As well as supporting public authorities, NGOs, universities and institutes, the LIFE programme helps commercial companies bring their green products, technologies, services and processes to the market.

These so-called close-to-market projects launch innovative, demonstrative solutions that offer clear environmental and/or climate benefits. Examples could be in waste management, the circular economy, resource efficiency, water, air or climate change mitigation.

These projects also have a high level of technical and business readiness. This means that solutions could be implemented in close-to-market conditions (at industrial or commercial scale) during the course of the project or shortly after its completion.

The LIFE programme has been instrumental in supporting green innovations and cleantech solutions across Europe since its beginnings in 1992. As well as co-funding each project, the LIFE financial instrument helps with the commercialisation of innovative solutions, easing their entry into the market.

A dedicated team with extensive business and financial experience is on hand to support close-to-market projects via a variety of services such as:

• Business plan development advice
• Business coaching – project strategy and business set-up with emphasis on the project’s commercial development and sustainability post-LIFE funding
• Presentation guidance – training on how to communicate with potential investors
• Expert connections – e.g. connecting projects with intellectual property rights (IPR) specialists
• External debt financing – identifying debt financing options (loans, guarantees) and financing institutions

Applicants for close-to-market projects can apply in the areas of climate change mitigation and adaptation and circular economy and quality of life. Check out the available Calls for proposals and submission deadlines HERE.

Examples of LIFE close-to-market projects:

LIFE C4R (Carbon 4 Retail Refrigeration) – Reducing greenhouse gases by substituting the synthetic fluorinated refrigerants (HFCs) with CO2 in the commercial refrigeration sector

LIFE YEAST – Recycling brewers´spent yeast in innovative industrial applications

LIFE+ DIGITALIFE – A novel manufacturing process for photocatalytically activate ceramic tiles by digital printing

Does your project fit this description? Send us your questions or schedule a meeting with our NCP advisors via life@mingor.hr.