The European Commission launched a call which is targeted particularly at SMEs that have developed an innovative green product, process or service, which is struggling to find its place in the market. Therefore, businesses and entrepreneurs from across Europe can apply for funding to help bring novel environmental projects to the market.

The call for proposals on eco-innovation launched by the European Commission intends to help bring novel environmental projects to the market with €34.8 million in new funding. According to the Commission, the call is open to eco-innovative products, techniques, services and processes that aim to prevent or reduce environmental impacts, or which contribute to the optimal use of resources. The call for applications is open until 6 September 2012, and around 50 projects will be selected for funding.

Some 50 projects are now set to launch from last year's call, and over 140 projects are already underway. Examples of current schemes include converting old discarded TVs into tiles, new waste sorting mechanisms, innovative eco- packaging for milk, and a new technique for recycling textiles. This year's call offers co-funding to cover up to 50% of the project cost which has to cover one of the five main priority areas: materials recycling, water, sustainable building products, green business, or the food and drink sector.

The Competitiveness and Innovation Programme (CIP) covers with its funding this call and has a budget of approximately €200 million for 2008 to 2013. It supports technologically-proven products which help make better use of Europe's natural resources. Eco-Innovation is a green strand of the CIP and contributes to the Eco-Innovation Action Plan (EcoAP).