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The European Commission invites applications for projects that demonstrate fully sustainable regional bioenergy value chains and high‑efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The program supports renewable power and heat generation using upgraded solid biofuels derived from biogenic residues and wastes, with a focus on regional value creation, socio‑economic and environmental sustainability, circularity, industrial resilience, biodiversity protection, soil carbon retention, and low‑emission energy systems.

Projects must showcase operational CHP plants with a capacity between 10 MWe and 30 MWe, ensuring continuous, cost‑effective, and low‑pollution performance. Activities should include innovative preprocessing and upgrading technologies, advanced supply chains, and comprehensive life cycle analyses to avoid negative impacts on biodiversity, water balance, air quality, and soil carbon stocks. Feedstock providers such as farmers, foresters, and municipalities are expected to play an active role in strengthening local value chains.

The program encourages demonstration of retrofit solutions, exclusion of fossil fuel co‑firing, and strong exploitation strategies supported by feasibility studies, business planning, and scalability approaches. Projects should estimate greenhouse gas and air pollutant reductions, present local business cases for job creation, and contribute to knowledge sharing through bioenergy clusters. Involvement of social sciences and humanities expertise is required to ensure socio‑economic sustainability, alongside gender‑sensitive and intersectional approaches for inclusive solutions.

Applicants are encouraged to contribute to Ukraine’s reconstruction by supporting regional bioenergy value chains and involving Ukrainian beneficiaries where appropriate. The total available funding is €13,500,000, with an indicative grant size of approximately €6,750,000 per project.

Eligibility

Applications are open to any legal entity, regardless of place of establishment, including entities from non‑associated third countries and international organisations. Proposals must comply with the Horizon Europe Regulation and the specific call requirements. Projects will be evaluated on their ability to demonstrate sustainable solid biofuel value chains, operational high‑efficiency CHP plants, socio‑economic and environmental sustainability, scalability, and effective exploitation strategies.

Post Date: August 09, 2026