Call for Project Proposals: Green and Competitive Nordic Region

The Innovative Solutions for 2030 program focuses on helping to speed up the green transition, demonstrating measurable effects by 2030, with outputs such as new solutions, partnerships, strengthened value chains, or business models, and prioritizing projects that contribute to faster commercialization of new solutions, green transition in sectors with a high impact on climate and environment, and projects demonstrating a high level of market readiness. The focus areas are using new solutions by promoting sustainability, economic resilience, and new ways of working to accelerate the green transition in sectors with high impact on climate and environment; commercialization and market introduction by positioning the Nordic region as an attractive early market to support emerging businesses and the implementation of new green solutions and technologies; and accelerating sustainable circular economic systems by increasing the application of circular business models and optimizing the use of resources, including organic materials and waste streams, to enable more sustainable and biobased economies. The Nordic Forward: Resilience and Competitiveness for 2050 program aims to strengthen the Nordic region’s long-term competitiveness and resilience through enabling technologies and strategic collaboration structures, including robust cross-border value chains, deep-tech ventures, and data-driven ecosystems. Its focus areas are mobilizing Nordic stakeholders around the development, application, and strategic management of critical technologies and facilitating joint efforts with Nordic added value; strengthening technological capabilities in the Nordics to overcome great societal challenges; supporting strategic innovation projects that address resilience, sustainability, and regional integration or security of supply; and establishing long-term innovation structures that drive commercialization and competitiveness.

This call for proposals is part of Nordic Innovation’s broader commitment to making the Nordics the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The call allocates NOK 30 million in total, divided between the two programs. Each project may apply for funding between NOK 2 million and NOK 6 million, provided it is matched by at least 50% co-funding from project participants. Co-funding may include direct financial contributions or in-kind support through working hours.

Eligible applicants include companies, clusters, ecosystems, public sector bodies, business networks, innovation institutions, and consultancies. Projects must involve participants from at least three Nordic countries, and the involvement of industry partners will be a key evaluation criterion. International partners outside the Nordic region may participate but cannot receive funding.

Evaluation will be based on four key criteria: impact (40%), quality and relevance (25%), implementation (25%), and budget and value for money (10%). Projects should demonstrate tangible change, value creation, and contribution to the Nordic Vision 2030. They must also provide an exit strategy to ensure sustainability and impact after project completion.

Eligible project costs include working hours, external services, equipment, materials, travel, meetings, and communication, but not regular operating expenses.

For more information, visit Nordic Innovation.