Reduced consumption of plastics and plastics circularity
About this call for applications
The aim of this call is to support a small number of projects with high potential to transform plastic use and the plastic economy in Norway. We will prioritise projects that can demonstrate significant environmental impact and measurable effects on the Norwegian plastics system. Initiatives based outside Norway may also apply, provided they show clear transfer value to Norway.
Who can apply?
All types of companies are eligible.
The Norwegian Retailers’ Fund cannot fund projects run by individual members, but members may take part in projects, e.g. in reference groups or as partners.
Important information about this call for applications
Number of projects: 2–5 large projects (> NOK 5 million). Smaller projects can also receive funding, a precondition for this is a strong alignment with the call’s thematic priorities.
Total budget: Up to NOK 40 million
Project duration: Up to 3 years
Co-funding requirement: At least 50 % of total project costs
Application process: One-stage application
25th of August
Application form opens
26th of September
16:00 (CET): Deadline for full application
19th of December
Decision (grant / rejection)
Priorities
Projects with partners covering the entire value chain will be prioritised, to ensure that solutions work in practice. This year’s main priority is packaging, the largest use of plastic in Norway.
Packaging
NREF aims to help Norway reach the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation target of at least 55 % material recycling by 2030. We therefore wish to support measures that will substantially increase the sorting rate of plastic packaging in order to optimally use recycling facilities capacity. Large municipalities and inter-municipal waste companies (IKS) are encouraged to apply—individually or, preferably, in collaboration.
The new regulation sets ambitious targets for reduction and reuse of plastic transport packaging. NREF will prioritise initiatives that help meet those targets, such as new reuse systems and measures that reduce transport packaging in line with upcoming requirements.
Extensive standardisation work across the packaging value chain will be needed. Projects enabling Norwegian businesses to follow, engage in and influence this work—so the transition starts in time—will be prioritised.
We also welcome measures that address the de-packaging of food waste before biological treatment, so that the maximum amount of plastic can be recycled.
Other measures
The call is open to initiatives beyond packaging, but not to projects within fisheries & aquaculture or chemical recycling.
Examples of eligible areas:
- Circular solutions and business models that extend the lifetime of plastic products, e.g. through repair and reuse.
- Sorting plastic waste from industry to prevent large volumes from going straight to incineration.
- Solutions for sorting and recycling waste streams with high plastic content that currently lack adequate solutions in Norway, e.g. nappies/diapers.
It is not possible to apply for
- Projects in fisheries & aquaculture or chemical recycling.
- Projects that do not align with the call’s aims and priorities.
- Ordinary operational costs.
- Actions or activities carried out before the grant date.
Finance
- Hourly rate rules apply.
- Budgets must be realistic and explain how the funds will be used.
- Co-funding: at least 50 % of total project costs.
- Applications may be written in Norwegian or English.
- Any previous agreements with NREF must be fulfilled.
- Additional requirements may apply to projects over NOK 5 million, projects in sanctioned countries, those with high corruption risk, or in countries with low scores on Transparency International’s Corruption Index.
Application requirements
- The applicant must have an organisation number and be registered in the Norwegian Register of Business Enterprises (Brønnøysund) or an equivalent international register.
- The applicant must register the organisation and contact persons in the project portal.
- Applications must be submitted via the project portal.
- Project results must be made publicly available.
Reporting and accounting
Obligations of the applicant (project owner)
The applicant is the project owner. Grants are paid only to the project owner, who is responsible for any payments to subcontractors, for carrying out the project as described, and for reporting to NREF. A summary of main findings and results must be provided for NREF to communicate freely.
Reporting
- A brief status report is required before each payment.
- A final report is required after project completion.
- All reporting is done in the project portal.
Accounts and audit
- See the guidelines for project accounts and audit.
- All projects must submit a project account for the entire period with the final report.
- Grants > NOK 350 000 up to NOK 1 million: an auditor must issue an ISRS 4400 statement.
- Grants > NOK 1 million: an ordinary audit under ISA 805 is required.
- Audit costs must be included in the budget.
- Hourly rates must follow the guidelines.
Grants and VAT
- NREF support may be used as own funding in applications to other schemes.
- Grants include any taxes and duties, including VAT, and are provided as gifts.
- NREF considers such grants normally not subject to VAT, but recipients are responsible for compliance and must clarify with their auditor.
Application processing
- Applications are treated confidentially under strict impartiality and nondisclosure rules.
- Information may be shared confidentially with other funders (e.g. the Norwegian Environment Agency, Sparebankstiftelsen) when relevant.
- External experts and NREF’s Board may access applications. Applicants can list persons/organisations they deem disqualified.
Processing routine
- Evaluation: At least two NREF staff assess each application; external experts are involved as follows:
- ≤ NOK 500 000: external expert only if deemed necessary.
- NOK 500 000 – ≤ NOK 1 million: at least one external expert.
- NOK 1 million: at least two external experts.
- Decision: NREF administration compiles assessments and submits recommendations to the Board, which makes the final decision.
Assessment criteria
The application will be assessed according to four assessment criteria, all of which are given equal weight on a scale from 1-7:
- The quality of the project
The quality of the proposed measures, activities and methods. To what extent the proposed work is ambitious and innovative, realistic and well-founded in knowledge and experience.
- Environmental impact
The potential to reduce the negative environmental effects of plastic in the short and long term. To what extent the project can deliver good solutions and results. Plans for the dissemination and sharing of results, knowledge and of the concrete solutions developed in the project.
- Implementation
The quality of the project's organisation, management and resource use. To what extent the project is well-organised with the right expertise in the project team and partners.
- Thematic priorities of the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund
To what extent the project answers to the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund’s thematic priorities in the call.
Extra scrutiny
Some applications might require extra scrutiny, ie. applications over NOK 5 million and selected other projects that NREF deems require deeper assessment.
In this case, an online meeting will be held where the applicant presents the project and answers questions from NREF staff and experts.
