New funding program for socio-economic businesses worth 10 million euros
Vienna (OTS) – The The Climate Protection Ministry is providing a total of 41 million euros in funding for circular economy projects for 2024 available. Circular economy, i.e. the most economical use, reuse and recycling of valuable resources, is an important cornerstone in the fight against the climate crisis. At the end of 2022, the federal government decided on a national circular economy strategy, which will now be further implemented with this funding track.
In addition to project funding for sustainable design, the recycling of textiles or the further processing of waste, there is also a… new funding track specifically for socio-economic companies (SÖB) established that work in the area of circular economy. These companies are non-profit social enterprises that provide jobs for people who are remote from the labor market and have long-term unemployment. In addition to investments, these companies can also support training measures for employees, for example.
One Submission is due by July 15th or until the funds are exhausted.
The four funding categories at a glance:
- Investments related to the Development (feasibility study) and implementation of sustainable design and the design of Production processes, products and product use in the sense of the circular economy – circular design
- Investments related to sustainable design, sustainable production, reuse and recycling of textiles including bed mattresses
- Investments related to the material recycling of waste from the construction sector or for the building materials industry as well as with the material recycling of fiber composite materials. Systems for recycling glass fiber reinforced plastics
- Investments, intangible measures and ongoing costs related to collection, sorting, preparation for Reuse, ReUse and Refurbishment of textiles, furniture and electrical and electronic devices (aimed at socio-economic companies)
For the 10 million euros are available for project category one, 21 million euros for categories two to three and 10 million euros for project category four.
Further information at: https://www.umweltfoerderung.at/betriebe
Submissions of funding applications are available online in project categories 1 – 3 www.meinefoerderung.at/webforms/kreislauf and in project category 4 above www.meinefoerderung.at/webforms/soeb possible.
Quote from Federal Minister Leonore Gewessle:
“The transformation towards a sustainable economy not only requires an energy transition, but also a raw materials transition. In the future, no industry or economic sector will be able to ignore the circular economy. We want to be at the forefront here and support companies with their projects. It is particularly important that we can also support specifically socio-economic businesses with this funding – because they are already making a valuable contribution to conserving resources and thus helping in the fight against the climate crisis.”
Questions & Contact:
BM for climate protection, environment, energy, mobility, innovation and technology
Uta Hauft
Press spokesperson for the Federal Minister
+43 1 71162-658114
uta.hauft@bmk.gv.at
https://www.bmk.gv.at