On 4 June 2025, the European Commission published a decision recognising 13 critical raw material projects located in non-EU countries as “Strategic Projects” under the Critical Raw Materials Act (“CRMA”, Regulation (EU) 2024/1252). This first set of Strategic Projects based outside the EU adds to the 47 Strategic Projects based within the EU announced earlier this year. These Strategic Projects are recognized as significantly contributing to the security of the EU’s supply of strategic raw materials, and will benefit from preferential access to finance and other advantages. For more information on the CRMA and the framework for Strategic Projects, see our previous blog post here.

Overview of the 13 Non-EU Strategic Projects

The non-EU Strategic Projects that the European Commission has selected extract, process, recycle, or substitute materials critical to the EU’s green and digital transitions, including:

  • Battery-grade materials: Projects focusing on lithium, cobalt, manganese, and graphite, located in Canada, Brazil, and Ukraine.
  • Rare earth elements: Projects in South Africa and Malawi aiming to supply essential inputs for electric vehicles and wind turbines.
  • Other strategic materials: For instance, a project covering tungsten (UK).

Together, these projects are expected to mobilise approximately €5.5 billion of private and public investment and play a key role in diversifying and securing the EU’s critical raw materials supply chains.

Strategic Projects: Criteria and Benefits

Under Article 6(1) CRMA, a project can be designated as strategic if it (1) significantly contributes to the security of the Union’s supply of strategic raw materials, (2) is technically feasible within a reasonable timeframe, and (3) is implemented in a sustainable manner. Non-EU projects must also be mutually beneficial by creating added value locally. The Commission assessed applications based on these criteria, with support from external experts.

Designated Strategic Projects benefit from several advantages, including:

  • Preferential access to finance. Article 16 CRMA allows promoters to request a dedicated meeting of the CRMA financing subgroup—bringing together the EIB, EBRD, national promotional banks and private lenders—to map a full financing package, with particular emphasis on Global Gateway Initiative.
  • Commercial leverage. The Strategic Project status signals alignment with EU policy and sustainability standards, helping promoters secure long-term offtake contracts with European buyers.
  • Structured engagement with Brussels. Under Articles 7 and 8 CRMA, projects benefit from structured engagement with the Commission, including biannual reporting and inclusion in the Commission’s Strategic Project list—raising visibility for investors and policymakers alike.

Next Steps for Project Promoters

The application process for Strategic Project designation remains open, with separate cut-off dates announced periodically by the European Commission. The next batch of applications is expected to be evaluated later in 2025. Project promoters interested in applying should ensure their projects meet the eligibility criteria and monitor Commission communications for the announcement of upcoming cut-off dates.

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