Innovative solutions for the sustainable and beautiful use of vertical space – Förderung EU-weit

Expected Outcome: Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: • Higher availability of innovative solutions for vertical space[1] use on the market. • The application of innovative solutions for vertical space use allows for a more efficient use of the existing built environment[1] and provides green spaces and/or affordable housing in neighbourhoods[1]. Scope: The increased demand for housing and thus land can conflict with the need to preserve and restore nature and biodiversity in our neighbourhoods. Rethinking the way we use existing buildings and applying a smart and efficient use of space is thus crucial to limit urban sprawl. There is therefore a need to develop solutions that make use of the under-used and un-used vertical space above our streets and buildings. Urban vertical farming, community gardens on rooftops, vertical extensions and other alternative multifunctional structures making use of these spaces might be suitable solutions to high-quality, sustainable[1] and affordable housing and green spaces while limiting land use. However, if not carefully planned and integrated, these solutions might face challenges such as social acceptance, regulatory barriers, and hold risks of excessive densification, neighbourhoods profound alteration as well as environmental risks. Proposals are expected to address all of the following: • Develop and demonstrate at least one innovative solution that makes use of the un-used or under-used vertical space above buildings and/or streets in a beautiful[1] and sustainable manner to improve the availability and affordability of housing and / or provide more green spaces. • Integrate circularity principles[6] to the solution(s) developed. • Assess the life cycle environmental social and economic impacts of the proposed solution(s) with appropriate methods. • If relevant, minimize and mitigate the negative effects of densification. • Assess the potential for the proposed solutions to contribute to a reduction in demand for land use. • Identify and address the regulatory, technical and societal barriers to the implementation of the proposed solution(s) and propose solutions to overcome them. Proposals are expected to follow a participatory[7] and transdisciplinary approach[1] through the integration of different actors and disciplines and to involve the local community[1] and, if relevant, cultural and creative industries, in the co-creation[1] of the solution(s) developed. Proposals are expected – to the extent possible – to contribute to the urban greening goals set out in the Nature Restoration Regulation. In order to achieve the expected outcomes, international cooperation[11] is encouraged. This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH)[1] disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities. Proposals are expected to allocate at least 0.8% of their budget for engaging with the Horizon Europe-funded 'New European Bauhaus hub for results and impact' to share their intermediate and final results, findings and learning, as well as to contribute to impact assessment. Technology Readiness Level - Technology readiness level expected from completed projects Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-8 by the end of the project – see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL. [1] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [2] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [3] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [4] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [5] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [6] See definition of ‘Circular economy’ in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [7] See definition of “participatory process” in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [8] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [9] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [10] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. [11] International cooperation and participation of countries beyond EU Member States, associated countries, or third countries under the Horizon Europe programme. [12] See definition in the Glossary section of the NEB part of the HE WP26-27. ">General conditions 1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. 2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. 3. Other Eligible Conditions described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. 5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf]]. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme] Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE RIA, IA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE RIA, IA)  Guidance HE Programme Guide  Model Grant Agreements (MGA) Lump Sum MGA  Call-specific instructions  Detailed budget table (HE LS)  Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?" Additional documents: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 13. New European Bauhaus Facility (NEB) HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual  Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions  Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement