Overcoming barriers and delivering innovative solutions to enable the green transition

Code: 33991 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-02-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 08/05/2024 | End submission calls: 24/09/2024

Under this topic, proposals should seek to address new, upcoming or unforeseen challenges related to barriers towards the green transition and propose creative or disruptive solutions to overcome them that are not covered by the other topics of Horizon Europe Cluster 6 calls in Work Programmes 2021-2022 and 2023-2024.

Closing the research gaps on Essential Biogeochemical Ocean Variables (EOVs) in support of global assessments

Code: 33989 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-02-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 08/05/2024 | End submission calls: 24/09/2024

This topic focuses on the procedure of closing the research gaps on Essential Biogeochemical Ocean Variables (EOVs).

Successful proposal results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved key biogeochemical ocean monitoring variables and indicators and to foster the development of regional approaches to ocean climate monitoring and reporting, overcoming current limitations and gaps;
• Improved Earth System Models representing key biogeochemical processes in the ocean with reduced uncertainty of climate change projections at regional scales, and reduced biases.
• Better understanding of the links between the ocean’s physical, biogeochemical and biodiversity components and their variability over time; the impacts of environmental stressors on ocean health, GHG sources and sinks, biology and ecosystems.

New knowledge and innovations for climate-smart farming - connecting research stations

Code: 33987 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-02-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 08/05/2024 | End submission calls: 24/09/2024

This topic is focused on new knowledge and innovations for climate-smart farming – connecting research stations.

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• The knowledge base of climate-smart farming practices is significantly expanded beyond the state of the art;
• Additional effective and innovative approaches for climate-smart agriculture in plant and animal production are developed and assessed in real conditions with all relevant actors involved;
• The widespread adoption by farmers of new knowledge, skills and innovative farming practices that mitigate emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) (in particular CO2, methane and nitrous oxide), and that foster adaptation of the sector to climate change, is accelerated.

Spotlight on plant priority pest: fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda)

Code: 33729 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-03-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 08/05/2024 | End submission calls: 24/09/2024

A successful proposal should support the farm to fork strategy to transition to fair, healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption, notably the target to reduce by 50% the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides and reduce the use by 50% of the more hazardous pesticides and the biodiversity strategy. Activities will work on protective measures against pests of plants and on measures to prevent the introduction into, establishment and spread within the Union territory of Spodoptera frugiperda (Smith).

European Partnership of Agriculture of Data

Code: 33727 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-02-01 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 02/05/2024 | End submission calls: 25/06/2024

This partnership aims to enhance climate, environmental and socioeconomic sustainability, and productivity of agriculture and to strengthen policy monitoring and evaluation capacities through exploiting the potential of Earth and environmental observation and other data, in combination with innovative data technologies.

Thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 31387 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

Successful proposals will focus on sharing knowledge in a language that is understandable and targeted at farmers and foresters. They will address primary producers’ need for unbiased and tailored knowledge about management options relevant to the needs, challenges or opportunities they face.

They will also accelerate innovation and acceptance of results and will be key to improving sustainability. They will contribute to effective Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).

Research findings are often not incorporated into agricultural and forestry practice.

EU-China international cooperation on improving monitoring for better integrated climate and biodiversity approaches, using environmental and Earth observation

Code: 31371 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposal is aiming to improve terrestrial monitoring as well as maximising synergies with biodiversity conservation and climate mitigation and adaptation, by using or acquiring environmental data, particularly geographically explicit data such as ground-based observation and remote sensed Earth observation data. This with a view to contribute to the objectives of climate-neutrality, adaptation to climate change and reversing biodiversity loss at global levels, with a focus on the EU and China.

Land use change and local / regional climate

Code: 31369 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The conservation and enhancement of Earth’s natural terrestrial carbon sinks such as soils and plants in forests, on farmed lands as well as peatlands and wetlands is crucial. The European Green Deal and EU sectoral policies such as the common agricultural policy give research and innovation (R&I) a significant role to play in supporting the design and implementation of policies that will ensure the achievement of the EU’s climate objectives.

Project implementation is expected to contribute to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and to help achieve climate-neutrality in the land-use sector by 2035 (combining net removals from Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry with biogenic emissions from agriculture) and climate neutrality of all sectors by 2050.

Demonstrating the potential of Naturebased Solutions and the New European Bauhaus to contribute to sustainable, inclusive and resilient living spaces and communities

Code: 31367 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The overall aim of this topic and associated R&I activities is to leverage the New European Bauhaus (NEB) core values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics in Nature-based Solutions (NBS), in light of a wider transformation to enable a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient society.

NBS can be an integral part of our living spaces that contribute to our well-being, promote togetherness and connect to our cultural heritage. There is growing evidence that NBS are a valuable entry for transforming behaviour towards sustainability, while contributing with multiple benefits that help communities address different societal challenges – from microclimate regulation to climate change, water management, green job creation, tourism opportunities, urban regeneration, health and well-being.

The NEB aims to make the European Green Deal a positive and tangible experience for citizens, connecting it to our daily lives and living spaces. It is a bridge between the world of science and technology, art and culture and is about leveraging our green and digital challenges to transform our lives and society. By integrating the values of sustainability, inclusion and aesthetics/quality of experience, the NEB supports the development of holistic solutions to global challenges through a place-based, participatory, and transdisciplinary approach.

Demonstrating Nature-based Solutions for the sustainable management of water resources in a changing climate, with special attention to reducing the impacts of extreme droughts

Code: 31364 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

Due to the changing climate, many European regions are already facing more frequent, severe, and longer lasting droughts. Extreme droughts can have cascading effects; e.g., they reduce water levels in rivers and ground water, stunt tree and crop growth, increase pest attacks, favour the occurrence of sand drifts and storms and fuel wildfires. Moreover, impacts of extreme droughts accumulate over time across large areas, and the effect can linger for years. In areas with an intense demand for water supply, the impacts of droughts add up to the stress imposed to water systems by human activities.

Nature-based Solutions are highly adaptable to respond to changing local conditions and are often more cost and resource efficient than purely technological approaches in the longer term.

River basin management plans are still limited in the recognition of NBS capacity to contribute to drought resilience. Furthermore, we are still missing more and longer-term evidence of the combined effects of different designs and combinations of NBS operating in different contexts (urban, peri-urban and rural) and/or at different scales and/or different climatic zones, in what regards the sustainable management of water resources to reduce the impacts of extreme droughts. At the same time, the co-benefit that these NBS may bring to reduce hydrogeological risks such as flood peaking and stabilising hydrographs for both droughts and floods is still to be demonstrated.

Promoting pollinator friendly farming systems

Code: 31359 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The production of many crops depends on pollinators. Different types of measures are needed to tackle the causes of pollinator decline, enhance crop pollination, and promote pollinators in agriculture. Many crops have specific traits, which have been identified to enhance crop–pollinator interactions. This could also improve crop yields, nutritional resources for pollinators and promote a pollinator-friendly agriculture.

Pollination activities are also impacted by variety (genotype), environment, and management practices (GxExM). Pollinator-specific planning needs to consider temporal and spatial crop management and other strategies of management (e.g., field margin composition and structure) to enhance pollination services.

Digital for nature

Code: 31356 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

A massive use of automated, and potentially mobile, sensor technologies (such as, but not limited to, images, video, sounds/ultra-sounds recording, spectral signatures, structure description by lidar, environmental DNA sampling, etc.) the use of remote sensing technologies (e.g. to over large areas, monitor environmental condition) and associated with processing algorithms (in particular, but not limited to, deep learning and AI processing algorithms) is therefore needed. The goal of this topic is to facilitate the access to data, encourage the usage of automated/robotic/space data collection systems for data collection, encourage community approaches for the exchange of data and good practices (in particular for data processing).

The successful proposal is expected to address the needs in terms of IT solutions, to increase information density, in terms of species and habitats sampled, territory coverage, timeliness, and accuracy.

Animal nutritional requirements and nutritional value of feed under different production management conditions

Code: 31339 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-5-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The proposed project will focus on existing or alternative source of nutrients using value chain approaches to maximize feed production and feed use efficiency, supporting the local environment and farm circularity.

The aim is to optimise the use of local feedstuffs, shorten supply chains and rely more on local resources. It is important to investigate content, availability and digestibility of nutrients in locally available feedstuffs in different pedo-climatic regions and livestock systems, without compromising feed safety and efficiency.

Increasing the availability and use of non-contentious inputs in organic farming

Code: 31265 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

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.

Conservation and protection of carbon-rich and biodiversity-rich forest ecosystems

Code: 31251 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Biodiversity-rich forest ecosystems, in particular at the species’ distribution edges, are at a high risk in light of a rapidly changing climate.
For tree species assisted migration and assisted gene flow is considered as a possibly solution in actively managed forests, the dependent forest communities (e.g., plants, fungi, insects, soil microorganisms etc.) might fail to follow the speed of habitat shifts what in turn may result in a loss of biodiversity. In addition, migration failure of mutualistic species (fungi, mycorrhiza) can jeopardize the success of tree migration.
Protected areas without the option for assisted migration, will particularly depend on the larger landscape context for community migration and adaptation, as many of them have not been designed to account for the long-term and large-scale dynamics.

Overall, this topic is focused on the conservation and protection of carbon-rich and biodiversity-rich forest ecosystems.

Dependence of society and the economy on pollinators

Code: 31249 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The importance of pollinators for humankind is common knowledge, featuring prominently outside of the scientific realm in popular culture and arts. Yet, even well-known benefits provided by pollinators such as crop pollination are still inadequately understood. Other benefits remain for the most part obscure, and thus unacknowledged, due to the lack of research targeting the complexity of pollinator niches and plant-pollinator networks. Amid the dramatic decline of pollinating species in Europe, these gaps hinder understanding of the character and full magnitude of threats to human wellbeing. Moreover, the gaps hinder mainstreaming of the conservation of pollinators, and more broadly biodiversity, in the public and private sector and thereby impede an effective societal response. This topic aims to address fundamental knowledge gaps in functional roles of pollinators in natural (natural plant-pollinators networks) and human-modified ecosystems (e.g. agro-ecosystem), and building on that i) advance research on far reaching consequences of their decline and scenario planning and ii) develop and disseminate tools that enable systematic mainstreaming in key sectors.

EU-African Union – towards climate-neutral, social just fair trade food systems

Code: 31245 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-11 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The farm to fork strategy aims to accelerate the transition to a sustainable food system that should have a neutral or positive environmental impact, help to mitigate climate change and adapt to its impacts. New opportunities in EU-African trade are opening-up for trade regimes with co-benefits for producers, climate and citizens.

The African countries signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement and launched an action plan for Boosting Intra-African Trade with a view to strengthening regional integration. It is also one of the key priorities of the Africa Agenda 2063 and a major step towards African continental economic integration.

Innovating for climate-neutral rural communities by 2050

Code: 31243 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The EU aims to be climate-neutral by 2050 – an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. This objective is in line with the EU’s commitment to global climate action under the Paris Agreement and it is reflected in the European Green Deal objectives. Considering that approximately one third of EU citizens live in rural areas, which represent 83% of the EU territory, it is key to empower rural communities to transit towards sustainability by fostering innovation in key areas such as environment and sustainable management of resources (air, soil, water), energy, transport, agriculture, industry, bioeconomy, and finance and ensure that no one is left behind.

