Circular Flanders - Focused call 'Shared use' - Innovative Circular Economy Projects

Research

What?

Flanders Circular/OVAM invites partnerships of local authorities, enterprises, research institutions and organisations to submit experimentation, demonstration and dissemination projects that market alternating and thus shared use of physical products by alternating users, or will improve, scale up, make existing systems more user-accessible and/or affordable. This can be both B2C and B2B. The shift from possession to use is a systemic challenge, requiring an integrated approach. In other words, it is a call for collaboration and a chain approach to achieve a (mind)shift for shared use. This shift should contribute to reducing the material footprint.

This requires a multidisciplinary approach and collaboration between companies, finance, knowledge institutions, governments and civil society.

Criteria:

• Innovation
• Economic, social and societal relevance, impact and scalability
• Relevant partnering in and across the chain and based on cooperation
• The learning, demonstration and dissemination value of the project

Projects whose main objective is fundamental research and/or pure product development are not covered by this call. Exclusive investment applications, sharing of energy, sharing of services, leasing, packaging reuse and just a communication campaign are also excluded. 

Flanders Circular (OVAM) subsidises up to 80% of a project, with a maximum of 100,000 euros. 
Keep in mind that state aid rules apply. However, since the given exemption article in the call text doesn't apply to UHasselt, it is important to submit only proposals without economic activities. If not, 20% of co-financing must be covered with private funds.

Approved projects must start before 31 December 2025 and last for a maximum of 24 months.
  

Who?

This call focuses on partnerships of organisations and companies from the social pentagon (knowledge, finance, business, government and civil society) to enable collaboration within a value chain.  The partnership must consist of at least 2 organisations/companies. Activities within 1 company are not covered by this grant call; for this, please refer to the VLAIO instruments.

The call funds projects with social added value, the results of which will be shared in the wider community and can have a multiplier effect on the roll-out of circular principles. In this way, Flanders Circular aims to accelerate the transition to a circular society.
  

Application?

The deadline for submission is: Thursday 11 September 2025 at 16:00.
Internal deadline: 4 September 2025

You can find the application form on the Circular Flanders website.
  

More information?

You can find more information on the Circular Flanders website.

Please contact research@uhasselt.be if you want to apply.
  

Deadline intern

04.09.2025, 11.09.2025

Contact Hasselt University?

E-mail sarah.szyr@uhasselt.be

Tel. +3211269052