Plastic pledges for a more sustainable use of plastics

The transition to sustainable plastic use requires collaboration. The environmental and climate impact of plastics occurs throughout the value chain and can rarely be reduced by a single actor. To achieve real change, companies, public actors, academia and other relevant actors need to coordinate their objective, decisions and investments.

With this call for proposals, which Vinnova is implementing together with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, we want to create the conditions for actors to jointly develop plastic promises that contribute to a more circular, resource-efficient and non-toxic use of plastic. The call for proposals consists of two different types of offers:

• Develop, test and establish plastic promises
• Scaling up existing plastic pledges.

Call for proposals 1. Develop, test and establish plastic pledges

The call for proposals is aimed at at least three organisations who together want to develop a plastic pledge for a more sustainable use of plastic.

The constellation of actors behind the pledge should represent several parts of the relevant value chain. You can search funding to gather actors, formulate joint objective and commitments and prepare for the implementation and development of the plastic pledge.

The project will result in a solid basis for a plastic pledge or a similar agreement. The result will form the basis for a scale-up in a future planned call for proposals.

The project can apply for a maximum of SEK 500,000 and may last for a maximum of 6 months.

Call for proposals 2. Scaling up existing plastic pledges

The call for proposals is aimed at those actors who have previously been granted funding to develop plastic pledges or who are already running an ongoing plastic pledge. You can apply funding to build on previous results and take the next step in implementation. The aim is to scale up plastic pledges that have potential to contribute to a more circular, resource-efficient and non-toxic use of plastic. The projects will help to get more actors involved, to anchor the pledges more broadly and to give the work better conditions to lead to concrete change in the relevant value chain.

The intervention will contribute to:

• strengthen scaling up of existing plastic pledges through coordination, follow-up and further development of joint commitments
• engage more relevant actors in the value chain and broaden the anchoring of the plastic pledge
• spread experiences, lessons learned and working methods that can inspire more actors to contribute to sustainable plastic use
• strengthen learning between those actors working with plastic pledges and create better conditions for long-term collaboration.

The project can apply for a maximum of SEK 500,000 and may last for a maximum of 12 months.

The environmental and climate impact of plastics can rarely be reduced by a single actor. The transition requires several actors in a value chain to coordinate their objective, decisions and investments.

The call for proposals is carried out by Vinnova in collaboration with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency, which is leading the government's mission on national plastic coordination. Together we want to promote the development of plastic pledges.

With the call for proposals we want to create the conditions for actors to develop common and feasible plastic pledges. The pledges will contribute to a more circular, resource-efficient and non-toxic use of plastic.

What characterizes a successful plastic pledge?

A successful plastic pledge includes:

• a clear and common problem
• business and economic drivers
• participation from relevant parts of the value chain
• a common level of ambition
• concrete and trackable commitments
• anchoring with those organisations who will implement the commitments
• connection to market needs, policy developments or upcoming legal eligibility requirements
• a credible plan for implementation and continued collaboration.

Read more about existing plastic pledges:

Plastic pledges - Swedish Environmental Protection Agency.se

Together for sustainable plastic use | Vinnova

What will the plastic pledges achieve?

We particularly want to support project where the actors has the potential to impact the relevant value chain. The projects should focus on real change and not just dialogue or knowledge building.

The project funded within the framework of Call for proposals 1. Develop, test and establish plastic pledges shall contribute to the following performance objectives:

• Relevant actors have been engaged around a commonly defined challenge.
• Consensus has been established around the problem picture, objective and the actors' commitments.
• Collaboration between actors that need to act together has been deepened.
• Obstacles and opportunities for scaling up have been identified.
• Business, organizational and regulatory conditions for scale-up have been analyzed and documented.
• A well-established basis for a plastic pledge or a corresponding agreement that can lay the foundation for a long-term and follow-upable plastic pledge has been developed and documented.

Vinnova is planning for another call for proposals in 2027 to scale up the plastic pledges financed in call for proposals 1. Funding in this call for proposals does not, however, give any guarantee for funding in the upcoming call for proposals, but the conditions will be stated in the upcoming the call for proposals.

Call for proposals 2. Scaling up existing plastic pledges should contribute to the following performance goals:

• Existing plastic pledges have been further developed to enable concrete change in the affected value chains.
• More relevant actors have been involved in scaling up the plastic pledge.
• Knowledge, experiences and working methods from the plastic pledge have been documented and made available to other relevant actors.
• The conditions for long-term collaboration and learning between actors working on the plastic pledge have been strengthened.