Impact of the development of novel foods based on alternative sources of proteins

Code: 31240 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposal will support R&I to promote the production, provision and safe consumption of alternative sources of protein, and dietary shifts towards sustainable healthy nutrition, contributing to the transformation of food systems to deliver co-benefits for climate (mitigation and adaptation), biodiversity, environmental sustainability and circularity, sustainable healthy nutrition and safe food, food poverty reduction, empowerment of communities, and thriving businesses.

Novel foods can be newly developed, innovative foods, foods produced using new technologies and production processes, as well as foods that are or have been traditionally eaten outside of the EU. Alternative sources of proteins (i.e. other than conventional sources of proteins such as meat and dairy or mainstreamed from classical crops) may be considered as novel foods. Novel Foods can only be authorised in the EU market if they do not pose any risk to human health, the food’s intended use does not mislead consumers and are not nutritionally disadvantageous.

Paludiculture: large-scale demonstrations

Code: 31238 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

This topic will support the European Green Deal, notably its climate objectives and the EU proposal for a nature restoration law of the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030. Earth’s natural terrestrial carbon sinks, in particular peatlands and wetlands, are expected to play a crucial role in reaching EU climate objectives thanks to the conservation and restoration of ecosystems with large potential for carbon sequestration.

Promoting minor crops in farming systems

Code: 30844 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-02-3-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

Farmers face increasing pressure to shift production towards lower input systems, while continuing to ensure sufficient supplies of food and non-food products. Activities shall release the value of minor crops and promote their broader use in breeding, farming and in food/non-food value chains. For the purpose of this topic, minor crops are defined as underutilised and/or genetically diverse crops (including landraces and varieties).

Improving irrigation practices and technologies in agriculture

Code: 30842 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Successful proposals will contribute to increasing the resilience of agriculture to drought with innovative irrigation systems that increase efficiency in water management.

Increasing the circularity in electronics value chains

Code: 30820 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-3-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The circular economy action plan (CEAP) highlights electronics including information and communications technology (ICT) equipment as one of the four particularly important material and product streams with regard to their circularity potential and their environmental footprint.

Proposals should address the priorities set in the CEAP, which states that “electrical and electronic equipment continues to be one of the fastest growing waste streams in the EU, with current annual growth rates of 2%. Proposals should aim to implement traceability solutions in support of recent policy developments, e.g. regarding the digital product passport. Projects should also help produce harmonised and robust methods to assess the amount of recycled content in sectoral products, which is key for a future review of green claims through authorities and consumer organisations.

Unlock the potential of the New European Bauhaus in urban food system transformation

Code: 30817 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Sustainable food systems can be an integral part of our living spaces including urban gardens, rooftop gardens and other nature-based solutions and positively transform our food environments. Exploiting the vision of New European Bauhaus and providing inclusive access, education and capacity building can provide multi-functional benefits and help transforming food systems especially in urban and peri-urban areas.

The overall aim of this topic and associated R&I activities is to leverage the New European Bauhaus values for urban and peri-urban food system transformation by positively transforming the food environment to enable sustainable, inclusive, and aesthetic ways of food system transformation.

From silos to diversity – small-scale bio-based demonstration pilots

Code: 30813 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-6-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The current economy system is based on an intensive consumption of fossil fuels in a way that severely compromise the future of the planet due to the severe consequences in climate change. Europe’s future economic growth and jobs will increasingly have to come from innovation in sustainable products based on renewable resources and in line with the climate and biodiversity objectives. This topic addresses innovative business models and technology options in primary production sectors to unlock the potential of the bioeconomy in rural areas and to efficiently use underutilised biomass, in particular side streams from agriculture and forestry, for high value applications in small-scale bio-based demonstration pilots.

Creating smart and attractive tools to enhance healthy and sustainable food provision, eating and treating of food at home

Code: 30810 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The overall aim of this topic and associated R&I activities is to enhance healthy and sustainable diets aligned with national dietary advice by empowerment of citizens and their capacity to eat and cook at home in line with budgetary and time constraints as well as their living situation. Interventions should not target citizens directly, as full alignment with national policies and advice on nutrition and health needs to be ensured.

Preventing and reducing food waste to reduce environmental impacts and to help reach 2030 climate targets

Code: 30808 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Climate change and environmental degradation are recognised as the main challenges to tackle in the European Green Deal. Food waste prevention and reduction could contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation, pollution reduction, better air quality, biodiversity preservation.

This topic should focus on preventing and reducing food waste to reduce environmental impacts and to help reach 2030 climate targets.

Microbiome for flavour and texture in the organoleptic dietary shift

Code: 30806 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The need for a holistic approach to realize the full potential of microbiome innovation has to develop bioinformatics prediction of smell and taste of microbes to create new nuances and flavours.

Environmental impacts of food systems

Code: 30804 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

When considering wider environmental and climate impacts of food systems, more information is needed to understand these impacts, particularly when it comes to pollution stemming from food processing, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, trade, consumption (including emerging food consumption trends, such as products of alternative diets), food waste and end of life practices.

The successful proposal should fill the relevant knowledge and data gaps. It should explain how it will deliver co-benefits to some of the Food 2030 priorities: climate, biodiversity and environment, circularity and resource efficiency, innovation and empowering communities. The data should be aligned with, and support the relevant objectives of the upcoming Sustainable food system framework initiative.

This topic is focused on environmental impacts of food systems.

Selective breeding programme for organic aquaculture

Code: 30802 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Breeding under organic conditions is essential to achieve the objectives of organic aquaculture and respect its principles. Breeding is at the same time essential to allow the farmers to reach good productive results and efficient use of the resources under organic production conditions.

Proposals should plan breeding programs under organic aquaculture for the main European aquaculture finfish species, i.e. seabass, seabream, trout and salmon. They should breed organic juveniles under organic production conditions respecting high animal welfare standards and should aim to improve species resilience, diseases resistances and feed efficiency satisfying nutritional needs using as much as possible alternative feed materials to increase production sustainability.

Increasing the circularity in plastics value chains

Code: 30796 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The new circular economy action plan (CEAP) highlights plastics as one of the four particularly important material and product streams with regard to their circularity potential and their environmental footprint.

This topic is focused on increasing the circularity in plastics value chains.

Tools to increase the effectiveness of EU import controls for plant health

Code: 30792 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-3-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

Plant health is threatened by species injurious to plants and plant products, which now present a greater risk of being introduced into the Union territory owing to globalisation of trade and climate change. The current EU plant health legislative landscape aims at a proactive approach ensuring safe trade and mitigating the impacts of climate change on the health of the crops and forests in Europe.

Research activities should support these measures by contributing to the development of more rapid, reliable and economic innovative solutions and devices that can assist plant health inspectors at the borders. Technologies such as e-noses, acoustic devices, scanners, and portable devices for molecular identification of plant pests within hours/minutes of the specimen’s sampling often using limited amounts of plant or plant product material, and other relevant solutions, are included within the scope of this topic.

Ocean models for seasonal to decadal regional climate impacts and feedbacks

Code: 30783 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Most climate models include the ocean dimension that stops at the regional scale as defined by meteorology and climatology like in CORDEX In parallel, operational oceanography centres develop and operate ocean models (physics, biogeochemistry, sea-ice) for daily ocean forecasting and reanalysis that represent more exhaustively the full ocean dynamics. Methods should help close the gap between current climate projections (global, centennial) on the one hand and existing Copernicus Marine physics and biogeochemical models used for daily ocean forecasting.

This topic is focused on ocean models for regional climate impacts and feedbacks.

Holistic approaches for effective monitoring of water quality in urban areas

Code: 30780 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-ZEROPOLLUTION-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

This objective of this action is to develop and demonstrate a European wide ‘whole system monitoring approach’ to address emerging water pollution and water quality assurance in urban areas in various urban areas covering a wide number of water pollution challenges, , taking into consideration the interactions of pollution sources and pathways between urban areas and the surrounding river and where appropriate drainage basin, and improve the resilience of urban water systems towards pandemics and global and climate change challenges. New systemic concepts and holistic strategies to enhance urban water quality should be integrated and demonstrated in an operational environment, including decentralised systems, hybrid green-grey infrastructures or cascading use of water.

This topic is focused on a variety of holistic approaches for an effective monitoring of water quality in urban areas.

New circular solutions and decentralised approaches for water and wastewater management

Code: 30767 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-4-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Decentralised water and wastewater systems can play an important role in delivering such an innovative approach and has the potential for a sustainability transition of the water supply and sanitation sector, by treating wastewater close to its source. However, full and appropriate exploitation of these systems, requires further developments, in order to become economically affordable, ecologically sustainable and socially accepted. In addition, the integration between centralised and local, decentralised and/or semi-decentralised solutions should be further explored.

This topic is focused on new circular solutions and decentralised approaches for water and wastewater management.

Climate change and food safety: effects of climate change on food safety across food systems

Code: 30764 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposal will support R&I to foster advances in research related to integrated approaches along the food system for detecting, assessing, and mitigating food safety risks influenced by climate change.

This topic is focused on the effects of climate change on food safety across food systems.

Best available techniques to recover or recycle fertilising products from secondary raw materials

Code: 30719 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The scope of this CSA is the analysis of best available technologies for recovering/recycling fertilising products from secondary raw materials in Europe while limiting nitrogen and phosphorus pollution in soil, water and air and any other form of pollution from the use of such fertilising products and from the replacement of nitrogen- and phosphorus-based fertilisers produced from conventional processes (including mining and fossil-based processes). Examples of fertilising products within the scope are: recycled nutrients from urban and industrial waste water and sewage sludge, organic fertilising products from bio-waste, digestate and treated manure as well as other fertilising products from biological resources.

Thematic network tackling food fraud by translating research and innovation into practice

Code: 30711 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposals should therefore facilitate progress to preventing food fraud by translating research and innovation knowledge into practical applications.

This topic is focused on the thematic network tackling food fraud, translating research and innovation into practice.

Demonstrating how regions can operate within safe ecological and regional nitrogen and phosphorus boundaries

Code: 30709 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

This Innovation Action should demonstrate how to apply optimised N/P budgets, based on maximum allowable inputs of N/P at a regional/river basin scale, and create the necessary systemic and multi-actor transition pathways to ensure a sustainable integrated N/P management in the future. The aim is to show how N/P-relevant sectors (e.g., agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, industrial sectors, food/drink sector, water supply, water/waste management, bioenergy, fossil-based energy production, mining activities, transport, unintentional losses through leaching and run-off of agricultural nutrients etc.) in a given region can limit N/P emissions to air, water and soil from their activities by respecting pre-established regional N/P budgets and applying N/P balancing practices.

Minimising climate impact on aquaculture: mitigation and adaptation solutions for future climate regimes

Code: 30707 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-7-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Proposals are expected to enhance knowledge of the impacts of climate change on aquaculture production at environmental, social and economic levels.
This topic is focused on minimising the climate impact on aquaculture.

