A total of 17 projects applied for funding through the call for proposals, under Nordic Innovation’s Nordic Sustainable Business Transformation program. The applications were assessed by an internal and external panel with representatives from all the Nordic countries. The 7 selected projects, with 48 project partners, applied for 14 426 883 NOK in total.
The projects will run from 2020 to 2022.
The aim of the call for proposals was to find projects that have the potential to generate high-impact, clear and scalable results and substantial Nordic added value. Projects with joint Nordic circular innovation that can provide solutions to local, regional and global challenges were encouraged.
"We are very pleased with the diversity of topics, activities and countries in this call. The seven selected projects all show great potential, and we see that they will contribute into strengthening the ecosystems within circular economy in the Nordics, as well as new circular processes".
Marthe Haugland, Senior Innovation Adviser at Nordic Innovation
The project applications range from handling of batteries, to textiles and metals wastes, to projects related to infrastructure in circular cities like industrial and urban symbiosis. Most projects will kick off in the autumn. The projects will all contribute to the transition to a circular economy in the Nordics through engaging partners and stakeholders as well as the general public in their work. Together with the current circular projects that have been co-financed, Nordic Innovation’s portfolio now consists of projects in important areas in the transition to the circular economy.
The 7 funded Circular Cities & New Circular Solutions projects
SATIN -Towards a sustainable textile circular system in the Nordic region
The purpose of this project is to develop and test solutions that can address the textile collection and sorting challenges by taking a Supply Chain Management (SCM) perspective. More specifically, the project will develop cost-efficient collection solutions that achieve an increased collection rate by stimulating consumers to hand in their used textiles.
Partners
Swedish National Road and Transport Research Institute (VTI), Chalmers Industriteknik, Aalto University, Aalborg Univer-sity, NTNU, Integrate, Nudie Jeans, Kruse Vaskeri, Kretslopp & Vatten, Kungälv kommun, Mölndalsstad, Göteborgsre-gionen, Trasborg,, Convert, Balder, DHL, Red Cross/Röda korset, Björk och Frihet, Better World Fashion, Avfall Sverige, TRV Gruppen AS, UFF Norge.
NSRS - Nordic Standard Sustainability Reporting for SMEs
This project aims to develop a sustainability reporting standard with the smaller companies in mind, but comparable with established international standards. The complex transformation from a linear to a circular economy will be an important element addressed in the project.
Partners
Regnskap Norge, Taloushallintoliitto, SRF Konsulerna.
CATALY(C)ST - Youth Change makers as catalysts for a transition to a sustainable circular economy
Bringing best practice from the research world, the maker communities, the youth movements and industry into one strong initiative. The main aim is to maximize value by increasing resource productivity, enhancing energy efficiency, lowering resource consumption and decreasing waste.
Partners
Technical University of Denmark DTU Skylab, NTNU Engage Centre, KTH.
Nordic Circular Hubs
The project establishes a Nordic network, aiming to support practical development of Industrial-Urban Symbiosis (IUS) practices in the Nordic regions by increasing communication and cooperation among key stakeholders. Furthermore, building on the existing experiences, Nordic Circular Hubs aims to develop a replicable “Nordic symbiosis model” for accelerated regional circular business development.
Partners
Kalundborg Symbiosis, Eyde Cluster, Paper Province, Linköping Universitet, Dans Symbiose Senter.
PROACTIVE - Towards a process of efficient and safe electric vehicle battery handling in the island Nordic countries
The aim of this project is to set up an efficient and safe process for end-of-life handling of Li-ion batteries used in vehicles in the Nordic countries, focusing on three islands: Iceland, the Faroe Islands, and Greenland.
Partners
Stiftelsen Chalmers Industriteknik, IRF - Waste management company (Faroe), Kommunala Brennistøðin (Tórshavnar Kommuna), Destructor Consulting, Hringrás ehf., Netpartar ehf., Stena Recycling A/S, ESANI A/S, Stena Recycling Interna-tional AB, Stena Recycling A/S.
Metal waste reduction at tinsmith workshops in the Nordic countries
The overall target for the project is a waste reduction of 30 % approximately 4000-5000 tons of metal a year. In addition, the project partners will also create a template for the correct implementation of recycling processes for optimal use of the metal waste sent for recycling.
Partners
VBL, Plåt og vent, Tekniq, FBE.
NTP - Nordic Transition Partnership for Climate Neutral Cities 2030
The project is looking to establish an operational Nordic partnership that aims at accelerating the transition in small and medium sized municipalities to become climate neutral by 2030.
Partners
Smart Innovation Norway, Viable Cities, Reykjavik municipality, Tampere municipality / Business Tampere.
Contact
For more information, please contact our innovation advisers below.
Elís Benediktsson
Senior Innovation Adviser
+47 947 81 243
eb@nordicinnovation.org
Hanna Törmänen
Innovation Adviser
+47 901 53 739
H.Tormanen@nordicinnovation.org
Facts about the call
Application deadline: 21 April 2020, 13.00 CET
Funding decision: 27 May 2020
Kick-off: 25 August 2020
Total budget: NOK 15 million
