Research Fund for Coal and Steel 2026: €110 million available for sustainable innovation in the steel and coal sectors

Proposals are now open for two calls under Horizon Europe's 'Soil Deal' Mission. The Soil Mission is driving the transition to healthy soils by 2030 by funding an ambitious research and innovation program with a strong social science component, thus creating a network of 100 living labs.

Specifically, the open calls are:

HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-01-twostage: Living laboratories for improving soil health in the Alpine and Atlantic biogeographic regions (RIA).

With a max. budget per project of €12 millionThe call aims to stimulate research and innovation to co-create and co-implement cost-effective solutions for soil health, improve soil monitoring, and enhance the availability of standardized, high-quality soil data at local and regional levels. Among other things, proposals should support the establishment of four/five living labs in the Alpine or Atlantic biogeographical region.

Two solutions are expected to be funded.

HORIZON-MISS-2026-05-SOIL-02-twostage: Living laboratories for improving soil health in managed forests and natural/semi-natural lands (RIA)

The call presents a maximum budget per project of €12 millionThe overall goal is to implement a series of living labs on common soil health challenges that they affect managed or natural/semi-natural forests. Two projects are expected to be funded.

The deadlines for submitting proposals are set for April 14, 2026 (1st stage) and the September 15, 2026 (2nd stage).

For more information: info@iniziativa.cc

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Success Cases

MUNICIPALITY OF COMELICO SUPERIORE – CABLE CAR CONNECTION WITH SOUTH TYROL

Economic and financial analysis to verify compatibility of aid pursuant to art. 55 GBER (EU Regulation 651/2014), relating to the Padola–Passo Monte Croce (Valgrande–Tre Picchi–Col d'La Tenda) plant connection, STACCO project – Municipality of Comelico Superiore (BL).

Sector: Sports Facilities PPP
Date: 2023

100% Transfer

Iniziativa, as financial advisor, assisted Medinok in the sale of 100% of its capital to Telebit and in the reinvestment of a minority stake in the latter's capital.

Sector: Telecommunications Services & Facility Management
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2022

Model 231 from 2001

Update of the company's Organization, Management and Control Model, drawn up pursuant to Legislative Decree 231 of 2001

Sector: Company subject to the management and coordination of Invitalia National Agency for Attracting Investments and Business Development SpA
Turnover: €11.444.972,00
Date: 2020

Sustainability reports

Support in the preparation of the corporate sustainability report and definition of the ESG strategy and indicators for monitoring sustainable variables

Sector: Knowledge & Technology Intensive Company
Date: 2024

Cantu Next

“Construction of the new multifunctional arena of Cantù” through the procedure provided for in paragraph 304 art. 1 of the 2014 stability law – Technical assistance to the proposer with particular reference to the drafting activities of the Economic and Financial Plan.

Sector: Sports facilities
Date: 2020

San Michele SRL Nursing Home

The company has acquired additional diagnostic equipment to expand the services offered.

Contract: Credito Mezzogiorno - Article 1, paragraphs 98 to 108, of Law No. 208 of 28 December 2015, and subsequent amendments
Project cost: €1.570.000,00
Contribution: €392.500,00

Management control and company organization

Design and implementation support for the organizational model and management control system for monitoring company performance and optimizing the organizational structure.

Sector: Polydiagnostic Center
Date: 2024

Solacem F2i

Sale of the majority stake to F2i; Iniziativa acted as financial advisor to the sellers.

Sector: Infrastructure
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2026

Business Process Reengineering

Technical support in the analysis and optimization of processes with a view to upgrading the company information system and modernizing logistics activities

Sector: Soft drinks, mineral water and other bottled water industry
Turnover: €110.516.083
Date: 2020

Protom Group SpA

Protom has acquired the Espero business branch, geographically expanding the market served, Iniziativa He provided a 360° view of the acquisition operation.

Sector: Education and Knowledge development
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2024

“NSS2023

Next Smart system in a marine environment

Contract: Innovation Agreement
Project cost: €6.431.394,25
Contribution to spending: €2.000.354,01
Date: September 2020

Beste SpA

Iniziativa acted as financial advisor assisting Beste in the sale of the majority shares in favor of Hind – Industrial Holding

Sector: Fashion & Apparel
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2023

Helkin – Scuolab

Scouting of acquiring companies, assistance in negotiating the LOI, coordination of the multidisciplinary due diligence process (financial, tax, technological, and labor law aspects), negotiation of the SPA and related annexes.