Tackling outbreaks of plant pests

Code: 30705 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-4-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Plant health is of global importance for agriculture, forestry, natural ecosystems, ecosystem services and biodiversity. Plant health is threatened by species injurious to plants and plant products, which present a greater risk of being introduced into the Union territory due to globalisation, trade and climate change. The prevention of entry and, if arrived within the EU territory, early detection and eradication are part of the plant health policies to avoid significant impacts in agriculture, forestry and environment by plant pests.

Proposals should target one or more plant pest(s) that are either Union quarantine plant pests present in the EU or Union quarantine pests which are priority pests in the EU, and that are of concern for agriculture and/or forestry, with the exception of plant pests targeted in Horizon Europe. Research activities should improve methods for an effective implementation of the principles of integrated pest management (IPM), whilst reflecting the move towards innovative biological and other non-chemical control and resistance breeding.

Sustainable organic food innovation labs: reinforcing the entire value chain

Code: 30703 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Investing in innovative careful processing techniques and sustainable and reusable packaging, streamlining the distribution and logistics of organic produce and agricultural input networks, and achieving a better understanding of quality and safety issues in organic supply chains, in combination with regulations, is important for creating new value for consumers.

This will enable small organic producers, in particular those located in remote areas, to find an outlet for their production and benefit from the added value of their organic certification. However, operators are often reluctant to convert to organics due to the lack of organised and efficient organic commercial supply chains. In addition to the cross-cutting problems faced by agri-food supply chains, organic distribution can entail high operating costs and an imbalance between supply and demand. Exchanging experience and knowledge can encourage the creation of local food markets and short supply chains, and uphold the integrity of the organic quality of the product.

Societal perceptions and benefits of rural life and jobs: will COVID 19 generate a long-lasting shift?

Code: 30685 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Rural areas are often described by the challenges they face: depopulation, demographic change, low income levels, limited access to services, low connectivity, discontent caused by the feeling of being overlooked and limited resilience. However, rural areas can be places of opportunities. Overall, there are increasing demands from the society that are putting pressure on rural areas and the Covid-19 crisis showed how important it is to keep essential services, e.g. the agri-food production that is an important part of the rural economies, active. To better respond to rural areas needs and challenges, and to revert the negative trends that affect the well-being of rural communities, it is important to better understand how rural life is perceived by urban and rural dwellers and to build a new narrative, based on facts, that highlight the opportunities of these places.

New sustainable business and production models for farmers and rural communities

Code: 30683 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

EU agri-food value chains are diverse and dynamic, enabling them to meet the various consumers’ expectations, potentially helping producers increase value added. At the same time agriculture is characterised by a stagnant and low share of value added in the value chain due to: high input costs, structure of the food value chains (concentration upstream and downstream), variation in production and incorporation of new services. Therefore, rural communities as well as farmers are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable business and production models that consider not only economic but also both social and environmental aspects. Moving towards more sustainable business and production systems requires adequate tools and measurement methods to assess and monitor the multi-performance of farms and rural businesses under different conditions.

This topic is focused on new sustainable business and production models for farmers and rural communities.

Successful proposals are expected to clearly address only one of the following areas: area A or area B.

Circular solutions for textile value chains through innovative sorting, recycling, and design for recycling

Code: 30663 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The topic aims at improved management of the end-of-life phase of textile products. Proposals should address one or more of the following subjects and aim to combine them where relevant in a systemic way: facilitation of the disintegration of textile products through design, sorting, and recycling of textiles.

Agro-pastoral/outdoor livestock systems and wildlife management

Code: 30661 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Agro-pastoral/outdoor livestock farming systems, which include a large number traditional activities in Europe such as grazing systems, mountain livestock farming, transhumance, silvo-pastoral and agroforestry systems, offer beneficial effects to animal production and to habitat maintenance, carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and soil protection.
The increased demand for natural resources by human population with the consequent fragmentation of wildlife habitat, together with the increased population of wild animals and the change in land use have often resulted in human-wildlife conflicts.
The implementation of a common and integrated approach at EU level is required to optimize the management of the co-existence of terrestrial wildlife (large carnivores, ungulates) and agro-pastoral/outdoor livestock systems at landscape level.

The successful proposal will help policy makers and other actors to monitor and improve the management of farming and terrestrial wildlife relationships, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture and ecosystem services.

Minimising climate impact on fisheries: mitigation and adaptation solutions for future climate regimes

Code: 30658 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-02-6-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

This topic is focused on minimising climate impact on fisheries.

Innovative technologies for zero pollution, zero-waste biorefineries

Code: 30656 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-ZEROPOLLUTION-02-2-two-stage Grant | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

Successful proposals will support researchers and innovators to improve the environmental performances and circularity of bio-based systems in industrial sectors.

Pollution from anthropogenic activities undermines the integrity of Earth ecosystems and severely affects the natural resources essential for human life. The EU bioeconomy strategy 2030 sets environmental protection at the basis of the modernisation of bio-based industries in the Union, to ensure a trustful green transition of EU economy away from a linear fossil-based system.

Circular design of bio-based processes and products

Code: 30653 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-02-5-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 17/09/2024

The bio-based processes and products within the scope of this topic do not include food, feed, biofuels, bioenergy and cultural and recreation sectors. The establishment of safe, resilient, competitive and equitable production and consumption systems with reduced environmental impacts on soil, water, and air quality, biodiversity and climate, is part of the objectives of the EU circular economy.

Successful proposals will enable the bio-based industries in the Union, including SMEs, to contribute to the enhancement of European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence and to the deployment of innovative and sustainable value-chains in the bio-based sectors as a prerequisite and driver of future solutions for a circular economy and the bioeconomy transitions.

EU-African Union cooperation on agroforestry management for climate change adaptation and mitigation

Code: 30651 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Achieving sustainable agricultural production that fosters both climate change mitigation and adaptation and biodiversity preservation and enhancement is a policy objective that implies finding a balance with farm productivity, socio-economic viability and wider sustainability goals. Agroforestry systems have the potential to increase ecosystem services – including soil carbon sequestration, water retention, erosion control, soil nutrients, pollination, pest- and disease-control – and biodiversity, while improving farming productivity, profitability and sustainability of farmers’ incomes. Implementation of agroforestry in the EU and the AU needs to be boosted in order to maximise this potential. The management of agroforestry systems is critical for their positive impact on climate and the environment as well as to ensure a balance with productivity and profitability for farmers. This is essential to promote the uptake and long-term sustainability of agroforestry.

New healthy and sustainable food products and processes

Code: 30643 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Further research is necessary to determine how the structural characteristics of plant-based foods deliver health benefits in modulating digestibility and in improving bioavailability of nutrients and how the physical structure may be modified by processing.

A food systems’ transformation is needed with a shift towards more healthy, safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable food for all, coupled with a respective change in the food production, distribution and consumption involving all the actors of the food chain.

A move to a plant-based diet with less red and processed meat, less salt, sugars, saturated and trans fats and additives, with more whole-grain cereals, fruit and vegetables, legumes and nuts, as well as processing efficiency and reduced losses and wastage along the food supply chains is needed.

This topic is focused on new healthy and sustainable food products and processes.

Citizens’ science as an opportunity to foster the transition to sustainable food systems

Code: 30641 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

There is a need for more data-driven decision making, engaging citizens in research through the provision of data on their practices, choices and attitudes towards the food system provides potential for a more direct citizen engagement in transforming food systems.

Citizen’s science is a fast-growing mode of research and innovation that can allow for enhanced food system transformation driven by engagement, trust and transparency. It can leverage relevant private relevant data to take stock of current citizens’ behaviour towards the food system, including aspects such as food consumption, marketing and food environment influence, health, mobility, regionality/locality, food-related waste generation and management, etc. by using collective intelligence.

This topic is focused on Citizens’ science as an opportunity to foster the transition to sustainable food systems.

Climate-smart use of wood in the construction sector to support the New European Bauhaus

Code: 30639 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

This topic will support the New European Bauhaus initiative and the implementation of the new EU forest strategy by making the construction sector more renewable and circular especially for existing buildings, which includes the use of currently underused timber such as hardwoods, salvage wood and post-consumer wood for traditional and newly emerging innovative woody biomass-based applications, while including circularity as part of a broader system and design loop.

Wood materials remain considerably under-utilised in the construction sector despite their durability and appreciation by end users. At the same time, there is a need for making the construction sector more renewable and circular, which includes the use of currently underused timber such as hardwoods, damage wood and post-consumer wood, while including circularity as part of a broader system and design loop. This requires new raw material sources and secondary material, technologies, and designs for wood components, specified products and for wooden buildings. Buildings need also to be adapted to climate change, including as regards summer and winter thermic performance.

Invasive alien species

Code: 30637 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Invasive alien species are one of the five main direct drivers of biodiversity loss. Besides inflicting major damage to nature and the economy, many invasive alien species also facilitate the outbreak and spread of infectious diseases, posing a threat to humans and native wildlife. Climate change and land-use changes facilitate the spread and establishment of many alien species and create new opportunities for them to become invasive. This topic is contributing to the adaptation to climate change.

Bioeconomy project development assistance

Code: 30634 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposal will improve the deployment of sustainable bioeconomy business models and solutions, which will help rural and coastal areas in achieving a just, green transition.

Regional ecosystems of innovation to foster food system transformation

Code: 30631 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

Collaboration between innovation actors across Europe is necessary to accelerate and master the innovative solutions needed for the food system transformation and the implementation of sustainable solutions.

Strong and well-connected food systems actors, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and industrial clusters, start-ups, universities/research centres, public authorities and civil society organisations, have the potential to become ecosystems of innovation facilitating coordination and multi-stakeholder engagement, to create an effective framework for action to support the food system transition in the EU and Associated Countries.

This topic is focused on the regional ecosystems of innovation to foster food system transformation.

Circular solutions for textile value chains based on extended producer responsibility

Code: 30629 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The purpose of this topic is to enable the optimal functioning of Extended Producer Responsibility schemes for textiles within the EU and to take into account the commitments of the textile strategy on Extended Producer Responsibility.

Proposals should aim to support the high-quality separate collection, preparation for treatment and treatment of used textiles and textile waste, thereby enabling the optimal functioning of EPR schemes in this sector.

Circular bioeconomy start-up villages

Code: 30627 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The proposal will contribute by accelerating rural fair and just transitions, developing innovative and sustainable value-chains and sharing platforms (e.g. Startup Village Forum).

Applicants should demonstrate how they will provide innovative circular, sustainable and socially fair bioeconomy solutions for:

• food systems transformation
• bio-based sectors, covering biological waste/residues and bio-based materials and products
• employing digital technologies and approaches.

Circular Cities and Regions Initiative’s project development assistance (CCRI-PDA)

Code: 30625 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposal will support the delivery of solutions to implement the European Green Deal, the circular economy action plan (CEAP) and the bioeconomy strategy. The topic will support the transition towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just circular economy across regions of Europe at local and regional scale.

