Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
Promoting the use of more sustainable agricultural practices is a policy objective enshrined in the European Green Deal and its related strategies. Strengthening organic agriculture, one of the objectives of the EU’s farm-to-finish and biodiversity strategies, can go a long way towards achieving this ambition and, therefore, the climate ambition, as the organic farming contributes directly and significantly to the storage of carbon in soils and biomass. In addition, the Commission Communication “Ensuring food security and strengthening the resilience of food systems” highlights the role that organic agriculture can play in reducing the EU’s dependence on external inputs, as organic agriculture is recognized, among other things, for limiting the use of off-farm inputs.
Organic legislation allows the use of a specific set of products with less impact on the environment and soil. It is important to continue to explore ways to phase out and replace questionable inputs used in organic farming and to increase the availability, accessibility and use of alternatives to these products. In this way, due attention should be given to system approaches that take into account the entire agricultural system and its relationship to the soil and landscape levels. In addition, to address the needs of farmers in this sector, socially innovative solutions are required.
Detailed Call Description
Proposals should address all the following activities:
- Develop, test and put in the place alternative products and solutions, including to the use of copper fungicides, mineral oils, external nutrient inputs (e.g. manure from conventional agriculture, recycled nutrients) in organic plant production, and to the responsible use of anthelmintics, antibiotics and synthetic vitamins used in organic livestock production.
- Among the alternatives, consider those containing biologically active substances (microorganisms and other naturally occurring substances), invertebrate biological control agents, (micro)biological agents for soil amelioration or cultivation techniques, and considering effective functional biodiversity systems.
- Building on existing demonstration sites and experiments where available and relevant, test the alternatives and, if relevant, their combinations.
- Further develop toolboxes, strategies and technologies for the minimisation or phasingout of the use of contentious inputs in organic farming.
- Demonstrate the safety of the alternatives, in line with the EU regulatory framework related to their placing on the market, and generate data to enable the registration of the alternatives.
- Deepen analysis and produce data on the efficacy, resource efficiency, climate and environmental impacts of the alternatives developed, compared to the contentious inputs they are to replace. This should include analysis of impact on non-target species and on human health.
- Analyse farmers’ and consumers’ acceptance of the alternatives developed and consider new governance models/relations among food chain actors. This should include the development of business plans, with the support of Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), and assessment of stakeholders’ (farmers, policymakers, researchers, advisors, companies, consumers, etc.) perspectives and needs to improve already existing policy instruments to reduce the use of contentious inputs and increased availability of alternatives.
- Set up demonstration sites that are representative of the diversity of organic farming systems in Europe, to promote participatory activities, and the exchange of knowledge and best practices among farmers.
- Develop training packages targeted to farmers and other actors of the organic agri-food chain, and awareness raising activities towards citizens and consumers, engaging with existing initiatives where relevant.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
70%
EU Contribution per project: €6.00 million
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Farming - Forestry
- Environment and Climate Change
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
Eligibility for Participation
- Central Government
- Consumer Organisations
- Farmers Unions
- Farmers, Agriculturalists
- Large Enterprises
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Proposals must implement the ‘multi-actor approach’ and ensure adequate involvement of the main stakeholders involved in finding alternatives to the use of contentious inputs used in organic farming (farmers, breeders, researchers, advisors, industry, etc.). Proposals should cover contentious inputs used in a range of organically-grown crops (in- and out-door), both arable and perennial, as well as the organic livestock sector.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia,
P.B. 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Telephone: +357 22205000
Fax: +357 22205001
Email: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Persons:
Marcia Trillidou
Scientific Officer A’
Email: trillidou@research.org.cy
Dr. Mary Economou
Scientific Officer
Email: meconomou@research.org.cy
EU Contact Point
European Commission, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
https://ec.europa.eu/info/departments/research-and-innovation_en#contact