Open Call for "Associated Regions"
Replication and exploitation of the RHE-MEDiation technological
solutions in the Associated
Regions
Apply now
Seize the chance to take the lead in monitoring and remediating chemical pollution in the
Mediterranean and its waters!
We are pleased to launch the Open Call for Associated Regions of the RHE-MEDiation Project in March 2025
Do you want to engage in replicating the innovative RHE-MEDiation solutions towards monitoring and reducing chemical contaminants of emerging concern in water resources?
The RHE-MEDiation Open Call for Associated Regions (OC4ARs) invites Regional and local authorities located in EU Member States and Associated Regions to propose their replication sites, to showcase the feasibility, replicability and scale-up of the RHE-MEDiation solutions and expand the number of use cases acting as demonstration sites.
Potential participants should address the objectives of the RHE-MEDiation Project and assess the replicability, exploitability and up-scale of its technological solutions. Applicants should be located in EU Member states and Associated regions, not represented by the partners of the Consortium.
A total amount of €500,000 in our Open Call for Associated Regions (OC4ARs) is targeted to financially support 5 replication projects within the Associated Regions that are willing to take the lead in restoring and protecting their waters.
Submit your application to join the RHE-MEDiation program and develop the skills necessary to revive our water ecosystems!
Background
The RHE-MEDiation project, funded by the EU Mission “Restore our Oceans and Waters”, falls under the
“Mediterranean Lighthouses”, with a focus on regional engagement and cooperation for supporting the
work of policymakers by providing low-energy and high circularity remediation solutions for
chemically polluted Mediterranean confined waters (known as HOT SPOTs) based on tailored microalgae,
along with modalities and tools for chemicals monitoring and control in the water, and by proposing
citizens empowerment in the cleaning process and culture.
For this purpose, the RHE-MEDiation Project has established three strategic goals:
- Prevent chemical pollution in waters reaching the Mediterranean Sea from land, and address environmental challenges with innovative solutions along the entire discharge networks;
- Minimize and control pollution by enabling prompt reactions in the Mediterranean HOT SPOTs, promoting data sharing with stakeholders at demo sites;
- Eliminate and remediate existing polluted HOT SPOTs by working at the source of major pollution discharge to enable a return to a ‘Good Environmental Status’ in the long term through improved dilution conditions.
In the framework of WP5, the RHE-MEDiation Project is managing a lean financial support scheme to allocate funds to selected replication sites, thus complementing the exploitation activity of the RHE-MEDiation technologies by sharing knowledge to maximise future implementation opportunities. Detailed objectives of the Open Call are: Scouting of interest in the Associated Regions other than those already involved in the project; Develop the grant contracts with the selected Third Parties; Support the selected Third Parties in the development of the replication strategy and the creation of an associated roadmap. Ensure the adequate monitoring of grant spending and support to grantees and; Support the Third Parties to up-scale from local to national.
RHE-MEDiation Open Call for Associated Regions in brief
What do you gain?
per replication site to showcase the feasibility, replicability and scale-up of RHE-MEDiation technological solutions in the proposed replication site.
Technical advisory services for developing roadmaps, plans, and projects tailored to prevent, eliminate, and remediate chemical pollution in targeted regions based on specific needs.
The funded Authorities will be matched with RHE-MEDiation project demo cases, enabling them to closely follow demonstration activities and learning outcomes.
Selected projects will be supported to promote the exploitation of the roadmap to be endorsed at the National level, to upscale the level of interest for other potential replication sites in the same territory/Nation.
Activities considered for funding (for the full list visit the Guidelines document)
Eligible applicants
Applicants to RHE-MEDiation Open Call for Associated Regions are local and/or regional authorities from an “Associated Region”, not represented by the partners of the Consortium.
The proposals should ensure that the Associated Regions are in Member States/Associated countries other than those that are part of the project Consortium. An “Associated Region” shall benefit from the Financial Support to Third Parties provided under this topic call only once.
What are local and regional authorities: Local and regional Authorities from an Associated Region are legal entities, including bodies representing a regional/local Authority (such as regional/local agencies, regional planning bodies, regional/local transport authorities, etc…), who can showcase the feasibility, replicability and scalability of the solutions developed in the RHE-MEDiation Project. Please be aware that the applicant must investigate the legislation in its Country and provide the necessary official evidence that it is defined as a local or regional Authority, to be eligible. Similarly, higher education and research institutions can apply only if they have the legal status of local or regional Authorities and can provide evidence of this status.
What is an “Associated Region”: “Associated Regions” are understood as areas with similar ecosystems (e.g., neighbouring regions and/or regions in a different river basin) and/or less-developed regions, with the view to build capacity to implement the innovative solutions to restore freshwater ecosystems. Associated regions should be located in Member States/Associated Countries other than those that are part of the RHE-MEDiation Consortium.
Eligible Countries: Local and/or regional Authorities from EU Member States and Associated countries to the Horizon Europe Programme are eligible. Please check the list of the EU Member States and Associated countries eligible for HE support, directly on the EC website.
Non-eligible Countries: Countries in which the RHE-MEDiation Project partners are based, such as Belgium, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Türkiye.
Timeline
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March 31st - May 31st, 2025
Application Period
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June/July 2025
Evaluation & Selection
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August 31st, 2025
Contracting
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September 2025 - May 2026
Project Implementation
How to apply
Open Call Documentation
Below is a list of essential documents available for download, along with a brief description of their purpose:
Informative Webinar Recordings – Open Call for Associated Regions
To support potential applicants, the RHE-MEDiation project held two informative webinars covering the technical and administrative specifications of the open call for associated regions. These sessions provide essential guidance on the application process, eligibility criteria, and key requirements.
You can watch the recordings on our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RHE-MEDiationproject/videos
For further information
Contact us at opencall@rhemediation.eu