The Circular Cities and Regions Initiative’s Project Development Assistance (CCRI-PDA) projects are part of the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI). The purpose of the CCRI-PDA is to help project promoters develop their circular economy proposals at local and regional scale by bringing together the technical, economic and legal expertise.

Innovative circular solutions for furniture

Code: 30622 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-3 Grant | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

A successful proposal will contribute to the following Destination impacts: i) enhance European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence, and ii) improve on consumer and citizen benefits.

Predominantly consisting of SMEs, the EU furniture industry employs around one million European workers and manufactures approximately a quarter of the world’s furniture.
Reuse activity in the sector is considered low. Where reuse does occur, it is mostly through commercial second-hand shops, social enterprise companies or charities.

Circularity concepts must be anchored in the design phase of products.

Digital information systems for bio-based products

Code: 30619 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Successful proposals will support the bio-based industries and the enablers of the digital transition in the Union to contribute to the development of innovative and sustainable value-chains in the bio-based sectors.

Digital technologies can track and report the journeys of products, components and materials and make the resulting data securely access.

The role of mainstream media, social media and marketing in fostering healthy and sustainable consumption patterns and how to encourage good practices

Code: 30617 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

The main objective of this topic is to better understand factors influencing dietary behaviour and to advance the understanding of the role of mainstream media, social media and digital marketing in fostering (un-)healthy and (un-)sustainable consumption patterns and to encourage good practices.

Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 30615 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

The successful proposals will focus on knowledge sharing in a language that is easy to understand and targeted to farmers and foresters. They will address the necessity of primary producers for impartial and tailored knowledge on the management choices related to the needs, challenges or opportunities they experience.
They will contribute to effective Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), thereby adding value to the knowledge and cost-effectiveness of innovative practices and techniques in and across primary production sectors, food and bioeconomy systems, and lead to more informed and engaged stakeholders and users of project results.

Additional activities for the European Partnership for a climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy

Code: 30605 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the European Partnership for a climate-neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy (SBEP) identified in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and first implemented under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-02: European Partnership for a climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy, and in particular to fund additional activities (which may also be undertaken by additional partners) in view of its intended scope and duration, and in accordance with Article 24(2) of the Horizon Europe Regulation.

This topic is for the continuation of the Sustainable Blue Economy Partnership (SBEP), i.e. EU contribution in WP 2023-2024.

The scope of the application for this call on the European partnership for a climate neutral, sustainable and productive Blue Economy should focus on duly justified continuation or additional priority areas, additional activities and additional partners, including from additional countries, delivering knowledge and solutions to make the blue economy sustainable and ensure that its benefits are distributed fairly, by aligning national, regional and EU R&I priorities and bringing together science, industry, governance and society.

Enhancing working conditions and strengthening the work force through digital and data technologies – the potential of robotics and augmented reality in agriculture

Code: 30598 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

Digital and data technologies can facilitate the work in agriculture, enhance working conditions and mitigate the challenge of a lack of work force, by which some branches and regions are affected. They have the potential of making farm-related jobs more attractive, including for younger generations, and to make them safer. Digital and data technologies can increase the effectiveness and efficiency of applications, including for instance through a higher level of precision, and thus increase the sustainability and competitiveness of the sector. Automation is increasingly used in agriculture; frequently, the cost-effectiveness of innovative digital and data technologies still presents a bottleneck to their use in the sector, particularly in fields where their application is not primarily relevant for increasing process efficiency and effectiveness. Technical solutions based on augmented reality approaches offer many opportunities to facilitate and enhance the use of digital technologies in agriculture, to enhance the performance of digital tools, and to provide remote assistance, which is important for remote businesses, particularly in rural areas.

A successful proposal will contribute to transition to a fair, healthy and resilient agriculture.

Systemic circular solutions for a sustainable tourism

Code: 30587 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Circular tourism should consider waste and water management, batteries and vehicles, electronics and ICT, packaging, plastics, construction and buildings, GHG emissions of local and long-distance mobility, accommodation and food services.

Proposals are expected to implement and demonstrate circular systemic solutions at the level of cities and regions, and include several sectors providing services for visitors and residents such as hospitality, transportation, culture, attractions, nature-based activities.

A successful proposal will contribute to the following Destination impacts: i) accelerate regional, rural, local/urban and consumer-based transitions, ii) enhance European industrial sustainability, competitiveness and resource independence, and iii) improve on consumer and citizen benefits.

Developing EU advisory networks on sustainable livestock systems

Code: 30585 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-13 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

The successful proposal will focus on advisor exchanges across the EU in order to increase the speed of knowledge creation and sharing, capacity building, demonstration of innovative solutions, as well as helping to bring them into practice, which accelerates the necessary transitions. Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS), in which advisors play a central role, are key drivers to speed up innovation and the uptake of research results by farmers.

This specific topic focuses on the important role that advisors can play in relation to boosting sustainable livestock systems in the future.

Organic farming thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 30583 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

Successful proposals will support the objectives of the European Green Deal, including on climate change, of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and of the farm to fork strategy, notably its target to reach at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. This topic addresses the necessity of organic farming producers for impartial and tailored knowledge on the management choices related to the needs, challenges or opportunities they experience. Successful proposals will speed up innovation and the uptake of results, and will contribute to effective Agriculture Knowledge and Innovation Systems (AKIS).

This topic aims at supporting the achievement of the farm to fork strategy target of at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030, for which knowledge and best practice exchange among farmers and across the EU and Associated Countries are fundamental, as it is recognised in the action plan for the development of organic production[4]. In this respect, it also aims to support climate change mitigation and adaptation, including carbon farming uptake.

Programmed biodegradation capability of bio-based materials and products, validated in specific environments

Code: 30579 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-5 Grant | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Biodegradability of materials and products for targeted applications may offer viable end-of-life solutions in case of safe and sustainable biodegradation either in open environments or under controlled conditions, i.e., in composting plants and anaerobic digestors.

This topic is focused on the programmed biodegradation capability of bio-based materials and products, validated in specific environments.

Demonstrating the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions

Code: 30577 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

This topic is focused on the demonstration of the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions.

Targeting aquatic extremophiles for sourcing novel enzymes, drugs, metabolites and chemicals

Code: 30574 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CircBio-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Extreme environments with huge bio-resources still present enormous challenges for exploration and sampling operations. Challenges are often due to the depth, pH, salinity, temperature and pressure conditions, which make exploration technically difficult, risky and expensive.

This topic is foucused on the targeting aquatic extremophiles for sourcing novel enzymes, drugs, metabolites and chemicals.

Developing EU advisory networks on forestry

Code: 30572 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-12 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

This specific topic focuses on the important role advisors can play related to more sustainable forestry in the future.

Biodiversity thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 30570 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-11 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

This topic is focused on biodiversity thematic networks.

Project results are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Support the implementation of the cross-cutting objective of modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture and rural areas, and encouraging their uptake.
• Collection and distribution of easily accessible practice-oriented knowledge on the thematic area chosen, in particular the existing best practices and research findings that are ready to be put into practice.
• Maintenance of the practical knowledge for the long-term – beyond the project period – in particular by using the main trusted dissemination channels that farmers/foresters most often consult.
• Increased flow of practical information between farmers/foresters in the EU in a geographically balanced way, creating spill-overs and taking account of the differences between territories.

Customisation/pre-operationalisation of prototypes end-user services in the area Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation

Code: 30568 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 28/02/2024

PCP: a joint procurement of research and development services – is launched to reinforce public demand driven innovation in end-user services in the area of climate adaptation and mitigation. PCP has the potential to be an effective demand side innovation action and a useful tool to close the gap between supply and demand for innovative solutions.

The PCP should deliver successful innovative and fully tested product(s) and/or service(s) that meet the common needs of a buyers’ group (consortium of procurers) to procure research, develop innovative marketable solutions, speed up the time-to-market and provide best value for money.

Transformative action of policy mixes, governance and digitalisation addressing biodiversity loss

Code: 30566 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

This topic is focused on the transformative action of policy mixes, governance and digitalisation addressing biodiversity loss.

Participation and empowerment of Arctic coastal, local, and indigenous communities in environmental decision-making

Code: 30540 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-COMMUNITIES-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Addressing ongoing Arctic environmental and societal changes requires that all relevant knowledge, indigenous/traditional and scientific knowledge alike, is mobilised to respond and govern the challenges posed by those changes, and communities empowered to take part in environmental decision-making.

Proposals are expected to contribute to sustainable and inclusive development, incorporating a better understanding of the environmental, socio-economic, cultural and demographic drivers of change.

This topic is focused on the participation and empowerment of Arctic coastal, local, and indigenous communities in environmental decision-making.

Biodiversity, economics and finance: Understanding macro-financial risks associated with biodiversity loss

Code: 30537 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

The successful proposal(s) will help unlock financial flows needed for reversing biodiversity loss, and contribute to mainstreaming biodiversity, ecosystem services and natural capital in the society and economy.

This topic is focused on understanding macro-financial risks associated with biodiversity loss.

Reintroduction of landscape features in intensive agricultural areas

Code: 30535 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-BIODIV-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

Successful proposals will contribute to develop and improve practices in agriculture to support and make sustainable use of biodiversity and a wide range of ecosystems services.

There is a need to reintroduce nature to improve the state of the environment by delivering ecosystem services and as a contribution to climate mitigation and adaptation. In particular it is needed to achieve ecological corridors, in conjunction with other multifunctional Nature-based Solutions.

This topic is focused on reintroduction of landscape features in intensive agricultural areas.

Socio-economic, climate and environmental aspects of paludiculture

Code: 30529 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2024-CLIMATE-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 17/10/2023 | End submission calls: 22/02/2024

This topic is focused on socio-economic, climate and environmental aspects of paludiculture.

Supporting the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance and Declaration

Code: 29349 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-02-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 25/05/2023 | End submission calls: 21/09/2023

The actions should aim at supporting a wider understanding of the opportunities and promoting a sustainable management of the Atlantic Ocean as a whole, through a large-scale basin effort involving both the northern and the southern parts of this ocean, and its interlinks with the adjacent polar areas.
To achieve this, it will be necessary to bring together and systematically connect scientists, a wide range of public and private stakeholders, including civil society and youth, with data, knowledge, expertise, capacities, infrastructures and resources.

Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI)’s circular systemic solutions

Code: 27078 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 26/09/2023

In the context of this topic, a circular systemic solution is defined as demonstration project for deploying a circular and climate-neutral economy at urban and/or regional scale, involving key stakeholders and, ideally, addressing more than one product value chain. Proposals are expected to implement and demonstrate at large scale circular systemic solutions for the deployment of the circular economy (including the circular bioeconomy) in cities and regions or their groupings. They should form part of the implementation of the European Commission’s Circular Cities and Regions Initiative (CCRI) and they should be carried out in close coordination and cooperation with the CCRI Coordination and Support Office (CCRI-CSO).

Novel, sustainable and circular bio-based textiles

Code: 27076 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 26/09/2023

Overall, the call addresses the design, demonstration and scale-up of production of sustainable and circular, bio-based textiles for one or more applications: e.g., technical textiles, garments, industrial textiles, home textiles; including also innovative smart textiles and those providing additional functionalities (e.g., antimicrobial or fire resistance properties). Blended, but only bio-based compositions, are included hereby.

