RFAs: Baltic MUPPETS Innovation Call

This is your chance to collaborate, innovate, and help shape the future of sustainable mussel farming. Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute to a project that’s making a real difference for the environment and the economy!

Challenges

• The following section outlines the specific challenges and opportunities available for applicants in two key areas:
  • Cluster 1 – Testing and Piloting Activities
  • Cluster 2 – Feasibility Studies, Market Strategies, and Business Plans.
  • These clusters focus on developing innovative solutions for mussel farming and mussel-based products, ultimately creating high value pet food products, with a strong emphasis on testing, market readiness, and scaling up promising ideas.
    • Challenge 1.1: Test solutions for submerged farms – Assessment of durability and stability of ropes (Sweden).
    • Challenge 1.2: Test solutions for submerged farms – Regulatory requirements, such as marking systems to document ownership. (Denmark).
    • Challenge 1.3: Pilot the solution for submerged farms – New logistic solutions for harvested mussels. (Sweden).
    • Challenge 2.2: Strategy to increase consumer acceptance for mussel products.
    • Challenge 2.3: Go-to-market strategy with assessment of willingness to pay for mussel products.
    • Challenge 2.4: Recommendation for certification to improve mussel production.
    • Challenge 2.5: Sales of goods and services from mussel farming.

Benefits

• Direct Collaboration
  • Work alongside experienced partners in your region, benefiting from cutting-edge submerged farming techniques and expertise in mussel production and pet food innovation.
• Real-World Application
  • Test and pilot your ideas in real-world conditions, with access to Baltic MUPPETS’ mussel farms and other facilities to validate and scale your innovations.

Funding Information

• Receive up to €50,000 to develop and pilot one of challenges.

Eligible Countries

• Applicants should be legally registered in the regions covered by the Baltic Muppets Consortium, including partners & associated partners regions:
  • Sweden
    • Stockholm
    • Småland och öar
    • Södra Sverige
  • Germany
    • Berlin
    • Schleswig-Holstein
  • Denmark
    • Sjælland
    • Midtjylland
    • Nordjylland
  • Estonia
    • Eesti
  • Ireland
    • Northern and Western.

Eligibility Criteria

• This section describes in detail who can apply and what conditions should be met by the submitted proposal.
  • The Baltic Muppets Innovation Call is open to single applicants as an SMEs/start-up (Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises).
  • Micro, small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) will be considered eligible ONLY if complying with the Commission Recommendation 2003/361/EC and the SME user guide.
  • In summary, the criteria which define an SME are:
    • The headcount in the Annual Work Unit (AWU) is less than 250.
    • Annual turnover less or equal to €50 million OR annual balance sheet total less or equal to €43 million.
  • Start-ups that do not have yet an annual turnover or balance sheets are also considered eligible given that they fulfill the criteria (a) and (b) at submission time.
  • Applicants will be considered eligible if they comply will the following rules:
    • Applicant fulfils the conditions for SME or start-up.
    • Applicant has not been declared bankrupt or has initiated bankruptcy procedure.
    • Applicant has not been convicted for fraudulent behaviours, other financial irregularities, unethical or illegal business practices.
    • Applicant is not under liquidation or an enterprise under difficulty according to the Commission Regulation No 651/2014 art. 2.18.
    • Applicant has not been excluded from the possibility of obtaining EU funding under the provisions of both national and EU law, or by a decision of both national or EU authority.
  • Each applicant can submit only one proposal. At the application stage, the criteria of time will be applied, as only the last submitted proposal to the F6S platform is going to be taken into consideration for further analysis.
  • Each applicant can only address one challenge mentioned.
  • Applications for the Baltic Muppets Innovation Call must be submitted in English. Submissions in any other languages will be considered ineligible and will not be evaluated.
  • The total budget per proposal project may not exceed €50.000,00. Also, the total amount requested must represent 100% of the total project costs.
  • Proposals will not be accepted from entities who are partners (beneficiaries) or affiliated entities/ linked-third parties to the Baltic MUPPETS consortium, or who are formally linked in any way to them.

For more information, visit European Union.