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Saxony circular economy grant

Förderrichtlinie Kreislaufwirtschaft und Ressourceneffizienz (RL KrW/RE)

Grant; rate depends on measure, company size and region. Awareness/knowledge-transfer projects EUR 2,500–60,000 at 80% for small firms; circular production investments EUR 8,000–5m at 55% for small firms; STEP critical-technology investments 90%. Provided by Sächsische Aufbaubank (SAB) for the Saxon Ministry of Economics (SMWA).

SaxonyGrantEquity-free
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Key facts

Amount
Grant; rate depends on measure, company size and region. Awareness/knowledge-transfer projects EUR 2,500–60,000 at 80% for small firms; circular production investments EUR 8,000–5m at 55% for small firms; STEP critical-technology investments 90%
Duration
Not fixed
Type
Grant
Who receives it
Founder or team
Equity
Equity-free
Repayable
No
Stages
Prototype, Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
Solo founders
Yes
Full-time required
No
Company required
Yes
University link required
No
Application languages
DE
Location
Project in Saxony

Who can apply

  • Companies, municipalities, associations, clubs and non-profits
  • Funds products or processes that cut waste or raw material use, better waste handling, and awareness, exchange and knowledge transfer on waste prevention
  • Preparation for re-use is named; digital platforms are not named explicitly

What usually blocks applicants

  • A pure marketplace without a measurable waste-prevention effect
  • Own work (Eigenleistungen) is not an eligible cost
  • Starting before the application reaches SAB; after that, an early start is at your own risk
  • Freelancers (Freiberufler) are not named among eligible applicants; ask SAB first

What the official documents say

  • Awareness/exchange projects (EFRE 2.1 c): EUR 2,500–60,000; small firms 80%, medium 70% (p. 13)
  • Circular production investments (EFRE 2.1 a): EUR 8,000–5m; small firms 55%, medium 45% (p. 13)
  • Eligible: companies, municipalities, waste authorities, associations, clubs, non-profits (p. 4)
  • You may start once SAB has received the application, at your own risk (p. 9)
  • Own work (Eigenleistungen), insurance and recoverable VAT are not eligible costs (p. 9)
Official PDF (DE): Förderrichtlinie Kreislaufwirtschaft und Ressourceneffizienz (FRL KrW/2026) vom 16. Januar 2026, version 2026-01-16

Why founders miss it

Built for recyclers and municipalities, so startups rarely look at it, yet small firms get 80% of up to EUR 60,000 for awareness and knowledge-exchange projects on waste prevention.

Deadline and timing

Applications via the SAB portal (www.sab.sachsen.de/frl-kreislaufwirtschaft); the federal funding database lists 30 Jun 2029 as the last submission date (guideline of 16 Jan 2026).

Frequently asked

How much does Saxony circular economy grant pay?

Grant; rate depends on measure, company size and region. Awareness/knowledge-transfer projects EUR 2,500–60,000 at 80% for small firms; circular production investments EUR 8,000–5m at 55% for small firms; STEP critical-technology investments 90%

Who can apply for Saxony circular economy grant?

Companies, municipalities, associations, clubs and non-profits Funds products or processes that cut waste or raw material use, better waste handling, and awareness, exchange and knowledge transfer on waste prevention Preparation for re-use is named; digital platforms are not named explicitly

When is the Saxony circular economy grant deadline?

Applications via the SAB portal (www.sab.sachsen.de/frl-kreislaufwirtschaft); the federal funding database lists 30 Jun 2029 as the last submission date (guideline of 16 Jan 2026).

Where do I apply for Saxony circular economy grant?

On the official page: https://revosax.sachsen.de/vorschrift/21473-Foerderrichtlinie-Kreislaufwirtschaft-und-Ressourceneffizienz. Applications are accepted in DE.

Do I have to pay back Saxony circular economy grant or give up equity?

No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.

Can solo founders apply for Saxony circular economy grant?

Yes, solo founders can apply.

Sources and verification

Checked on 8 October 2026. Most facts read from the official source; some details need confirmation. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.

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