The European Union has launched the SWITCH-Asia Call for Proposals 2025, offering significant funding opportunities to support Asia’s transition towards a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy. With a total budget of EUR 25 million, this call is designed for organizations ready to scale up pioneering practices and pilot initiatives that promote sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Objectives of the Call

The overall objective is to strengthen sustainable value chains between Asia and the European Union, while contributing to local economic recovery and competitiveness.

Specific objectives include:

• Supporting the green transition of key economic value chains in Asia or connected to the EU.
• Improving the business environment and investment climate for circular economy solutions.
• Empowering local consumers to make responsible choices by promoting low-carbon, environmentally, and socially sustainable products and services.

Mandatory Priority: Scaling Up

Every proposal must include a clear strategy for scaling up existing pilot initiatives. Scaling up involves:

• Modification and adaptation of pilot projects based on feedback and evaluation.
• Securing financial, human, and technological resources for larger implementation.
• Building partnerships with key stakeholders to support expansion.

Scope of Actions

Projects can cover a wide range of themes, including:

• Greening of industrial processes.
• Circularity of products, processes, and services.
• Bio-based solutions.
• Uptake of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards.
• Adoption of new low-carbon and green business models.
• Awareness-raising among consumers for sustainable choices.

Relevant sectors may include:

• Agri-food.
• Buildings and construction.
• Circular cities.
• Critical raw materials.
• Plastics and waste management.
• Textiles and leather.

Funding Details

• Total budget: EUR 25,000,000.
• Grant size per project: EUR 2,500,000 – EUR 4,000,000.
• EU co-financing: minimum 25% – maximum 75% of eligible costs.
• Project duration: 36–48 months.

Applicants must secure the remaining balance from other sources beyond the EU budget.

Eligibility

Lead applicants may include:

• Businesses (especially MSMEs).
• Private sector organizations (industrial clusters, chambers of commerce, trade federations, CSR networks).
• Consumer and labour organizations.
• Research and technology institutions (universities, research centres, technology transfer centres).
• NGOs and civil society organizations.

Co-applicants:

• All of the above categories.
• Organizations from EU Member States.

Consortium requirement:

• At least one organization from an eligible Asian country.
• At least one organization from the EU or EEA.

Eligible countries in Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Indonesia, India, Lao PDR, Maldives, Mongolia, Myanmar, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Ineligible Actions

The following are not eligible under this call:

• Financial instruments (loans, bonds, guarantees, equity).
• Individual sponsorships for workshops, seminars, or conferences.
• Scholarships for studies or training.
• Actions violating human rights or causing significant environmental harm.
• Projects without a scaling-up component.
• Inception phase activities exceeding 4 months.

Indicators and Reporting

Selected projects must report against clear EU and international indicator sets, including:

• Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The Global Europe Results Framework.
• DG INTPA Green Economy indicators.

Timeline

• Deadline for concept notes: 10 December 2025 (12:00 Brussels time).
• Results of concept notes: February 2026 (indicative).
• Full applications deadline: April 2026 (indicative).
• Evaluation of full applications: May–June 2026.
• Notification of successful applicants: July–August 2026.
• Contract signature: Q3–Q4 2026.

The SWITCH-Asia Call 2025 is a unique opportunity for organizations committed to sustainability to scale up innovative practices and build stronger EU–Asia partnerships. With substantial funding and a clear focus on circular economy, consumer responsibility, and green investment, this call is designed to foster transformative impact across Asia’s value chains. Learn more and Apply Here