Non-plant biomass feedstock for industrial applications: technologies and processes to convert non-lignocellulosic biomass and waste into bio-based chemicals, materials and products, improving the cascading valorisation of biomass

Code: 27070 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-02-3-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 26/09/2023

Circular bioeconomy will rely on the availability of diversified and low/no-ILUC (Indirect Land Use Change) sources of biomass but also on the ability to design, develop and scale-up processes to valorise such feedstock towards high-value, sustainable bio-based products. Non-Lignocellulosic Biomass (NLBM), and related residual non-lignocellulosic biomass’, provide options beyond plant biomass. However, NLBM from aquatic and terrestrial sources, often face challenges to reach economies of scale and biorefining production intensification, driven also by a complex and varying feedstock composition.

Supporting the fair and just transition from GHG-intensive economies facing challenges towards circular bioeconomy model regions

Code: 27068 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Projects results are expected to contribute to the outline widespread best practices showing the economic, social and environmental opportunities and the challenges of transforming GHG-intensive economies, such as coal mining, intensive agriculture such as livestock or crop production, forestry, and fisheries, and peat production, towards circular bioeconomy model regions.

Monitoring the multi-functionality of European forests

Code: 27065 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-14 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

To adequately manage forests and the services they provide, reliable, up-to-date, and coherent European forest information is more important.
This topic addresses the design of a comprehensive forest information system that aligns information on forest state, ecosystem services (including biomass) provision and socio-economic ecosystem services demand.

One hundred circular model households: making European households sustainable through inclusive circular practices

Code: 27063 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The transition from a take-make-waste society to sustainability, resource-efficiency and circularity will have to happen on the ground in the living environment, i.e. at the consumers’ homes, or it will not happen at all. We therefore should reduce the environmental footprint of households, and think about an ambitious GHG reduction target for households that could be tested at large scale via research and innovation funding. Areas to be addressed are e.g., household electronics, textiles, food, packaging and the respective waste, furniture, housing, modes of consumption in general, at the level of individual behavioural decisions.

Broadening the spectrum of robust enzymes and microbial hosts in industrial biotechnology

Code: 27061 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The overall scope focuses on widening the range of known robust enzymatic catalysts and industrial microbial hosts, as well as on the potential of scaling up their deployment and thus exploring their potential to offer significant gains in bio-based processes and their flexibility against variable process parameters, namely: resource efficiency, energy efficiency and other process metrics. These efforts will then eventually aim for development of novel, or significantly optimised, sustainable (bio-based) processes and products (e.g. chemicals, materials).

Novel culturing of aquatic organisms for blue biotechnology applications

Code: 27059 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-11 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The biotechnological exploitation of both pelagic and benthic marine and other aquatic (such as the ones living in fresh waters, transitional waters and ice ecosystems) organisms often requires their cultivation and the optimisation of production yield for the compounds of interest. Aquatic biota, and in particular marine ones (bacteria, algae, fungi or invertebrates such as sponges, corals and molluscs), cannot be easily cultured. The potential environmental footprint and impact on health, sustainability and biodiversity aspects need, nevertheless, to be thoroughly assessed and safety established, through risks analysis linked to possible dissemination of newly developed organisms in nature. Culturing methods should be developed in sealed conditions, such completely in vitro or in aquaria and mesocosms, with particular attention to avoid spread of non-indigenous species in the natural aquatic environment.

Symbiosis in the bio-based industrial ecosystems

Code: 27057 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Industrial symbiosis is instrumental for an effective circularity and zero pollution within the industrial ecosystems in the Union, as it is based on the sharing of resources between facilities when wastes or by-products from an industry or industrial process becomes the raw material for another. A well-developed symbiosis across bio-based facilities aims at zero-waste value chains, ensuring more local supply chains, minimizing the use of input material resources, while reducing all the environmental impacts on soil, water, and air quality, biodiversity and climate, of all the processes involved. Industrial bio-based facilities within the scope of this topic include those producing bio-based materials and products (e.g., paints, coatings, inks and dyes, polymers, construction materials, fibres, personal care products, plasticisers, adhesive, lubricants, platform chemicals, solvents, surfactants, etc.).

Eco-friendly consumer products – low-toxicity/zero pollution construction bio-based materials

Code: 27054 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Bio-based construction materials offer major opportunities to contribute to the climate-neutral and zero-pollution objectives of the European Green Deal, replacing fossil-based alternatives, and so, reducing the environmental footprint, while offering economic benefits to the actors involved. However, care needs to be taken to ensure sustainability of sourcing and production process, while guaranteeing safety and positive user experience. This calls for high level of innovation and creativity, ensuring full inclusiveness of participation for all actors.

Business models that balance the share of power and profit in the bioeconomy

Code: 27050 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The circular use of waste, by-products and residues from agriculture, forestry, and the agri-food industry can lead to the creation of new economic opportunities in rural areas. However, primary producers are often not fully integrated in bio-based value chains, and thus, benefits are not sufficiently distributed among value chain actors.

This topic addresses diverse forms of cooperation among primary producers and suitable business models to create high-value bio-based products in vertically integrated value chains via advanced biorefineries.

Capturing market trends and societal perceptions for tailor-made forest services

Code: 27047 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-13 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Forests provide invaluable benefits to people and the planet. There is an increasing demand on European forests to provide a high diversity of goods and ecosystem services at the same time. Forest owners should consider possible trade-offs and synergies with regards to the multifunctional role of forests, their interaction with climate change and their role for biodiversity. Therefore, there is a need for balanced and integrative approaches to ensure ecosystem services in the long-term and to provide sufficient resources for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy, while at the same time, contributing to GHG emissions reductions and carbon removals to contribute to 2030 and 2050 EU climate targets.
This topic addresses new opportunities for primary producers to diversify the income by developing new sustainable business models.

Land-based bioprospecting and production of bioactive compounds and functional materials for multiple bio-based value chains

Code: 27045 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CircBio-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Global terrestrial biodiversity remains a largely untapped source of natural bioactive molecules and compounds, often combined with interesting potential functional properties of high economic and social value. There are still significant opportunities to improve the biodiscovery process as well as understanding of specific biochemical pathways leading to high-value applications, especially with those with a reduced Green House Gas (GHG) emissions, in various sectors, based on novel biochemicals and functional bio-based materials.
This will increase capacity in the European biotechnology sector and other industries to respond to society’s needs. The challenge is to match sustainable sourcing and processing with efficient and cost-effective use. This calls for close cooperation between industrial and academic partners, with due consideration for health/safety and environmental legislation, and informed public engagement.

Environmental sustainability and circularity criteria for industrial bio-based systems

Code: 27043 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The environmental sustainability and circularity assessment of industrial bio-based systems is instrumental to guarantee and monitor that they are developed in a way they can contribute to the just green transition of the EU economy away from a linear fossil-based system. Such knowledge would have an impact on the programming of R&I support initiatives, to save resources and move faster towards the scaling-up of the most promising bio-based technologies, including focussing on the potential environmental hotspots of the emerging technologies.
The assessment of the environmental sustainability and circularity should benefit to the greatest extent possible from existing methodologies and indicators, which can be adapted if needed.

Biosensors and user-friendly diagnostic tools for environmental services

Code: 27041 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

A successful proposal will contribute to all Destination ‘Zero pollution’ and in particular impacts related to enhancing circular bio-based systems to operate according to planetary boundaries, replacing fossil-based systems and their carbon footprint, mitigating climate change, restoring biodiversity and protecting air, water and soil quality along supply chain of biological feedstock and industrial value chains within the EU and Associated Countries and across borders. Furthermore, it will contribute to substitute harmful chemicals by safer and more sustainable alternatives notably by boosting innovative biotechnology and other sustainable technologies to create zero-pollution bio-based solutions.

Knowledge and innovative solutions in agriculture for water availability and quality

Code: 27006 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Water availability and quality is one of the most pressing issues, affecting human health, limiting food production, limiting ecological services, and hindering economic growth.
Agriculture is currently accounting to around one fourth of the total water extraction in the EU, which is leading to tensions and in some cases to conflicts, in particular where illegal abstraction takes place. It is therefore crucial to prepare agriculture to adapt to a new context where water in agriculture is more sustainably and efficiently used, without compromising the water availability for other users or undermining the good status of waterbodies.

Industrial biotechnology approaches for improved sustainability and output of industrial bio-based processes

Code: 27004 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

A successful proposal under this topic will contribute to all Destination ‘’Zero pollution’ and in particular impacts related to enhancing circular bio-based systems to operate according to planetary boundaries, replacing fossil-based systems and their carbon footprint, mitigating climate change, restoring biodiversity and protecting air, water and soil quality along supply chain of biological feedstock and industrial value chains within the EU and Associated Countries and across borders. Furthermore, it will contribute by substituting harmful chemicals by safer, less toxic and generally more sustainable alternatives notably by boosting innovative biotechnology and other related technologies to create zero-pollution bio-based solutions.

Tackling human and climate change induced pollution in the Arctic - building resilient socio-ecological systems

Code: 27002 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Main environmental concerns in the Arctic stem from the loss of pristine environment and unique ecosystems. On one hand, ice melting allows for more people and economic activities to enter the area, and on the other hand, transboundary pollution brings into the Arctic contaminants whose sources are thousands of kilometres away.
Arctic economic development is associated with a high risk of air and marine pollution, particularly from oil spills, local mining, Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP), heavy metals, radioactive substances, marine litter and plastics. Pollution from Arctic shipping and tourism relying on heavy diesel fuels induce greater ice melting pack and have negative effects on marine life. Pollutants from local and distant sources are taken up by organisms and incorporated into polar food webs, jeopardizing human and environmental health. Another threat to the Arctic environment is the growing prevalence of marine litter, and specifically plastic pollution.

Proposals should aim at developing innovative approaches to address only one of the following options:

• Area A: Local and transboundary Pollutants in the Arctic – risks and challenges in a One Health approach
• Area B: Pollution and health risks linked to permafrost thaw

Safe-and-sustainable-by-design bio-based platform chemicals, additives, materials or products as alternatives

Code: 27000 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-02-2-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 26/09/2023

Projects are expected to contribute to:

• Enable circularity(-by-design) of final products, predominantly in applications where recyclability is currently hindered or very challenging, especially due safety implications;
• In addition to fossil-feedstock substitution, reduce the dependency on or replace harmful substances, in particular in materials and formulations, leading eventually to safe(r) (low human and eco-toxicity) final bio-based products, while meeting overall environmental sustainability requirements;
• Build on a portfolio of promising bio-based solutions showing potential for scaled up production and future market uptake of alternative, safe, circular and sustainable bio-based products.

