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Open Call: Bioremediation of Ukraine’s Conflict-Affected Ecosystems

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Deadline: 17-Sep-2026

The European Commission is inviting research and innovation proposals to develop and deploy advanced bioremediation and ecosystem restoration solutions in areas of Ukraine affected by armed conflict. The initiative supports the assessment, monitoring, and remediation of soil, water, and air contamination using biotechnology, nature-based solutions, artificial intelligence, Earth observation technologies, and ecosystem restoration approaches.

With a total funding budget of €11 million and expected grants of €5–6 million per project, the programme aims to support Ukraine’s environmental recovery, biodiversity restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable reconstruction in alignment with key European Union environmental strategies.

Programme Overview

The European Commission has launched a Horizon Europe funding opportunity to support innovative research and demonstration projects focused on restoring ecosystems damaged by conflict-related contamination in Ukraine.

The programme seeks to address environmental degradation caused by armed conflict, including pollution of soil, water resources, and air quality. Through advanced biotechnologies, nature-based solutions, and digital monitoring tools, funded projects will contribute to environmental recovery while supporting Ukraine’s long-term economic and social reconstruction.

The initiative aligns with European environmental priorities, including biodiversity protection, ecosystem restoration, pollution reduction, climate resilience, and sustainable development.

Funding Information

Key funding details include:

The funding supports large-scale collaborative projects capable of delivering measurable environmental restoration outcomes in conflict-affected regions.

Programme Objectives

The primary objective is to restore ecosystems damaged by armed conflict while supporting Ukraine’s environmental and economic recovery.

Key objectives include:

Projects should generate practical solutions that can be scaled across multiple contaminated sites.

Why This Programme Matters

Armed conflicts can leave long-lasting environmental damage that affects ecosystems, agriculture, water resources, public health, and economic recovery.

In Ukraine, environmental contamination has emerged as a major challenge requiring coordinated scientific, technological, and policy responses.

This programme is important because it:

The initiative recognizes that environmental restoration is essential for both ecological recovery and community wellbeing.

Key Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following priority areas:

Proposals should integrate scientific innovation with practical implementation.

Understanding Bioremediation

Bioremediation is the use of living organisms or natural biological processes to remove, neutralize, or reduce environmental contamination.

Common bioremediation approaches include:

These approaches are often more sustainable and cost-effective than conventional remediation methods.

Nature-Based Solutions for Ecosystem Recovery

Nature-based solutions use natural processes and ecosystems to address environmental challenges.

Examples include:

Such approaches can simultaneously improve biodiversity, climate resilience, and environmental quality.

Expected Project Activities

Funded projects are expected to undertake a range of research, testing, and demonstration activities.

Potential activities include:

Projects should combine scientific excellence with practical implementation.

Advanced Technologies Supported

The programme encourages the use of advanced digital and scientific technologies to improve restoration effectiveness.

Relevant technologies include:

These technologies can improve contamination detection, prioritization, monitoring, and decision-making.

Contamination Assessment Requirements

A core component of funded projects is the identification and assessment of environmental contamination.

Projects should evaluate:

Assessment methodologies should support evidence-based remediation planning.

Demonstration and Pilot Activities

A strong emphasis is placed on real-world implementation.

Projects should:

Demonstration activities should provide evidence that solutions can be replicated in other affected regions.

Community and Stakeholder Engagement

Community participation is a critical element of the programme.

Projects should actively engage:

Stakeholder engagement helps ensure that restoration efforts address local priorities and generate sustainable outcomes.

Policy and Governance Impact

Projects are expected to generate recommendations that support environmental policymaking and reconstruction planning.

Expected outputs may include:

These outputs should support Ukrainian authorities, EU institutions, and international recovery partners.

Alignment with European Strategies

The programme supports several key European policy frameworks.

These include:

Projects should demonstrate alignment with these strategic priorities.

Consortium Requirements

Applicants are encouraged to form multidisciplinary and multi-actor consortia.

Potential consortium members include:

SME participation is strongly encouraged to support innovation and implementation.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility is open to a broad range of applicants under Horizon Europe rules.

Eligible entities include:

Applicants must meet all Horizon Europe eligibility requirements.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Failure to complete registration requirements may affect participation.

How to Apply

Step 1: Review the Call Documentation

Carefully study the programme objectives, eligibility conditions, and expected outcomes.

Step 2: Build a Strong Consortium

Assemble a multidisciplinary partnership that includes scientific, technical, environmental, and implementation expertise.

Step 3: Identify Priority Restoration Areas

Select relevant conflict-affected sites and define restoration challenges to be addressed.

Step 4: Develop an Innovation Strategy

Design remediation and restoration approaches that integrate biotechnology, nature-based solutions, and monitoring technologies.

Step 5: Prepare Impact Assessments

Include environmental, social, economic, and policy impact evaluations.

Step 6: Complete Registration Requirements

Register participating organisations and obtain Participant Identification Codes (PICs).

Step 7: Submit the Proposal

Prepare and submit a complete Horizon Europe application before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Projects that combine innovation with practical implementation are likely to be more competitive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoiding these issues can strengthen proposal quality and impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the total budget available under this call?

The European Commission has allocated €11 million for this funding opportunity.

How much funding can individual projects receive?

Projects are expected to receive between €5 million and €6 million each.

What types of contamination are covered?

The programme focuses on soil, water, and air contamination resulting from armed conflict.

What are nature-based solutions?

Nature-based solutions use natural ecosystems and ecological processes to address environmental challenges while delivering biodiversity and climate benefits.

Is field testing in Ukraine required?

Yes. The programme places strong emphasis on demonstration activities and real-world testing in selected areas of Ukraine.

Are SMEs eligible to participate?

Yes. SME participation is strongly encouraged to strengthen innovation and implementation capacity.

Can international organisations apply?

Yes. International organisations and eligible legal entities from participating countries may apply under Horizon Europe rules.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s €11 million funding call represents a major investment in Ukraine’s environmental recovery and long-term resilience. By supporting innovative bioremediation technologies, nature-based restoration approaches, advanced monitoring systems, and stakeholder-driven implementation, the programme aims to restore damaged ecosystems, strengthen biodiversity protection, and contribute to sustainable reconstruction. Projects that combine scientific excellence, practical field demonstrations, community engagement, and policy relevance will play a vital role in rebuilding Ukraine’s environmental future.

For more information, visit EC.

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