Funding opportunity for local and regional governments to improve water quality

Is your local or regional authority tackling chemical pollution in marine or freshwater ecosystems?  

As coordinators of the RHE-MEDiation project, funded under Horizon Europe, we are looking for 5 local or regional authorities ready to pilot nature-based, microalgae-powered remediation solutions to address the growing challenge of chemical pollution. 

The RHE-MEDiation Open Call for Associated Regions is now live and accepting applications until May 31st, 2025. 

This call is a unique opportunity for local and regional authorities committed to improving the quality of their water resources, especially those facing long-standing challenges related to chemical pollution in coastal seawater or semi-confined inland areas. 

Why this matters to your region 

Persistent chemical pollutants—such as heavy metals, PFAS, and pesticides—pose serious risks to ecosystems, public health, and local economies. RHE-MEDiation is developing innovative, nature-based, and microalgae-powered remediation technologies that can help regions address these challenges more effectively. 

With this Open Call, we are looking for 5 Associated Regions where these solutions can be tested and scaled, in close collaboration with the project’s expert partners. 

What selected regions will receive 

- Up to €100,000 in financial support. 

- Tailored technical assistance from leading European researchers and innovators. 

- Capacity-building activities to support local implementation. 

- Visibility and inclusion in a pan-European network of environmental frontrunners.

Who should apply?

We encourage applications from local and regional authorities in: 

- EU Member States, or 

- Horizon Europe Associated Countries 

Eligible areas should be linked to marine or freshwater ecosystems facing pressure from persistent pollutants. Authorities must be outside the countries already involved in the RHE-MEDiation consortium (Italy, Greece, Portugal, Belgium, Turkey), and not previously funded under the iMERMAID Open Calls (ID: 101112824). 

Submit your application on F6S

Templates and full guidelines are available here.

Apply by May 31st, 2025, and help shape the future of sustainable water management in Europe.