With the support of the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN), CINEA has launched a new call for proposals aimed at Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) interested in receiving advisory support to develop, accelerate or improve their green investment projects.
The call is open from 23 February to 18 May 2026, with a budget of €3 million. It is implemented under the Green Assist initiative, an EU-funded advisory service delivered under InvestEU and financed by the LIFE Programme.
Objective of the call
The objective of this call is to enable SMEs to prepare bankable green or greener investment projects across a wide range of sectors.
This call focuses in particular on the following sectors:
- Circular economy
- Bioeconomy
SMEs supported by the Enterprise Europe Network are the primary target group.
What kind of support is available?
Green Assist provides free, tailored expert advisory services covering, among others:
- Business model development and market analysis
- Financing and funding strategies
- Environmental validation
- Monitoring, reporting and verification
- Regulatory, governance and technical compliance support
Two types of advisory services are offered:
Standard project advisory
- 10–30 advisory days
- Support in one specific field of expertise
- Delivered by individual Green Assist expert
Extended project advisory
- 30–70 advisory days
- For complex projects requiring multiple areas of expertise
- Advisory programme jointly defined with one or two experts and delivered by consultancies
Who can apply?
The call is open to any legal entity that meets the following criteria:
- Established in the EU 27 or in a third country associated to the LIFE Programme (i.e. Ukraine, Moldova, Iceland, North Macedonia, Montenegro)
- Meets the EU definition of an SME: engaged in an economic activity; fewer than 250 employees; annual turnover ≤ EUR 50 million or balance sheet ≤ EUR 43 million
- Holds a valid VAT or registration number
- Is not in financial difficulty or excluded from EU funding
- Does not currently benefit from a LIFE Programme grant
Projects must:
- Deliver a clear environmental benefit
- Fall within Green Assist-supported investment areas: natural capital, biodiversity, circular economy and bioeconomy, climate change adaptation and natural hazards, sustainable spatial design, environmental remediation (of air, water and soil), greening non-environmental sectors (e.g. industry, agriculture, forestry, blue economy).
- Have a minimum investment value of EUR 1 million
How to apply
- Check the guidelines for applicants and the slide deck with info for applicants
- Contact your EEN Sustainability Advisor
The adviser will provide further guidance and conduct a pre-screening. - Submit the application form
Deadline to complete the form: 18 May 2026 at 17:00 CET.There is a video tutorial available, helping you understand the requirements of the call and guiding you through the application process.
More information
For further details on eligibility and admissibility criteria, the type of support available, and the evaluation process, please consult the call document.
Discover more about Green Assist, including success stories from supported projects, on the Green Assist webpage.