Sector: Edutech
Deal: Undisclosed
Date: 2025

Training

Design and delivery of training on corporate finance management: "Knowing the present to plan the future" to the top figures of 30 SMEs, in collaboration with the Naples Industrial Union

Sector: Banking
Date: 2022

City of Florence

Support for the development of the Economic-Financial Plan for the "Redevelopment of the Artemio Franchi Stadium in Florence" project.

Date: 2023

Management control

Development of the Investment Plan and the economic-financial plan for the opening of Mignon brand sales points of the company business in the main Italian cities and railway stations

Sector: Bars and other establishments
Turnover: €3.918.453
Date: 2018

Sabina Public Water

PPP operation (pursuant to Legislative Decree 50/2016) concerning the "Implementation and management of a Smart metering system for the automation of the reading and management processes of Sabina Public Water meters and the implementation of a management of data driven water resource management processes”

Sector: Digitalisation
Date: 2023

Sustainability Report

Support in the preparation of the corporate sustainability report and definition of the ESG strategy and indicators for monitoring sustainable variables

Sector: Production of Plastic Materials
Turnover: €69.978.904
Date: 2023

AERONAUTICAL CONSTRUCTION TECNAM SPA

Innovate and expand the product range, in particular with the development and launch of the new P2020 aircraft; as well as expanding production capacity, with the construction of a new production site.

Contract: Development Contract
Project cost: €37.536.422,57
Non-refundable contribution: €13.638.819,00
Concessionary Financing: €4.417.290,00
Date: April 2024

South Tyrol Health Authority

Technical assistance to the Grantor in the evaluation of a Project Financing proposal relating to an intervention for the "Supply of energy carriers (hot water, steam, electricity) for the San Maurizio hospital in Bolzano"

Sector: Healthcare company PPP
Date: 2021

Pfe

Contract for the awarding of concessions for interventions and services aimed at containing ICA and reducing the environmental impact of the Cannizzaro Hospital in Catania.

Date: 2025

Commune of Rimini

Technical assistance for operations supporting the economic-financial feasibility analysis and instrumental and ancillary activities inherent to the tender for the awarding of the New Municipal Swimming Pool

Date: 2025

GEVEN SpA

Construction of a new production unit for the manufacture of aircraft seats

Contract: Law 181/89 and subsequent amendments.
Project cost: €10.441.948
Non-refundable contribution: €2.014.000
Concessionary Financing: €5.220.000
Date: October 2017

CA.MPANIA

MEASUREMENT CHARACTERIZATION OF POLYMERS: NON-INVASIVE ANALYSIS

Contract: Campania startUp 2020
Project cost: €78.862,00
Contribution: €67.032,70
Date: June 2023

Management control

Support for the implementation of industrial accounting and management control

Sector: Flexible Packaging Production
Date: 2026

Integrated Services Consortium

Restoration and conservative renovation project aimed at repurposing the building known as the "Former Caretaker's House and Greenhouses" located within the Villa Floridiana park in Naples.

Date: 2024

Business Process Engineering Startups

Support for the definition of the organizational structure, management and control processes of the commercial funnel and process optimization with a view to upgrading the company information system, design and implementation of the management control system and a KPI dashboard for monitoring the company performance

Sector: Computer programming
Turnover: €60.500,00
Date: 2022

SEGLUCO

“Eating well and gluten-free: development of a gluten-free croissant (already cooked and frozen) with valuable nutritional characteristics

Contract: PON Horizon2020
Project cost: €2.336.625,00
Contribution to spending: €812.156,25
Concessionary Financing: €467.325,00
Date: June 2021

Municipality of Rome Capital

Support for the structuring of internal processes and administrative training of staff with assistance in managing the evaluation processes of PPP proposals received by the Institution.

Date: 2025

Mati Group and VIS Pesaro

Redevelopment, expansion, adaptation and improvement of the “Villa Fastiggi” sports centre in Pesaro and its functional and economic management

Date: 2019-2022/XNUMX/XNUMX

€1.9 billion Production investments supported | €435 billion Investments in Research & Innovation subsidized | 200 active customers with hundreds of completed transactions | 100 Project Financing/PPP Operations Supported | €1.9 billion Production investments supported | €435 billion Investments in Research & Innovation subsidized | 200 active customers with hundreds of completed transactions | 100 Project Financing/PPP Operations Supported |