The first GROW/HARVEST call is the second to launch the project Metabuilding and will be open until 15 September. This project aims to boost innovation of SMEs in the construction sector, fostering cross-sector and cross-border collaboration. This call will focus on several challenges in the construction sector: ICT, nature-based solutions, circular economy and recycling, and 3D printing.
Through this call, projects of up to 60,000 euros will be approved for collaboration between two or more SMEs in the construction sector. The aim is to promote innovation and cooperation between SMEs at European level. Proposals for collaborative projects of 2 or more partners (at least 2 SMEs) can be submitted until 15 September 2021.
A total of €960,000 will be distributed to the SMEs. At least one of the SMEs in each consortium must be based in one of the 6 countries that are part of the project: Austria, France, Hungary, Italy, Portugal and Spain, and the other SMEs must be located in any of the Horizon 2020 partner countries. The proposals will be evaluated by an international panel of independent experts on how they address the respective challenges.
Challenges in the construction sector covered by the call for proposals
The call addresses four key challenges in the sector. On the one hand, the ICT in construction challenge addresses energy monitoring and management, comfort and health in buildings, including digital tools and BIM for SMEs.
Another challenge being addressed is the inclusion of nature-based solutions (NBS) in the rehabilitation of buildings, as well as digitisation for the management and monitoring of these systems.
The circular economy is also one of the main challenges for the sector, which is why the introduction of new recycled building materials and digital solutions for circularity in building is being pursued.
Finally, the call covers the reuse of waste through integration into large 3D printing processes for the construction sector, and the integration of new functionalities into building components through 3D printing.
