The European ECIV (European Circular Innovation Valley) project aims to create an interregional ecosystem within the European Union to transform value chains, with the goal of developing and delivering new circular solutions to the market. The initiative focuses on mission-oriented approaches in the regions involved.

General Objectives:

• Generate growth and sustainable development in participating regions.
• Harness economic opportunities of circularity by creating new markets, business opportunities, and circular value chains.

The ECIV project will create a “dance floor” where stakeholders and innovation ecosystem groups can connect to propose solutions to the challenges posed by circular transformation, focusing on our main industrial value chains.

Duration and Budget:

The project starts in September 2024 and will last for 5 years (Sept. 2024 – Aug. 2029).
It has a total budget of €27,162,498, with co-financing from the Horizon Europe program amounting to €13,579,061.51.

Fundable Projects

Two co-financed calls will be launched to develop interregional collaborative innovation projects focused on circular proposals (TRL 6-7) by mission. The first call will open in January 2026, and the second will close by the end of 2026.
Additionally, there will be a specific fund for experimental projects.

Partner Regions and Other Entities

The project involves 19 partner regions from 9 European territories. It is coordinated by the Department of Industry, Ecological Transition, and Digital Business of the Government of Navarra, supported by Sodena, and locally linked to the Navarra Zirkular initiative.

The rest of the consortium includes:

• Northern Netherlands Alliance (NNS)
• Province of Groningen (GRO)
• Province of Friesland (FRY) 
• Province of Drenthe (DTH)
• University of Groningen (UGRO)
• Friesland Innovation Foundation (SIF)
• Province of Dalarna (DAL)
• Province of Värmland (VÄR)
• Province of Gävleborg (GAV)
• Province of Normandy (NOR)
• Ministry of Innovation and Development of Bulgaria (MIGB)
• Lithuanian Innovation Agency (IAL)
• Province of Helsinki-Uusimaa (HURC)
• Scottish Enterprise (SE)
• Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde (IBioIC)
• ACR+ (Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management)

Contact Person:

María Pedrosa: mpedrosa@sodena.com