The European Union has set itself as one of its main priorities for the coming years to combat climate change and environmental degradation. With these enemies in mind, Brussels has drawn up a new strategy and road map that it has called the European Green Deal (or Green Deal).
Thus, its action plan includes the promotion of efficient use by moving to a clean and circular economy and restoring biodiversity and reducing pollution. The goal is for the European Union to be climate neutral by 2050, without greenhouse gases.The European Green Deal understands that in order to achieve the objective, it is necessary, among other things, invest in environmentally friendly technologies and support the industry to innovate. This is where innovative startups and companies with a certain sustainability component can play a fundamental role.
Grants for sustainable businesses
In this regard - and as part of Horizon 2020 of the European Union - a call has been launched to support them economically under the name of European Green Deal or Green Deal.This includes 10 different areas, with 8 of them thematic and 2 horizontal. Thus, companies that are working on climate ambition, clean, affordable and safe energy, industry for the circular economy, efficient buildings, sustainable mobility, farm-to-table technologies, biodiversity and ecosystems and zero pollution can benefit from it.
Two horizontal ones that cover many fields
Projects that have to do with strengthening knowledge and empowerment of citizens will also be considered, such as horizontal. To be more specific, Brussels will focus its investment in the first area on those companies that improve research infrastructures, develop products and services for all stakeholders and citizens, supporting climate adaptation and all those tools that make the ocean more accessible. The second horizontal will include those projects that improve European capacities for deliberation. and citizen participation in the Green Deal, those who facilitate behavioral, social and cultural change for this Green Deal and those that enable citizens to act on climate change and protect the environment through education, citizen science, observation initiatives and civic engagement.
Deadline and funding
The total amount of aid amounts to 1 billion euros, to be distributed among all projects.. The EU has not clarified what will be the minimum and maximum amount it will allocate to each chosen project. The deadline for applying for the grant opened on September 22 and the deadline that has been set is Next January 26, 2021.The projects that are selected for the call are expected to start in the fall of next year. More: The environment, a niche and an added value for startups
