- Highlight cooperation with other regions or innovation ecosystems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RIVCircular Cascade Funding Open Call?
It is a Horizon Europe-supported funding opportunity for circular economy innovation projects in participating regions, including Madrid, Spain.
How much funding is available?
The total budget available 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 submitting multiple proposals.
Who can apply in Madrid?
Public bodies, universities, research centres, corporations, SMEs, and other business entities legally based in the Madrid region may apply.
What topics are supported?
The call supports construction and demolition waste circularity, circular energy integration, EV battery recycling and reuse, circular textile economy solutions, and digital circular economy innovations.
Are indirect costs eligible?
Yes. Madrid-based entities may claim indirect costs of up to 20%, but subcontracting costs are not included in indirect cost calculations.
Is recoverable VAT eligible?
No. Recoverable VAT is excluded from funding eligibility.
Conclusion
The RIVCircular Cascade Funding Open Call supports circular economy innovation in the Madrid region of Spain through grants of up to €600,000 per entity. By funding projects in construction waste, circular energy, EV batteries, textiles, and digital circular economy solutions, the programme strengthens regional innovation, sustainable resource management, and interregional cooperation across Europe.
For more information, visit RIVCircular.