Integrated assessment and monitoring of emerging pollutants in the marine environment

Code: 26998 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The projects are expected to develop and test integrated assessment and effect-based monitoring of impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on marine environment, ecosystems and biodiversity, including testing methods that are aligned with the relevant OECD guidance, and where relevant develop new contaminant thresholds. The projects are expected to adopt an integrated and systemic approach to the assessment of impacts, including not only impacts on marine biota but also the circulation, accumulation, magnification, persistence and degradation of the contaminants of emerging concern in marine environment and ecosystems (including marine sediments and deep-sea ecosystems) and their interaction with the changing marine environment. Projects should contribute to the improvement of understanding of the spatial and temporal distribution patterns of contaminants of emerging concern in marine environment and should close knowledge gaps as regards the characteristics, occurrence and impacts of those contaminants on marine environment and marine biodiversity. The projects should furthermore contribute to the understanding of impacts of contaminants of emerging concern on marine biota and on marine biodiversity and provide basis for the design of effective future measures for the protection of marine biodiversity from the impacts of such contaminants.

Strategies to prevent and reduce plastic packaging pollution from the food system

Code: 26996 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The use of single-use plastics in food packaging has grown significantly in the last decades, leading to increased pollution in the environment and greenhouse gas emissions. While plastic packaging is an enabler for the safety and shelf life of food products, contributing to the reduction of food waste, there is a need for improved solutions that promote the prevention and reduction of excessive packaging in the food industry. Often, the excessive food packaging results in its inappropriate disposal or littering by consumers. This can be reduced through the application of circular models for design and production and the proper disposal and recycling of packaging waste.

Optimisation of manure use along the management chain to mitigate GHG emissions and minimize nutrients/contaminants dispersion in the environment

Code: 26994 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-ZEROPOLLUTION-02-1-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 26/09/2023

Reducing the environmental and climate footprint of the livestock farming system is therefore of paramount importance. Furthermore, there is the need to do a comprehensive analysis of the effectiveness of mitigation strategies along the entire manure management chain and to take into account different GHGs and the pollution swapping effect, i.e. decreasing the emission of one GHG that can cause the increase of another one or the increase of the emission of the same GHG at one of the other stages of manure management. Another important aspect of manure management is to reduce environmental pollution caused among others by ammonia emissions, excess of nitrogen and phosphorus, by nitrate leakages, and by different components of manure, including potential contaminants, on air and water quality, on soil health, on animal health, welfare and productivity and on human health. Therefore, there is the need to develop further strategies and technologies for livestock farming systems to reduce GHG, ammonia and nitrate emissions from manure through an integrated approach for the management of manure, taking into account all steps: feeding, housing, handling, collection, treatment, storage and application.

Better understanding of routes of exposure and toxicological and ecological impacts of chemical pollution on terrestrial biodiversity

Code: 26992 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

This topic aims at better understanding the routes of exposure and toxicological and ecological impacts of chemical pollution (excluding industrial contamination) on terrestrial biodiversity and ecosystems (Area A).
Successful proposals are expected to assess the effects and impact of chemical pollutants, in particular the most dangerous substances from agriculture, on the condition of the biodiversity and ecosystems in natural environment (this may include environmental and host associated microbiomes) and consequently on human health, and identify preventive and mitigation measures. It is important to pay special attention to the fact that the reduction in the population of pollinating insects caused, inter alia, by the excessive use of pesticides in EU agriculture also contributes to reducing the amount of food for birds, reducing the regulation of pests, diseases and invasive alien species. More knowledge is also needed on additional negative impacts from other contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceuticals such as hormones and antibiotics, veterinary products and persistent e.g., bio-accumulative substances.

Integrative forest management for multiple ecosystem services and enhanced biodiversity

Code: 26986 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-15 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

This topic addresses integrative forest management strategies that optimise actively managed forest ecosystems in such a way that the ecological and socio-economic functions are sustainable and economic viable.

The aim is to achieve a better understanding how integrative forest management concepts (e.g. close-to-nature forestry, continuous cover forestry, retention forestry, etc.) are currently applied in Europe, their implications on the environment and biodiversity, society, and forest-based economy as well as to accelerate the implementation of innovative approaches through targeted and evidence-based guidelines and tools.

Impact of light and noise pollution on biodiversity

Code: 26984 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Light pollution is the alteration of natural lighting levels due to artificial light at night. Artificial light at night is a powerful environmental stressor which alters the biological rhythms of living organisms (fauna and flora), modifies species assemblages (e.g. fish in ports) and changes ecosystems at large. There is a broad scientific consensus that it poses a threat to biodiversity and this has led to growing concerns in recent years. Light pollution is specifically known to cause habitat fragmentation, impairing physiology and behaviour in fauna. It is notably thought to be a major factor in the gradual disappearance of insect and bird populations worldwide. Its effects seem to intensify with the use of LEDs (Light-Emitting Diodes) including outside cities. Another domain of light pollution is the horizontally polarised light reflection of certain artificial surfaces (e.g. roads and photovoltaic solar panels), posing significant threat to polarotactic insects that get trapped in search for water bodies.

Noise is an environmental factor which is also given growing attention. Expansion of human population, transport networks and extraction have a range of impacts upon species, depending on auditory capacities and noise wavelengths. Underwater noises that are due not only to shipping but also to pile drivers, sonars, seismic testing or windfarms are significant marine pollutants. Noise can be particularly problematic for marine organisms. It has been shown for instance that it may modify behaviour and physiology of invertebrates and it is suspected to increase infection risks and alter spawning behaviour of affected species. Evidence of the impact of noise pollution on ecosystems is also growing, like the reduction of the presence of songbirds in cities.

Interdisciplinary assessment of changes affecting terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, building on observation programmes

Code: 26981 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Project under this topic, are expected to contribute to the attribution of ecosystem changes to direct and indirect drivers, and monitoring of driver effects on ecosystems through time. Projects will also enhance the understanding of the adverse impacts of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, as well as the science base, leading to better design and monitoring conservation and restoration actions for terrestrial, freshwater, and transitional ecosystems, including the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, and increase of carbon removals, and supporting nature-based solutions.

Build up of knowledge on Nature Positive Economy and supporting its scale-up

Code: 26979 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Nature-based solutions (NBS) can play a particularly key role in leveraging of the economic and societal potential of nature with the development of existing and new market sectors with ‘nature-based enterprises’ (NBEs) at the core.
However, nature-positive economy where such NBEs can thrive is still at its infancy and enabling framework conditions are required to improve market conditions and to unlock investment. The market is encountering many specific difficulties due to market fragmentation, early stage of development and difficulty in assembling the required knowledge, skillset, and governance structures for supplying and maintaining “living solutions” such as nature-based solutions. There is a need at the same time to increase manyfold the investment in NBS.

Biodiversity friendly practices in agriculture – breeding for Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

Code: 26976 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-14 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Plant breeders need to consider more systematically characteristics that respond to these demands and contribute to crop resilience and adaptation, particularly to increasing biotic and abiotic stresses, in particular in the context of climate change.
Breeding for integrated pest management (IPM) aims to boost the development of plant varieties with tolerance of or resistance to relevant pest(s) and diseases, adapted to local environmental and pedo-climatic conditions, and diversification approaches with the goal of reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.

Valorisation of ecosystem services provided by legume crops

Code: 26974 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-16 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Τhere is an imperative need to reveal the full potential of diversification of cropping systems, with the aim of improving productivity, and supporting the development of resource-efficient and sustainable value chains. Protein-rich plants, and in particular legumes, play a key role in cross-cutting issues related to crop rotation, sustainable soil management and closing nutrient cycles.
The direct benefits of legume crops as food and feed are usually recognized, their environmental and economic benefits derived from the increase of the provision of the ecosystem services they provide, are less understood and not valorised. The focus of this proposal is on the economic and environmental benefits of the production of legume crops, regardless their cultivation purpose is for food or for feed uses.

Interlinkages between biodiversity loss and degradation of ecosystems and the emergence of zoonotic diseases

Code: 26972 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-17 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

This topic aims to identify and understand better the interlinkages between biodiversity loss with the linked ecosystem degradation and the emergence of zoonotic diseases. Further research is needed to better understand how the different drivers that lead to biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation, and how the protection of biodiversity and the restoration of ecosystems may influence the emergence and spread of zoonotic diseases. Also better understanding is needed on how the conservation of animal and microbiome genetic resources may influence the emergence of zoonotic diseases.

Understanding and reducing bycatch of protected species

Code: 26970 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Proposals under this topic are expected to contribute to the elimination or significant reduction of bycatch is achieved for marine mammals (e.g., up to 8500 dolphins killed each year in the Bay of Biscay), sea turtles (currently ~70 000 killed each year in EU waters) and seabirds (currently ~200 000 killed each year in EU waters) and sensitive or endangered fish species (e.g. elasmobranchs and sturgeons). Also, thea are aiming to impact bycatches (rate of interactions, fate of individuals post-release, by gear and by fishery, impact on population abundance and sustainability) on the conservation status of species are assessed and understood.

Demonstration of marine and coastal infrastructures as hybrid blue-grey Nature-based Solutions

Code: 26968 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Climate policies trigger the development of several-large scale infrastructures in the marine and coastal environment. Climate adaptation and impacts reduction strategies imply the increase of an already important development of coastal and urban protection from erosion, sea level rise and extreme events. Global trade is supported by enlarging or building new ports. They may cause trade-offs against endemic biodiversity and alter on-going natural eco-evolutionary responses. They may cause trade-offs against endemic biodiversity and ecology, but they could protect, restore or harbour functional ecosystems (even if mostly novel) providing critical functions and services opportunities to biodiversity by mimicking and integrating natural processes and features in their design.

Biodiversity, economics and finance: unlocking financial flows towards reversing of biodiversity loss

Code: 26966 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Τhe successful proposal will help unlock financial flows needed for reversing biodiversity loss and help better implement the sustainable finance taxonomy, thus contributing to mainstream biodiversity, ecosystem services and natural capital in the society and economy and to build approaches for enabling transformative changes to face societal challenges, including through the deployment of nature-based solutions (NBS).
The EU sustainable finance taxonomy and other similar initiatives are underway with the aim to help guide investments towards more sustainable outcomes, in line with the objectives of the European Green Deal.

Crop wild relatives for sustainable agriculture

Code: 26964 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-13 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Crop Wild Relatives (CWR) – is referred to as the wild cousins of cultivated crops – are a key asset for agrobiodiversity, sustainable agriculture and food security overall. CRWs contain genes for a multitude of useful traits such as tolerance to pest and diseases, resource efficiency and adaptability to more extreme weather conditions or nutritional quality. Their inherent genetic diversity together with the associated diversity of microbiota is a vast resource for developing more productive, nutritious and resilient crop varieties and for diversifying farming systems.
Despite their value, a wide range of CWRs are threatened and face pressures, e.g., from intensive agriculture, urbanisation, pollution and the effects of climate change. As a consequence, knowledge is lacking about the diversity that exists and precisely how that diversity may be used for crop improvement and in farming. More systematic efforts are needed to improve the conservation of CWR in –situ and ex-situ and increase their use in plant breeding and farming.

