Innovation and funding opportunities for businesses and ecosystem stakeholders
NODES Spoke 2 highlights calls and tools supporting the green transition and circular economy
NODES Spoke 2 - Green Technologies & Sustainable Industries monitors and highlights funding opportunities, public notices, and support tools aimed at businesses, Third Sector entities, and innovation ecosystem stakeholders interested in developing projects with high environmental, urban, and industrial impact.
This section was created to serve as a point of reference for those operating in the sectors of ecological transition, circular economy, industrial symbiosis, and sustainable design, in line with the research and innovation trajectories promoted by Spoke 2.
Below are the currently open opportunities
1. 📌 Public Notice: “Culture and entrepreneurship embedded in the circular economy and urban fabric”
City of Turin - PN METRO Plus
On December 10, 2025, the City of Turin presented the Public Notice “Culture and entrepreneurship embedded in the circular economy and urban fabric” funded by the National Program PN METRO Plus, with a total allocation of over 1.8 million euros in non-repayable grants.
The Notice is aimed at SMEs and Third Sector Entities, individually or in partnerships (up to 5 subjects), intending to develop circular innovation projects with high urban impact to be implemented within the Metropolitan City of Turin, with primary activities located in the city.
Strategic Areas
Projects must focus on at least one of the following areas:
- Urban-scale circular supply chains for the recovery, transformation, and valorization of discarded materials and goods
- Reuse infrastructure, including logistical, digital, and service solutions for collection, repair, reuse, and recycling;
- Sustainable design, featuring durable, repairable products and processes with reduced environmental impact.
Contribution and Timeline
- Contribution: Up to 80% of eligible expenses.
- Project Amount: Between 70,000 and 120,000 euros.
- Project Duration: Maximum 10 months.
- Application Deadline: February 16, 2026.
As part of the support process for participants, Mercato Circolare will assist the City of Turin by offering support to businesses and entities wishing to apply.
📅 Additionally, from January 14 to February 11, every Wednesday from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 1-to-1 online Q&A sessions are available, bookable by writing to servizi@mercatocircolare.it.
👉 For all details, complete documentation, and support materials, please visit the dedicated page on the Torino City Lab website.
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2. 📌 Call for Applications: “PRE.SI. - Waste production prevention and industrial symbiosis”
FESR Regional Program 2021-2027 - Piedmont Region
The PRE.SI. - Waste production prevention, industrial symbiosis call is open, funded by the Piedmont Region PR ERDF 2021-2027, with a total allocation of 8,850,000 euros.
The call acts "upstream" of waste production, incentivizing the green transition of production processes and the spread of clean technologies, with benefits for the environment and human health.
Recipients
- Businesses and freelancer
- Third Sector entities
Areas of Intervention
Funding is available for initiatives oriented toward:
- Development of reuse networks and reuse centers;
- Waste reduction in production processes, also from an industrial symbiosis perspective;
- Maintenance, repair, and regeneration of goods;
- Reduction of food waste throughout the entire supply chain;
- Creation of production and utilization chains for by-products;
- Reduction of the hazardous nature of waste produced.
Grant Details
- Non-repayable grant up to 85% of eligible costs.
- Aid scheme: de minimis (Reg. EU 2831/2023).
- Procedure: "Sportello" (first-come, first-served) basis.
Deadlines
- Applications open: December 15, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
- Closing: May 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM.
👉 For all details, complete documentation, and support materials, please consult the dedicated page.
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3. 📌 Information Webinar on the MATCHIN Call – 5 million euros for SMEs to hire researchers
Piedmont Region | FESR Regional Program 2021–2027
The Sistema dei Poli di Innovazione del Piemonte invites you to participate in the informative webinar dedicated to the MATCHIN Call - Mobilizing Advanced Talents for Competence and High Innovation. This tool is promoted by the Piedmont Region to support innovation in SMEs through the inclusion of highly qualified figures from the research world.
The initiative is part of the PR FESR 2021-2027 and provides a total allocation of 5 million euros, with the goal of:
- Strengthening internal company skills;
- Fostering structured collaboration between the production system and the research world;
- Supporting high-value-added innovation processes.
When and Where
Date: February 10, 2026
Time: 11:00 A.M. - 12:30 P.M.
Format: Online on the Zoom platform.
