ZINNAE is a partner in UPSTREAM, a Horizon Europe project (GA No. 101112877) dedicated to the monitoring, prevention, collection and valorisation of plastics and microplastics in rivers and connected waters. As part of this initiative, the project has just published its 2nd Open Call – Prevention & Zero-Waste, open since 16 June 2026.

What is this call about?

This second open call, with a total budget of €140,000, aims to support regional and local authorities in designing and trialling circular and zero-waste measures that prevent plastics from entering rivers and seas. Between 2 and 3 projects are expected to be funded, with a maximum grant of €70,000 per application in lump-sum format and an implementation period of 8 months.

Who can apply?
Regional or local public authorities (or bodies directly representing them) located in associated regions of EU Member States or Associated Countries are eligible, provided they do not belong to the UPSTREAM consortium countries or to regions already funded under the 1st Open Call.

Eligible activities
Projects must contribute to UPSTREAM’s objectives through actions such as:
• Substitution and sustainable procurement measures
• Producer responsibility and zero-waste supply chain pilots
• Behaviour-change campaigns
• Nature-based solutions in river and urban environments
• Monitoring and digitalisation of plastics in rivers
• Citizen science and open data

Deadlines and how to apply
Applications must be submitted by 17 August 2026 at 17:00 CET, by sending the application form (Annex A), the Declaration of Honour (Annex D) and legal documentation to OpenCall@upstream-project.eu

All information, guidelines and forms are available on the project’s official website: http://upstream-project.eu/open-call-2-prevention-zero-waste