The call for proposals is aimed at organisations who want to jointly develop a plastic pledge to solve a common challenge in sustainable plastic use or alternatively engage additional actors in an existing plastic pledge.

Call for proposals 1. Develop, test and establish plastic pledges

The project should be implemented by at least three legal entities. Several parts of the relevant value chain should be represented.

The project partners can be, for example:

• companies from different parts of the value chain
• trade associations
• municipalities and regions
• universities, university colleges and research organizations
• civil society organizations
• other public organisations who have an important role in the implementation.

The constellation of actors must together have the expertise, resources and mandate needed to develop a credible plastics promise.

We look positively at project where the parties:

• has the opportunity to influence the current value chain
• participates with clear roles and commitments
• can anchor the commitments in their organisations
• has the potential to put the results into practice
• can continue collaboration after the end of the project.

Call for proposals 2. Scaling up existing plastic pledges

The new partners must have a relevant role in the value chain or plastic flow covered by the Plastic Pledge. They must contribute expertise, mandate, resources or implementation power that strengthens the possibility of putting the Plastic Pledge into practice.

The constellation of actors should together encompass several parts of the relevant value chain and have the ability to influence the decisions, working methods, investments or market conditions that are required for the plastic promise to be scaled up.

It should be clear from proposal how the existing consortium is further developed, which new partners are added, why they are important and how their participation contributes to the plastics pledge having a greater impact.

Call for proposals 1. Develop, test and establish plastic pledges

We are funding project which develops and anchors a plastic promise that can be scaled up in an upcoming planned call for proposals. The project will be based on a challenge that requires collaboration between several actors. The work will primarily focus on implementation, market conditions, collaboration and preparations for scale-up.

Examples of relevant challenges

The call for proposals encompasses different types of plastic flows. The challenge will require collaboration between several actors and cannot be solved by a single organisation.

Project could, for example, mean:

• joint efforts for a more resource-smart use
• agree on common eligibility requirements on recycled materials
• increase demand for circular materials and products
• strengthen the profitability of recycling or reuse
• prepare a value chain for new legal eligibility requirements or producer responsibility
• distribute responsibility, risks and costs between actors
• coordinate innovation, market development and policy development
• create new forms of collaboration in value chains where such are lacking
• manage transitions with short-term costs and long-term societal benefits.

Examples of activities

We can finance activities to:

• mobilize actors in a value chain
• map the roles, interests and incentives of the actors
• develop a common problem picture
• analyze market conditions and business models
• analyze relevant legal eligibility requirements, policies and instruments
• identify technical, organizational and financial barriers
• identify conditions for implementation and scaling up
• formulate joint objective and concrete commitments
• develop principles for follow-up
• develop forms of collaboration and governance models

The activities should lead to a concrete, anchored and feasible plastic pledge or a corresponding agreement.

Call for proposals 2. Scaling up existing plastic pledges

We are funding project that strengthens the implementation and impact of the existing plastic pledge. The projects will also engage more relevant actors in the relevant value chain. The work will contribute to the plastic pledge having better conditions to lead to concrete change in the relevant value chain.

For example, we can finance activities to:

• connect new relevant actors to the plastic promise
• further develop common objective and commitments
• coordinate implementation between participating actors
• develop working methods, division of responsibilities and governance
• develop or improve forms for follow-up
• create better conditions for long-term collaboration.

We do not finance this

We do not finance:

• project which primarily aims to develop new technology
• project which only includes mapping, networking or knowledge dissemination
• project where the benefit mainly accrues to an individual organisation
• project which lack clear common commitments

What costs can we finance?

Our funding is subject to rules about state aid. The rules govern what kinds of costs we can finance. These are called eligible costs.

In this the call for proposals, these types of costs are eligible:

• Salary costs: Gross salary paid, employer contributions and other salary costs.
• Equipment, land and buildings: Costs for instruments, equipment and rent for premises other than regular business premises.

• Consulting and licensing costs: Costs for consulting services, knowledge and patents purchased or licensed from an external party. These costs may not exceed 20 percent of an organization's budget.
• Other direct costs: Costs for, for example, materials, supplies and travel that are necessary to carry out the project.
• Indirect costs (overhead): Costs that are linked to the project but do not arise directly, such as premises and cleaning. Indirect costs may not exceed 30 percent of salary costs. Universities, university colleges, research organizations and government agencies may have higher permitted levels, depending on activities.

For more detailed information about which costs we can finance, see Instructions for eligible costs

Which eligibility requirements apply to costs we finance?

