Advancing circular logistics solutions in cities
EU grant for developing and piloting circular urban logistics solutions to reduce waste, optimize resources, and foster city collaboration through innovative packaging, digital tools, and policy recommendations.
Funder: European Commission
Due Dates: October 7, 2027
Funding Amounts: €22,500,000 total; ~€7,500,000 per project; 3 grants expected; project duration typically 36–48 months
Summary: Supports development and demonstration of circular logistics solutions in cities to reduce waste, optimize resources, and foster stakeholder collaboration.
Key Information: Consortium must include at least three cities from different EU/Associated countries, one of which is a Mission city.
Description
This Horizon Europe Innovation Action aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy within urban logistics. The focus is on reducing packaging waste, optimizing resource use, and lowering carbon emissions associated with city freight transport. Funded projects are expected to design and demonstrate innovative, modular, reusable, and recyclable packaging and loading units, develop digital tools for tracking and optimizing logistics, and integrate reverse logistics to enhance reuse and recycling rates.
The initiative encourages collaboration among local authorities, logistics providers, retailers, and consumers to foster circular business models. Real-world pilots in multiple cities will test these solutions across various product value chains (e.g., textiles, electronics), with comprehensive evaluation of environmental, social, and economic impacts. Projects are also required to co-create policy recommendations and guidelines to support the adoption of circular economy principles in urban logistics, and to actively collaborate with the Cities Mission Platform, CIVITAS, and the Circular Cities and Regions Initiative.