🎯 Why participate
The webinar is designed to provide operational information and concrete clarifications to businesses interested in submitting a high-quality application. Specifically, it will be possible to:
- Engage with Piedmont Region representatives on objectives, evaluation criteria, and application procedures;
- Dialogue with Piedmontese Universities, potential partners for establishing agreements aimed at hiring researchers;
- Deepen the support role of the Hub System, with specific guidance on defining and drafting the project report, a strategic element for an effective application.
ℹ️ More information on the call.
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4. 📌 How circular is your company? Find out with CirclePlatform
University of Turin | CircleMED Project – Interreg Euro-MED Programme
CircleMED is a European project funded by the Interreg Euro-MED Programme that supports the transition towards circular and sustainable production and consumption models across Mediterranean territories, through the active involvement of businesses, research institutions and local stakeholders.
Within the CircleMED framework, the University of Turin is developing CirclePlatform, a digital tool designed to help companies measure and improve their circularity performance, in line with the new ISO 59020 standard.
🔍 What CirclePlatform offers
Through a simple and quick online questionnaire, CirclePlatform provides:
a report on the overall level of company circularity;
a structured overview of key areas for improvement;
a dashboard supporting strategic decision-making in a circular economy perspective.
CirclePlatform is free of charge and will remain available to companies beyond the testing phase.
🏢 Who can participate
- Italian companies interested in assessing and strengthening their circular transition pathways.
📩 How to join
Companies interested in participating can express their interest by writing to:
📧 edoardo.braccio@unito.it
Participants will gain early access to the platform, create their company profile, monitor circularity performance over time, and provide feedback to further improve the tool.
ℹ️The public Call and the application form, to be completed by 15 April 2026, are available as attachments.
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5. 📌 Where the circular economy meets investors: BioInvestIT is coming to Turin
BioInvestIT Roadshow | 2i3T Business Incubator
The BioInvestIT Roadshow is stopping in Turin thanks to the collaboration with 2i3T - the Business Incubator of the University of Turin.
The event is aimed at startups, companies and researchers developing biotech solutions related to circular economy, sustainability and applied innovation, offering an opportunity to present projects to investors and key players in the innovation ecosystem. Projects selected by a local jury will gain direct access to the Investor Arena Meeting, scheduled for 14 May 2026 in Milan.
🔍 What BioInvestIT offers
Through a simple and quick online questionnaire, CirclePlatform provides:
A chance to meet investors directly
Visibility and networking
The opportunity to be selected for the Investor Arena Meeting in Milan (14/05/2026)
🏢 Who can participate
- Startups
- Companies
- Researchers
with biotech projects and solutions linked to circularity, sustainability and innovation.
ℹ️ Key information
🗓️ When: 3 March 2026
🕙 Time: 10:00 – 13:00
📍 Where: 2i3T headquarters - Aula Mendel (Via Nizza 52, Turin)
ℹ️ More info and the application forms are available on the website.
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6. 📌 Want to turn your research into a sustainable value model? Join the Research Booster Porgramme
2i3T and University of Turin | Research Booster Programme
Research Booster is a programme designed for PhD candidates, temporary research staff and researchers interested in innovation and entrepreneurship in the agri-food sector, with the goal of providing practical methods and tools to turn research results into a sustainable value models. The sessions (held in Italian) combine plenary talks, hands-on exercises, case histories, and activities also focused on developing communication tools.
🔍 What Research Booster offers
A 4-session pathway, including modules on:
Innovation, technology transfer, patents and spin-offs
Funding tools (calls, projects, and collaboration with companies)
Design Thinking and the Business Model Canvas
Market research, business planning, and skills to engage with stakeholders (including a short pitch)
🎓 An open badge will be awarded to participants who attend at least 80% of the sessions.
🏢 Who can participate
- PhD candidates
- Temporary research staff
- Researchers
interested in innovation and entrepreneurship in the agri-food field.
ℹ️ Key information
🗓️ When: 10/03, 17/03, 24/03, 31/03/2026
🕙 Time: 09:00 – 13:00
📍 Where: Biblioteca Diffusa, Grugliasco Campus (Largo P. Braccini 2, Grugliasco - TO)
ℹ️ More info and the application forms are available on the website.
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🔎 Opportunities being updated
This page will be updated with new funding opportunities, public notices, and useful tools for businesses and innovation actors interested in the themes of NODES Spoke 2.
📩 To report other opportunities to be integrated: spoke2.nodes@unito.it
