Netherlands Launches €2.5 Million EKOO Subsidy for Circular Construction
Utrecht, Monday, 21 April 2025.
Starting 6 May 2025, the EKOO subsidy opens with €2.5 million in funding for innovative projects in circular construction, offering up to €500,000 per project to foster sustainable development.
Innovative Focus Areas
The EKOO initiative, formerly known as KIA CE, targets specific sectors within construction and infrastructure, including residential buildings, concrete bridges, and road surfaces [1]. Notable exclusions from the funding scope are prefabricated construction elements and biobased building projects, allowing the program to focus on other innovative circular applications [2]. The subsidy aims to stimulate projects that traditional market structures have not yet embraced, fostering creativity in sustainable construction solutions [1].
Collaborative Requirements
To qualify for funding, projects must involve partnerships between businesses and research organizations, with at least one commercial enterprise as a mandatory participant [3]. The subsidy covers various innovation aspects, including technological research, consumer behavior studies, and business model development [2]. This structure aligns with the Netherlands’ broader objective of achieving a fully circular economy by 2050, with an interim target of reducing primary raw material demand by 50% by 2030 [4].
Application Process and Support
The application window runs from 6 May through 21 August 2025, with funds allocated through a competitive tender process where the highest-scoring proposals receive priority funding [1]. To support potential applicants, the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) will host an information session in Amersfoort on 8 May 2025, offering detailed guidance on the program requirements and application process [5]. The session will include one-on-one consultation opportunities with advisors and networking possibilities with potential collaboration partners [5].