C4B Open Call for Pilot Projects

The C4B Open Call supports pilot projects that demonstrate, tailor and assess circular bio-based business models in real business settings. The scheme aims to validate fair, sustainable and scalable models for valorising forestry, agri-food and peatland by-products, while strengthening cooperation between primary producers, industry and other value-chain actors.

The C4B Open Call for Pilot Projects is a practical opportunity for entrepreneurs and organisations that want to bring circular bio-based business models into real market settings. The call supports pilots that valorise by-products from forestry, agri-food and peatland value chains, such as woody residues, potato residues, apple pomace, grape pomace, cereal residues and wetland biomass. It is especially relevant for SMEs, start-ups, spin-offs, research organisations, groups of farmers, foresters, primary producers, biorefineries, agricultural and forestry industry actors, bio-based industry stakeholders and sector organisations.

Selected projects can receive up to €60,000, with a 100% funding rate through a lump sum mechanism. The funding is intended for projects that are not merely theoretical, but demonstrate feasibility in a real business case. Applicants may come from EU Member States, including the Netherlands and Germany, as well as Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Both individual applicants and consortia are possible; if a consortium is used, it may include a maximum of three partners and must appoint one lead applicant. Cross-border cooperation is therefore allowed, but it is not mandatory.

For Tech.Land entrepreneurs, the call is most relevant where circular economy, bio-based production, advanced manufacturing, agri-food residues, regional value chains or industrial symbiosis are involved. The strongest proposals will tailor a C4B business model to a concrete business case and assess at least two feasibility aspects, such as technological, economic, governance, environmental or social feasibility. Applicants should preferably start from at least TRL 4–5, so the call is best suited for concepts that are already technically and commercially credible. In addition to financial support, selected beneficiaries receive capacity-building support, including information sessions, coaching and networking.

Administrative obligations include submitting the proposal in English through the official online system, respecting the 10-page limit for the technical part, signing a sub-grant agreement if selected, joining quarterly online progress meetings, submitting interim and final reports, sharing data for validation analysis and participating in capacity-building activities. Actual costs such as timesheets and invoices do not have to be reported for payment purposes, but beneficiaries must demonstrate that the technical implementation has been completed. This makes the call attractive for entrepreneurs that want relatively light financial administration combined with a clear obligation to deliver and report on concrete pilot results.

The grant is provided as a lump sum covering 100% of eligible costs up to €60,000 per project, so beneficiaries are not required to report actual costs such as timesheets or invoices for payment. Eligible expenditure must relate to the implementation of the pilot project activities, including tailoring a C4B business model to a specific business case and assessing feasibility aspects such as technological, economic, governance, environmental or social feasibility. Costs must support the technical implementation of the agreed action during the project period; activities outside the approved pilot or outside the project period are not eligible.

Selected pilot projects are expected to start on 1 January 2027. Projects may run for up to 12 months and must be completed no later than 31 December 2027.

Companies with an interest in the program can get more support via the TECH.LAND partners. For more information, please contact:

Vincent Bökkerink
Project Developer and funding TECH.LAND
X-Border Cooperation North Westphalia & East Netherlands
https://techland.org/
bokkerink@techland.org
+31 6 51 98 75 07