In order for your costs to be eligible for support, the following applies, among other things:

• They must be factual, reasonable and necessary for the activities in the project.
• They must be booked correctly and under a separate project code in the accounting. You may not cover project costs with other public funding or own funds intended for other project.
• You may not claim someone else's expenses as your own.

For more detailed information on which eligibility requirements, limitations and exceptions apply, see our general terms and conditions.

The rules about state aid govern how large a proportion of the costs we can finance. This is determined individually for each organisation. We therefore differentiate between how large a funding project can get, and how much a participant organisation can get.

How big funding can the project get?

A project can apply for a maximum of 500,000 Swedish kronor in funding.

Vinnova finances up to 100 percent of the project's eligible costs.

How much funding can a participant organisation get?

How much funding a participant organisation can receive depends mainly on:

• the organisation's size and activities

• which activities the organisation will carry out in the project.

Descriptions in the following sections about what support we can provide are simplified. For complete information, see Support bases and levels for funding.

In this the call for proposals we can give two types of support: Support of minor importance, also called de minimis-support, or Support to organisations that do not engage in economic activities.

Support of minor importance to businesses

This basis for support is also called minimis-support. We can finance up to 100 percent of an organization's costs.

A organisation can receive a maximum of 300,000 euros over a three-year period in this form of support, regardless of the funder and project. This means that if the same organisation has received support of lesser importance in other project from other funders in the past, it affects how large the support can be in this the call for proposals.

Submit a certificate of de minimis support when you submit proposal. This is required for us to be able to grant this support.

Certificate of de minimis-support

Support to organisations not engaged in economic activities

We give support to organisations that do not engage in economic activities. This means that the organisation do not offer a service or product on a market. This usually includes universities and university colleges, research institutes and other public organisations.

This support is not covered by state aid rules. We can therefore finance up to 100 percent of such an organization's costs. The support is often called "not state aid."

How is it determined whether a organisation is engaged in economic activities?

A organisation that offers any form of service or product in a market is considered to be engaged in economic activities and cannot be granted this form of support.

It does not matter how the the organisation is financed: whether it is public or private, or whether it has a profit motive. It also does not matter what legal form the business has. For example, whether it is a limited liability company, a trading company, an economic association, a non-profit association or a foundation.

Whether a organisation engages in economic activities is determined by their regular activities, not by the activities in the project.

Some organisations conduct both economic and non-economic activitiesactivities, for example research institutes. In that case, it is important that you know in which of these activities you are applying.

If you are unsure whether a organisation in your project is conducting economic activities, contact call manager. The organisation is, however, responsible for assessing whether it is conducting economic activities.

In order for us to assess your proposal it must meet certain formal eligibility requirementsrequirements. If the requirements are not met, we will reject your proposal immediately.

Eligibility requirements on participants

• All participants organisations must be legal entities. Individuals or sole proprietorships cannot participate. Foreign legal entities can also participate. However, foreign actors that receive funding from us must have a branch or establishment in Sweden, and the costs must be incurred by the branch or establishment.
• The coordinating party must be a Swedish legal entity and conduct activities in Sweden.
• At least three participants shall participate in call for proposals 1 and in call for proposals 2 at least four legal entities, in addition to previously involved parties, shall join the project. Different parts of a organisation are the same legal entity and are counted as one participant, for example two departments at a university.

Eligibility requirements on the project

• The project applying for funding within call for proposals 1 and call for proposals 2 may apply for a maximum of 500,000 Swedish kronor.
• The project must start no later than November 30th.
• The project must not have started before you submit your proposal.
• Costs for consulting services and licenses may not exceed 20 percent of an organization's budget.

Eligibility requirements on proposal

• Proposal should be written in Swedish or English.
• Proposal should follow the instructions under the heading "How to apply".
• Proposal shall contain all requested attachments according to section 9.

Applications that meet our eligibility requirements will be forwarded to assessment. In the assessment, we look at how big potential your idea is, how realistic it is and who will implement the project.

We also look at how well your project integrates gender equality, both in how your project group is composed and how you implement the project. By integrating sex and gender perspectives, more inclusive and relevant solutions are developed. This strengthens both the innovation capacity and the project's results.

Gender equality as a tool for innovative social development

What do we assess?

When assessing applications, we look at three main criteria:

• Potential: We analyze what effects and what value we can expect from the project.
• Actors: We assess the participants' competence and ability to implement the project and achieve the desired results and effects.
• Feasibility: We assess how realistic and credible the project plan is, both for implementing the project and for achieving the desired results.

