This call for proposals supports projects that aim to strengthen the EU’s supply security and access to sustainably produced critical and strategic raw materials (minerals and metals), both primary and secondary. The goal is to develop and demonstrate environmentally and socially responsible extraction, processing, or refining technologies, with a focus on reducing negative impacts and increasing efficiency.

Projects must involve cooperation with one of the EU’s strategic raw materials partner countries (e.g., Chile, Namibia, Australia) and demonstrate the technology on local mineral resources. Proposals should include a clear business case, an exploitation strategy, and plans for scaling up, while aligning with the objectives of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act and promoting sustainable sourcing principles.

Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Strengthen EU cooperation with countries the EU established strategic partnerships on Raw Materials;
• Improved industrial viability, safety and environmental impacts of the operation in a way that leads to measurable improvements;
• Improved diversification of EU sourcing of critical raw materials from third countries;
• Improved responsible supply of raw materials to Europe in line with the EU principles for sustainable raw materials, which are a non-regulatory set of principles based on the EU acquis. They set out requirements for sustainable raw materials and extraction and processing in Europe in terms of social, environmental and economic performance.
• Dissemination and exploitation of projects outputs is tailored for organisations and industry dealing with raw materials in the EU and project partner from Strategic partnership countries.
• Promote the utilisation of UNFC (United Nations Framework Classification for Resources) and UNRMS (United Nations Resource Management System) in the raw materials sector.
• Actions are expected to contribute to the implementation of the EU Critical Raw Materials Act.