Developing raw materials into a major strength for Europe

Minerals, metals and advanced materials are key enablers to achieve the objectives of the European Green Deal. Today, only a fraction of the most relevant raw materials is produced in Europe. This can be changed through a circular economy approach, through innovation in recycling, substitution, processing, mining, and exploration. It is the objective of EIT RawMaterials to secure a sustainable raw materials supply by driving innovation, education, and entrepreneurship across European industrial ecosystems.

EIT RawMaterials comprises over 300 partners and provides a collaborative environment for disruptive and breakthrough innovations by connecting business with academia, research, and investment. It also invests in future generation of innovators for the raw materials sector through initiatives ranging from education of school students to higher qualifications for industry professionals.

Strengthening sustainable innovation ecosystems across Europe

We must strengthen Europe’s sustainable innovation ecosystems to increase our resilience, reducing dependencies on critical raw materials and introducing resource-efficient lifecycles to new products. Europe has all the expertise to make this happen.

This year, we have introduced an update to the Lighthouse programmes to reflect the most pressing needs of the raw materials value chain. New topics now cover Circular Societies, Sustainable Materials and Responsible Sourcing. Specifically, we are looking for new proposals on:

  • Upscaling: the proposal should address at least one of the 10 proposed topics related to the three Lighthouses programmes.
  • Higher Education: the focus shall be on PhD schools addressing selected topics of the three Lighthouses.
  • Lifelong Learning: the focus shall be on demand-driven proposals in four selected thematic areas.

The Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) remains a strong focus of our KAVA* call. RIS projects are a great platform to foster collaboration and boost innovation in the region. Please note, all the submitted proposals should support financial sustainability.

* KIC Added Value Activity (KAVA)

** Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC)

Creating synergies and added value within Horizon Europe

We encourage our partners, as well as non-partner organisations from the three sides of the knowledge triangle that wish to join our community, including start-ups and SMEs, to submit new project proposals that will generate a significant impact on European industrial competitiveness, innovation capacity and human capital, as well as empower students and entrepreneurs driving towards the circular economy, the digital transition and the contribution towards the EU Green Deal goals.

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