ECOS Environmental Research Enhancement Grants

Demonstrating and deploying innovative collection, sorting-for-reuse and repair systems for textiles at city/region level (Circular Cities and Regions Initiative topic) is sponsored by European Commission — Horizon Europe. Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: local/regional authorities and their operators adopt optimised collection and sorting systems of municipal waste that prioritise textile reuse and repair; social economy entities and society at large benefit from favourable conditions for reuse and repair practices which enable product lifetime prolongation and stimulate second-hand markets; citizens have access to better information, leading to greater awareness and public acceptance, and stimulating behavioural change towards sustainable consumption; innovative circular textile methodologies, practices and solutions are made available to enable large-scale replication and upscaling in European cities and regions; businesses are stimulated to advance repair strategies and circular business models while creating new jobs. Scope: This topic supports the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). It is part of a series of CCRI-related topics funded under Horizon Europe with the aim of accelerating place-based innovation, boosting skills and capacities as well as supporting the implementation of solutions for a circular systemic transition at city/region level. The implementation of circular systemic solutions reduces environmental impacts and contribute to the preservation of biodiversity, by decreasing the extraction of primary raw materials and minimizing waste generation. Proposals should: develop, test and validate innovative solutions that accelerate the adoption of textile reuse and repair practices by local/regional authorities and their operators (e.g. public collection points, retailer take-back schemes); involve citizens, local (e.g. upcycling) businesses and social enterprises in the development and implementation of local repair & reuse strategies and practices; improve data captured on local textile waste flows and ensure transparency and traceability across the supply chain; develop solutions for sorting, and preparing for re-use, including digital solutions (in view of the implementation of digital product passport) and AI to enable repair and affordable pricing of repaired clothes and to stimulate reuse of textiles, particularly apparels; incentivise manufacturers to provide spare parts to enhance reuse and reparability (e.g. linen for a coat, extra buttons, zippers, etc.) and to provide extended guarantee. develop actionable recommendations for replication in other European cities and regions. Proposals must use the multi-actor approach and take into account a gender sensitive and inclusive approach. Collaboration between retailers/manufacturers and small repair business and social enterprises is encouraged. Proposals should seek to contribute to the goals and cooperate with the services of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and in particular with the CCRI Coordination and Support Office. Joint activities with other CCRI-related projects and clustering with other related projects is strongly encouraged. Proposals should also evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness and impact of the demonstrated solutions using robust evaluation methods (including lifecycle assessments such as product environmental footprint, where relevant) and present data and evidence about the economic, environmental and social costs and benefits of the developed solutions. The topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. The topic supports the European Green Deal, the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation and its working plan, the upcoming Circular Economy Act and contributes to Europe’s efforts to develop a single market for sustainable products. It also contr Programme areas: Horizon Europe (HORIZON), Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness, Food, Bioeconomy Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, Circular Systems Keywords: Business model innovation, Circular economy, Climate change mitigation, Competitiveness, innovation, research and development, Design innovation, Ecodesign, Life Cycle Analysis, Environment, Environment, Pollution & Climate, Environment, resources and sustainability, Environmental change and society, Environmental protection, Greenhouse gases, Inclusion, Industrial innovation policy, Industrial sectoral change, Innovation policy, Innovation strategies, Innovation systems, Knowledge and Technology transfer, Knowledge transfer, Natural resources and environmental economics, New business opportunities, New industrial value chains, Organizational innovation, Polymers and plastics, Process innovation, Product innovation, Public sector innovation, Regional development, Regulatory framework for innovation, Related to industrial policy, Related to regional development, Resources efficiency, Social Networks, Social innovation, Sustainable design (for recycling, for environment, eco-design), Sustainable innovation, Technological innovation, Textiles, Textiles including synthetic dyes, colours, fibres, Urban studies, regional studies, Waste, Waste management, Waste recycling, circular economy, place-based innovation, product refurbishment, textiles reuse