Potential

• How relevant and significant the identified plastic challenge is.
• How well the project can contribute to circular, resource-efficient and non-toxic plastic flows.
• How big the potential plastic promise is to lead to concrete and long-term commitments.
• How well the project can contribute to change in the relevant value chain.
• How credible the analysis is of the problem and the results to be achieved.
• How well the results can contribute to scaling up the plastic pledge.

Actors

• How well the composition, participation, competence and ability of the actor constellation contribute to project objectives and implementation.
• How well the actor constellation represents relevant parts of the value chain.
• How well the project manager and other key people are assessed to be able to lead and implement the project.
• How well the project is anchored among the participants the organisations.
• What conditions does the actors have to make long-term commitments?
• How well the financial contribution, participation, power and influence are distributed equally between women and men in the project team.

Feasibility

• How well the project plan and budget are assessed to be able to realize a solution in accordance with the project proposal.
• How well activities, budget and staffing contribute to the project's objective.
• How credibly the project analyzes obstacles, risks and enabling factors.
• How well business, financial, organizational and regulatory issues are handled.
• How well the project can result in a concrete and feasible plastic promise
• How credible is the plan for follow-up, continued scaling up.

How do we assess?

Once we receive the applications, we review them. We screen out any applications that are incomplete or do not meet our eligibility requirements.

The applications that are correct and complete are distributed among different evaluator and assessed in competition with each other. The evaluators are appointed by us based on their expertise in the field.

Once the evaluators has reviewed the applications, we have an assessment meeting where the evaluators recommends which applications should be granted.

How does it affect an organization's financial status?

Before we decide on funding we also make a comprehensive assessment of the organizational and financial status of those who receive funding.

We use information that we receive from credit reports, currently from the company Dun & Bradstreet.

In our assessment we check this:

• Organisations who are granted funding for salary costs must be registered as an employer with the Swedish Tax Agency. If such registration does not exist when we make a decision, you must be able to show that a notification has been made. We do not approve retroactive registration.
• Organisations must not be insolvent, or undergoing liquidation or corporate restructuring. They must also not have any significant unpaid debts with the Swedish Enforcement Authority.
• The project manager should be employed by a participant, preferably the coordinating party.
• Limited liability companies must not have used up half or more of their share capital.

We can also ask small and medium-sized companies to demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to carry out the project.

Once we have assessed all applications, we will send you a decision either granting or rejecting your proposal. Since applications are assessed competitively, you may be rejected even though you meet all eligibility requirements and criteria.

In the decision, we state how large a proportion of the costs we cover for each organisation.

You cannot appeal our decision, but you are welcome to apply to us again at another time.

What happens if you are granted funding?

If we grant you proposal you must follow our general terms and conditions for funding. The terms include, among other things:

• That you will sign a special document in which you approve your participation and commit to carrying out the project.
• That you report how things are going, your costs and achievements to us during the project period.
• If you are multiple parties, you must have a written project agreement that regulates your mutual rights and obligations in the project. All parties must sign the agreement before you submit your first progress report. Since it can take time to develop and negotiate an agreement, we recommend that you start this as soon as possible.

See our general terms and conditions

You also need to follow the special conditions that apply to this the call for proposals:

• The project must be represented by at least one participant at the program seminars and conferences that Vinnova and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency organize during the project period.
• Vinnova and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency shall be invited to major gatherings and meetings arranged within the framework of the project, such as joint project meetings, steering group meetings, seminars and other collaboration meetings of importance for the implementation of the project.

We may also decide to add additional special conditions for individual project. In that case, they will be stated in the decision.

Could you have to pay back funding?

If you have received more money than you are entitled to or if you do not follow our term, you may be liable for repayment.

When the call for proposals closes, your proposal will be registered as. We will then send an email confirmation to the person responsible for the user account, as well as to the project manager and the signatory. If you have not received a confirmation within 24 hours of the call for proposals closing, please contact us.

When the call for proposals is closed, you cannot change anything in proposal. Then you can only supplement if we ask you to.

Who can read you proposal?

Your proposal will be read by employees at Vinnova and those evaluator who participate in this the call for proposals. Everyone works under a duty of confidentiality.

Applications submitted to us become public documents. This means that we must disclose them if requested. However, we keep certain types of information confidential if disclosure could be expected to cause financial harm to the individual. This applies to information about business and operational conditions, inventions or research results.

General documents and confidentiality