Introducing circular economy models in the construction sector, from buildings to city scale

Di cosa tratta questo bando?

The topic funds tools, solutions and business models that bring circular economy practice to construction at building, district and city scale. Solutions must be demonstrated in at least three cities.

Cosa finanzia questo bando?

Scope

Applying circularity in construction at building, district and city level can cut whole life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions, improve resource efficiency and help deliver climate-neutral, smart and circular cities. The topic seeks tools, solutions and business models with market potential that support inclusive circular construction and more efficient use of buildings, reducing the need to extract raw materials.

What proposals are expected to address

Proposals are expected to address all of the following:

• Develop and demonstrate district or city level tools that introduce circularity in construction and quantify their impact, for example urban mining, reuse and recycling of products and materials, secondary biobased materials, adaptive design, renovation and repurposing of buildings.
• Develop solutions to diagnose and characterise used construction products and demolition waste for reuse, create inventories of reclaimed products and materials, and design business models including marketplace tools and material banks.
• Develop whole life-cycle greenhouse gas inventories of buildings to support decisions in line with the recast Energy Performance of Buildings Directive.
• Help reduce regulatory barriers and develop standards where relevant.
• Integrate value chains and involve construction stakeholders, policy makers and affected people, including SMEs, building owners, local authorities and civil society.
• Demonstrate the solutions in at least three cities.

Expected outcomes

A measurable increase in district or city level tools supporting circular models in construction; a measurable reduction in material use and more reuse and recycling through replicable business models; and a measurable reduction in energy and resource use and in life-cycle emissions of residential and non-residential buildings. The topic contributes to the Cities Mission, the New European Bauhaus, the People-centric Sustainable Built Environment partnership and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative. Proposals should include a dedicated clustering task and joint dissemination on the relevant platforms. Activities are expected to reach technology readiness level 7-8 by the end of the project.

Quando scade il bando?

8 ottobre 2026

8 October 2026. This is a single-stage call.