Biodiversity loss and enhancing ecosystem services in urban and peri-urban areas

Code: 26961 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-11 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

There is a lack of knowledge and know-how on:

• how to assess ecosystem condition and services in urban and peri-urban areas, and their contribution to the challenges of the cities,
• how to best plan and prioritise the protection, renaturing, and reconnecting of the NBS and green and blue infrastructure so as to optimise the ecosystem services and address the policy priorities of the city while ‘leaving no one behind’ as stressed by the European Green deal (e.g., promote urban and regional resilience, while addressing spatial justice to avoid increased inequality),
• how to combine, connect and manage different re-naturing actions and interventions and the scales of these actions- from an individual intervention to an urban and functional urban area in order to minimise the trade-offs and disservices and optimise the benefits in a cost effective and efficient manner.

Additional activities for the European Biodiversity Partnership: Biodiversa+

Code: 26959 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-18 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the European Partnership Biodiversa+ identified in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024.
The scope of the application for this call on the European partnership for Biodiversity Biodiversa+ should focus on the flagship programmes 2023-27 according to the partnership’s co-created strategic research and innovation agenda for seven years, which includes calls for research projects, biodiversity- and ecosystems monitoring and science-based policy advisory activities, and all horizontal activities to allow the Partnership to operate and to achieve its five specific objectives.

Reinforcing science policy support with IPBES and IPCC for better interconnected biodiversity and climate policies

Code: 26956 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-12 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

The European Union must take and demonstrate leadership in this field, notably by increasing its support to the EU and global biodiversity knowledge centres and to IPBES – and to elevate it to the same level as the IPCC.
Besides economic support, this also includes networking efforts to reinforce synergies and cooperation of the work of EU services, scientists and practitioners with CBD, IPBES, regional Multilateral Environmental Agreements, UN organisations and programmes, and other relevant research communities to underpin the implementation, monitoring and review of the post 2020 global biodiversity framework.
This action delivers targeted support to areas of specific interest for European research policy by using as well as contributing to IPBES outputs. It also helps European scientists, in particular those from southern, central and eastern EU countries, and those from the Western Balkans, Central Asia, and from Africa, who remain underrepresented, due to a lack of capacity to participate in meetings, networking or science input at global level, to play their role by contributing to EU and global regular assessments (EU ecosystem assessment, IPBES global assessments, Gap and Stocktake Reports, global biodiversity outlook). Major functions of IPBES still need to be further developed to achieve a proper level of uptake in Europe: knowledge generation, policy support and capacity building functions, including the task forces.

Nature protection: Better methods and knowledge to improve the conservation status of EU-protected species and habitats

Code: 26954 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Project under this topic, results will contribute to the following impact of destination “biodiversity and ecosystem services”: “to plan, manage and expand terrestrial and marine protected areas and improve the conservation status of species and habitats, based on up-to-date knowledge and solutions”. More specifically, project results will improve the setting of conservation objectives and measures for EU-protected habitats and species, thereby also ensuring that the network of Natura 2000 sites enable the maintenance or restoration of favourable conservation status.

Proposals should address Area A or Area B. Τhe Area should be clearly indicated on the application.

Restoration of deep-sea habitats

Code: 26952 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

Effects of passive restoration (protection measures) may take multiple decades before benefits may be felt. This is even more the case for deep-sea ecosystems. They have low energy density, slower biochemical processes and assemble species with long life cycle / span. Active restoration should be explored to help accelerate the restoration.
The restoration focus should not be only on species traits targets (population, assemblage, genetic diversity, sex determination, etc.), but also on ecosystem functions including adaptation potential.

Addressing biodiversity decline and promoting Nature-based Solutions in higher education

Code: 26946 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-BIODIV-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 28/03/2023

This topic aims to contribute to education, skills development and awareness raising about biodiversity loss, and how this can be addressed, notably with Nature-based Solutions (NBS), in the higher education sector. This is fundamental to further implement and upscale NBS and to mainstreaming biodiversity, ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, climate resilience and pollution reduction, and natural capital in the society and economy.

Ocean and coastal waters carbon- and biodiversity-rich ecosystems and habitats in Europe and the Polar Regions

Code: 26944 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Actions should aim at developing innovative approaches to address only one of the following options:

Option A: European and polar blue carbon hotspots and priority areas for climate policy frameworks and effective management – The research actions should map European and polar blue carbon hotspots and priority areas for carbon sequestration and climate change mitigation potential, including an estimate of the area/extent of the habitats. In doing so, the successful proposal should rely on the synergistic use of Earth Observation data (in-situ, airborne, satellite) and models to monitor, evaluate and quantify both carbon fluxes and carbon stocks and stock changes in ocean and coastal reservoirs, to evaluate current trends and improve modelling skills and predictions, including using space and in-situ existing datasets and climate records that can be used as proxy (e.g., Copernicus, EMODnet).

Option B: Uncover mitigation opportunities of newly emerging European and polar blue carbon habitats – The research action should conduct exploratory research into potentially new habitats emerging that could yield both mitigation and biodiversity benefits, if appropriately managed. Among the emerging habitats that should be tested in terms of their emerging role in carbon storage and sequestration, with the aim of understanding of carbon sink balances and climate change–feedback variability and reduce uncertainty in model projections, are: blue carbon change with sea ice losses; blue carbon gains from glacier retreat along fjords (fjordic blue carbon, i.e. seabed biological carbon gains as a result of recent rapid glacier retreat along fjords).

Pilot network of climate-positive organic farms

Code: 26942 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The conservation and enhancement of Earth’s natural terrestrial carbon sinks such as soils and plants, forests, farmed lands and wetlands is crucial. The European Green Deal gives research and innovation (R&I) a significant role to play in supporting the design and implementation of policies that will ensure the achievement of the EU’s climate objectives. Organic farming relies on management practices that contribute to climate change mitigation, with additional benefits for the environment and biodiversity.

Additional activities for the European Partnership Water Security for the Planet (Water4All)

Code: 26939 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the European Partnership Water4All identified in the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan 2021-2024 and first implemented under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2021-CLIMATE-01-02: European Partnership Water Security for the Planet, and in particular to fund additional activities (which may also be undertaken by additional partners).

Closing the research gaps on Essential Ocean Variables (EOVs) in support of global assessments

Code: 26681 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Actions should aim at developing innovative approaches to address only one following options:

Option A: Improving the monitoring, understanding, reporting (Essential Variables) and projections of essential physical oceanic processes related to climate and changes over time, and production of related Essential Ocean Variables and indicators, at regional or sea basin scale (sea state, ocean surface stress, sea ice, ocean surface heat fluxes, sea surface and subsurface salinity, sea surface height, sea surface and subsurface temperature, ocean circulation and surface and subsurface currents, ocean layering and density gradient, upwelling).

Option B: Improving the monitoring, understanding, reporting (Essential Variables) and projections of essential biogeochemical oceanic processes related to climate and changes over time at regional or sea basin scale (oxygen, nutrients, inorganic carbon, transient tracers, nitrous oxide, ocean colour, particulate matter, dissolved organic carbon, elemental and isotopic tracers, stable carbon isotopes, marine debris)

Option C: Improving the monitoring, understanding, reporting (Essential Variables) and projections of essential biological and ecosystem oceanic processes related to climate and changes over time at regional or sea basin scale (marine habitat properties, calcifying organisms, phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish, nekton migration, marine turtles, birds and mammals, hard coral, seagrass, mangrove, macroalgal canopy, microbe, invertebrate, ocean sound)

Improve the reliability and effectiveness of alternative water resources supply systems and technologies

Code: 26679 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The search for affordable, acceptable and reliable solutions is today a common challenge for water supply planners.
Assessments and recommendations of how alternative water supply sources and infrastructures can relate to existing water utility regimes remain unexplored and there is a need to explore how the regulations around these centralized regimes can support infrastructure diversification.
The objective of this action is to improve the sustainability of various alternative water supply resources in the context of climate change and water scarcity adaptation.

Demonstration network on climate-smart farming – linking research stations

Code: 26677 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

A wide adoption of practices contributing to mitigation of climate change and enhanced carbon storage by farmers is a priority to ensure that the EU reaches GHG mitigation objectives by 2030 and climate-neutrality for land use by 2035 and for the overall economy by 2050. Farming is also vulnerable to impacts of climate change; hence adaptation is of utmost importance. Project implementation is expected to contribute to mitigation of and adaptation to climate change and help achieve climate-neutrality.

Analysing fossil-energy dependence in agriculture to increase resilience against input price fluctuations

Code: 26673 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Successful proposals are expected to contribute to a better analytical tools and capacity to integrate the use of fossil energy and energy-intensive inputs in mineral fertilisers from the farming sector.

Enhancing the sustainable production of renewable energy at farm-level

Code: 26671 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-CLIMATE-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

A variety of different forms of renewable energy are produced in rural areas. Between these renewable energy sources and the environment, there can be trade-offs (e.g. land use change, biodiversity loss, air pollution) and synergies. Small and medium scale installations can provide opportunities for new cooperation in production, sales and distribution of renewable energy, and thus, can provide agricultural communities (conventional and organic sectors) with an extra source of income, while contributing to clean energy supply for society.
The variety of options result in complex considerations, as the potential, performance and impacts of renewable energy technologies depend on natural conditions, size and type of farm, approaches designed and implemented, management techniques, degree of mechanization, geographic location, and socio-economic factors, such as awareness ,about technologies and their implementation, investment and advice support for farmers, as well as the surrounding energy system and energy infrastructure.

Enhancing social inclusion in rural areas: focus on people in a vulnerable situation and social economy

Code: 26668 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Projects funded under this topic will contribute to build more inclusive, social resilient and prosperous European rural areas by improving the understanding of social inclusion and social economy challenges in rural areas, by taking stock of existing policies responses, and solutions for the provision of adequate services to the population in a vulnerable situation and for enhancing social economy and entrepreneurship.
Projects will address these challenges by piloting innovative solutions that foster social economy and improve social inclusion of people in a situation of vulnerability.

International benchmarking of rural and territorial policies and delivery mechanisms

Code: 26633 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The project funded under this topic should contribute to increase policymakers’ understanding of rural challenges and strengthen their capacities to implement adequate policy responses to these challenges in order to increase inclusive and sustainable well-being in rural areas, considering also climate change mitigation and adaptation. Proposals are expected to work by adopting a holistic vision to rural development and/or revitalisation, avoiding a sectorial approach (e.g. rural development should not be limited to agricultural development, but overarch several aspects of the rural life).

Assessing urban farming impacts

Code: 26630 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Projects results are expected to contribute in the improved knowledge on impacts and risks of various types of urban farming from the economic, environmental and social perspective, with a particular focus on spill-over effects into rural and peri-urban areas.

Improving rural future through better territorial governance and rural-urban synergies

Code: 26628 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Rural and urban areas are interdependent and can mutually benefit from a territorial planning that takes into consideration their interactive relationship.
Proposals should aim at improving rural-urban cooperation, connections and planning for an integrated territorial development that adopts equitable measures to respond to socio-environmental disparities and foster sustainable growth.

