EORNA-Ansell Sustainability Project Fund

Asia Pacific

Australia en
China zh-Hans en
Hong Kong en
Indian Subcontinent en
Indonesia id en
Japan ja en
Korea ko en
Malaysia en
New Zealand en
Philippines en
Singapore en
Taiwan en
Thailand th en
Vietnam en vi

Europe

Belgium nl fr
Czech Republic cs
Denmark en da
Finland en fi
France fr
Germany de
Hungary hu
Italy it
Netherlands nl
Norway en
Poland pl
Portugal pt
Romania ro
Spain es
Sweden en sv
Switzerland de fr it
Turkey tr
United Kingdom en

Latin America

Brazil pt-BR
Colombia es-LAC
Mexico es-LAC
Other es-LAC

Middle East and Africa

Africa en fr
Middle East en

North America

Canada fr-CA en
USA en

Background

Sustainability is a growing priority in healthcare, and operating theatres play a crucial role in driving meaningful change. To support this, Ansell and the European Operating Room Nurses Association (EORNA) have launched a biannual Sustainability Project Fund, empowering perioperative nurses to lead innovative environmental initiatives within hospital operating theatres.

Image of healthcare workers who are supporting sustainable healthcare practices

This fund invites OR teams from EORNA member countries to submit proposals focused on:
i) Carbon footprint reduction
ii) Waste minimization
iii) Resource management

By investing in OR-led sustainability efforts, this initiative aims to foster real environmental change and support the growth of a more sustainable healthcare system in hospitals across Europe.

Celebrating Our 2025-2026 Submissions

We are proud to share that we have received a total of seven submissions from across Europe for our first sustainability project fund. We extend our sincere thanks to the following candidates for their participation:

1. Turkish Surgical and Operating Room Nurses Association

2. Unidade Local de Saúde – Alto Ave

3. North Estonia Medical Centre

4. Clinique Pasteur

5. Unidade Local de Saúde de Entre Douro e Vouga

6. Northern Almería Health Management Area

7. Sambre and Meuse Hospital Association (AHSM)

The top three finalists will be announced in April, with the overall winner revealed during the EORNA Congress in May. Stay tuned for more updates!

FAQ

Who is eligible to apply for the EORNA-Ansell Sustainability Project Fund?

Perioperative nurses from hospitals in EORNA member countries can apply.

What topic should the project submitted be on?

Projects must focus on improving environmental impacts in perioperative care. Environmental categories include:

Carbon Footprint Reduction: Initiatives aimed at lowering greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency, sustainable procurement, and waste minimization.
Waste Reduction & Circular Economy: Strategies to minimize waste production, enhance recycling efforts, and improve material reusability within perioperative care settings.
Resource Management: Innovative approaches to optimizing energy use, improving air and water quality, and preserving natural capital within operating theatres.

How is the funding made available for the winner?

Funding is provided as a grant via EORNA directly to the winning team or hospital. The funds must be used specifically for the approved project and in alignment with the proposed budget and implementation plan.

What is the application process and what documents are required?

Applicants must submit a detailed proposal, including objectives, methodology, anticipated impact, cost analysis, and an implementation timeline. Supporting documents should outline key personnel, stakeholder involvement, risk management, and how success will be measured. Download the template here.

How are projects evaluated, and what are the key selection criteria?

Projects are assessed based on relevance, feasibility, innovation, impact, scalability, cost-effectiveness, stakeholder engagement, risk management, long-term viability, and perioperative nurse involvement. Each criterion is scored to determine the most promising and practical sustainability initiatives.

What kind of support will the winning projects receive beyond funding?

Winners gain visibility through EORNA and Ansell’s communication channels, guidance on implementation, and opportunities to share results with the perioperative community. Additional networking and collaboration opportunities may also be available.

When is the application deadline, and when will the winner be announced?

Submission deadline is 31st January 2026. Top 3 Finalists will be announced in April. The winner will be announced in May during the EORNA Congress. We will reach out to the winner before the Congress.

Who can I contact for more information or assistance with my application?

Applicants can reach out to EORNA via secretariat@eorna.eu or Ansell via sustainabilityfund.support@ansell.com.

Meet the EORNA-Ansell Sustainability Project Fund Judging Panel

Get to know the experts behind the evaluation process. Discover the diverse experience and background of our judging panel as they lead the selection of this fund cycle's most impactful sustainability initiative in perioperative care.

Learn More