Investigating the contribution of geographical indications (GIs) to sustainable development and optimising support for newly established schemes

Code: 26626 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The EU is renowned for its high quality food products having specific characteristics or farming attributes that distinguish them in the marketplace, and particularly those labelled under registered geographical indications (GIs).
Quality schemes can benefit the rural and coastal economy. This is particularly the case in disadvantaged areas, in mountain areas and in the most remote regions where the farming sector already takes a significant part of the economy and production costs are high. They can create value for local communities through products that are deeply rooted in tradition, culture and geography.

Inclusive and smart ways to communicate sustainability of food

Code: 26620 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-COMMUNITIES-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The sustainability food labelling framework can help consumers in making sustainable food choices. An improved understanding of the drivers of food choices and the role of sustainability can support in using EU and national policy makers and government actions and funds most efficiently and using the best approaches. Information itself may not be enough to change citizens’ perception and actions, it should be addressed “in the right way” (emotional cues…etc.) and consider their current knowledge and information needs. Citizens’ food choices are subjective largely by food environments and there is a need to understand the influence of marketing and media as part of the environment, sometimes creating adverse effects.

Microbiomes fighting food waste through applicable solutions in food processing, packaging and shelf life

Code: 26615 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-16 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Proposals should aim for a holistic approach to realize the full potential that microbiome innovation has in terms of addressing food, health, environmental challenges and related economic problems and opportunities, to extend food shelf life and provide sustainable solutions in food processing and packaging.

Support for the implementation of a sustainable platform for the EU-African Union cooperation under the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership

Code: 26613 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-18 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Food and Nutrition Security and the Sustainability of Agriculture (FNSSA) are top priorities in the ‘Green Transition’ of the EU and Africa. The EU and the AU have adopted an enhanced Research & Innovation cooperation as their core strategy and approved a 10-year FNSSA Roadmap. The aim is to translate R&I efforts into tangible business, development and employment opportunities in Africa and Europe.

Support to the markets and trade of agroecological food products under the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership

Code: 26605 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-19 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Agroecology is a holistic approach that relies on and maximises the use of ecological processes to support agricultural production. By working more with nature and ecosystem services, it has the potential to increase farms’ circularity, diversification and autonomy, while preserving/enhancing biodiversity, and drive a full transformation of farming systems and agricultural value chains, from input substitution and beyond. Agroecological farming systems therefore have great potential to enhance the sustainability performance of agriculture and agricultural value chains that contribute to the objectives of the EU farm to fork strategy and the FNSSA partnership.

Cultured meat and cultured seafood – state of play and future prospects in the EU

Code: 26597 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-13 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Cell-based agriculture, and especially cultured meat (also called in vitro meat, lab-grown meat, artificial meat, cellular meat or cell-based meat) and cultured seafood, could be considered as a promising and innovative solution for promoting fair, safe, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems.
Few studies have been developed to understand the impact of the cultured meat cycle (production, consumption, waste) on the environment, and its link to social and cultural aspects. Rough estimates based on a life cycle assessment suggest lower GHG emissions, land requirements and water use compared to conventional meat. Cultured meat and cultured seafood also face social and cultural challenges.

Fostering resilient European food systems in a changing world

Code: 26595 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-15 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Understanding what drives our food system, both externally and internally, on a short-term basis and in the long-term, and how we can measure or monitor the drivers of change and their impacts on the food supply and food security is vital if we want to give policymakers and businesses better tools for making food systems more sustainable and more resilient to diverse shocks and stresses (such as pandemics, geopolitical disruptions, conflicts and economic sanctions, extreme climatic conditions, environmental changes, natural disasters or energy price increase). The project should point to some serious vulnerabilities, (inter)dependencies and critical infrastructure of the food systems, but also offer indications for policymakers and businesses about where to direct efforts and investments to improve resilience.

European partnership on animal health and welfare

Code: 26593 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The partnership should address terrestrial livestock and aquatic animals. Wildlife and companion animals will be addressed when there is a potential threat to public health or health of production animals. Therefore, the partnership’s co-created strategic research and innovation agenda, should include calls for research projects and integrative activities.
The partnership should coordinate research programmes and activities on animal health and welfare between the EU and its Member States and Associated Countries and trigger combined action.

Towards research and innovation beyond farm to fork strategy targets for pesticides after 2030

Code: 26590 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The use of chemical pesticides in agriculture harm non-target organisms including humans, contaminates the soil, water and the wider environment, and cause biodiversity decline in agricultural areas.

Research has shown that well-designed integrated pest management programmes can control weeds and pests in an ecologically friendly manner. A stronger R&I ecosystem should be put in place that would be able to contribute with sustainable solutions, assess the challenges of further reductions or phasing out chemical pesticides on food systems, including food security and affordability, and connect the different ongoing efforts and initiatives.

Advancing vaccine development for African swine fever

Code: 26588 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

A successful proposal will support research and innovation to help policy makers and economic operators reduce the burden of African swine fever (ASF), thus contributing to a safeguarding animal health and the economic resilience of the sustainable livestock industry.

ASF is a devastating viral disease that has showed its potential for very serious and rapid spread, not only in Europe, but throughout the world. Global research efforts are starting to show some promising results, but further work on the development of effective and safe ASF vaccines is needed, as an additional tool to re-inforce control and eradication strategies currently in place.

New detection methods on products derived from new genomic techniques for traceability, transparency and innovation in the food system

Code: 26585 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-11 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The successful proposals should contribute to ensuring traceability and authenticity, enhancing transparency and promoting innovation in the area of new genomic techniques.

The European Network of GMO Laboratories (ENGL) report, refers to the gene editing derived plant products, concluded that validation of an event-specific detection method and its implementation for market control will be feasible only for products carrying a known DNA alteration that has been shown to be unique, (i.e. the alteration should be specific for the gene edited organism/product). The report notes that several issues regarding the detection, identification and quantification of genome-edited products will require further consideration, as its findings are currently based on theoretical assessments.

EU-Africa Union – food safety

Code: 26533 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-20 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Food safety is a pre-condition for food trade. It aligns with the recent AU decision to establish the Africa Food Safety Agency to ensure the coordination of food safety at the continental level.

Innovations in plant protection: alternatives to reduce the use of pesticides focusing on candidates for substitution

Code: 26531 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The use of chemical pesticides in agriculture contributes to soil, water and air pollution, biodiversity loss and can harm non-target plants, insects, birds, mammals and amphibians.

For Plant Protection Products (PPPs) containing these active substances, Member States are required, when assessing an application for authorisation, to evaluate if these PPPs can be replaced (substituted) by other adequate solutions (chemical or non-chemical). Proposals should target one or more pesticides candidates for substitution in the EU and those pesticides which have been reported to be losing their efficiency due to the emergence of resistant pests.

Eradicate micronutrient deficiencies in the EU

Code: 26528 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The main objective of this topic is to contribute to the eradication of micronutrient deficiencies and reduction of nutrition inequalities across EU and Associated Countries at different levels (e.g. countries, regions, urban/rural/coastal areas) and for different communities of vulnerable groups such as infants, elderly, pregnant women, people with food intolerances/allergies, people with metabolic disorders on the one hand, and migrants and low income groups on the other hand.

EU-African Union cooperation – linking the activities of the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership and those of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP)

Code: 26526 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-17 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

In line with the European Green Deal priorities and in particular the farm to fork strategy, and in support of the African Free Trade Area, the successful proposal will contribute to the African Union (AU)-EU High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation, and its priority on Green Transition (and the respective R&I partnerships on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Change and Sustainable Energy), as well as to the implementation of the short-term actions outlined in the working document of the AU-EU Innovation Agenda, aiming to translate R&I efforts into tangible business, development and employment opportunities in Africa and Europe.

Towards sustainable livestock systems: European platform for evidence building and transitioning policy

Code: 26524 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The current debate on positive or negative impact and values of animal production is based on abundant contradictory data and on the difficulties in quantifying natural processes linked to agricultural production and land use. Negative and positive impacts and externalities, including potential trade-offs, should be deeply investigated in different types of farming systems, practices and environments. The project will build on a wide range of scientific information, reports, expert opinions and other available material such as databases.
The successful proposal will support policy makers with science-based evidence on the impacts and externalities of livestock farming as part of the food system and wider ecosystem.

European partnership on accelerating farming systems transition – agroecology living labs and research infrastructures

Code: 26522 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Agroecology living labs are characterised by very strong local embeddedness, multi-stakeholder involvement by a large diversity of origins, and knowledge intensiveness in the pursuit of and the innovations needed and produced.
Research infrastructures provide a wide range of services for research communities working in a long- term perspective.

The partnership’s co-created Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) should include calls for research projects and activities to boost place-based and multi-stakeholder co-creation of solutions. As such, it should boost fundamental research on agroecology through to applied research, and should give rise to ready-to-use solutions for scaling up in real-life environments. The partnership should cover issues pertaining to the transition to agroecology in all agricultural production systems, including but not limited to conventional agriculture, organic farming, agroforestry, permaculture, regenerative agriculture, urban farming, etc.

Thematic network ensuring food safety by translating research and innovation into practice

Code: 26520 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-12 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

In line with the farm to fork strategy the successful proposals will support food safety in the food system. Despite the continued generation of new knowledge and innovative solutions through funded European projects on how to ensure food safety in the food supply chain, they are often insufficiently exploited/known and widely applied by end-users for different reasons (official control authorities, food business operators, food safety risks assessors, etc.). Innovative ideas from practice are also insufficiently captured, exchanged and spread. Food safety knowledge and innovation ecosystems are insufficiently connected.

Providing marketing solutions to prevent and reduce the food waste related to marketing standards

Code: 26518 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-14 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

Food marketing standards are standards individuals and businesses comply with to be able to put food on the market or to sell to a particular buyer. These standards include or may include requirements about technical definitions, classification, presentation, marking and labelling, packaging, production method, conservation, storage, transport related administrative documents, certifications and time limits, restriction of use and disposal, …

As these standards focus on quality, they are different from food safety standards (foods that do not comply with marketing standards can still be safe to eat).

Improving yields in organic cropping systems

Code: 26516 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

One of the obstacles that hinders conversion to organic farming is the fact that several crops grown under organic conditions achieve lower yields per hectare as compared with those produced under conventional farming practices. Closing the yield gap is therefore important in order to further improve the economic competitiveness and resilience of the sector, as well as to increase farmers’ adoption of organic production.
Closing of the yield gap should not compromise the principles and objectives of organic farming, in particular with regard to the recycling of nutrients. Moreover, it is important that approaches and strategies aiming at bridging the yield gap in organic farming are holistic and take into consideration the implications on the entire farming system.

European partnership on sustainable food systems for people, planet and climate

Code: 26514 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The way in which food is produced on land, in fresh water and in oceans, as well as in aquaculture systems, fished, processed, packaged, distributed, valued, prepared, consumed, wasted and recycled should change to ensure that environmental, social and economic sustainability of food become core assets of EU’s food systems, along with food safety and food security. The prime condition for success is that a wide diversity of actors join forces in a Partnership.
This Partnership will provide a food systems R&I platform connecting local, national and European platforms, R&I programs and combining in-cash and in-kind resources in support of the transition to sustainable European food systems by 2030.

Using automatic species recognition and artificial intelligence to fight illegal fish discards and revolutionise fisheries control

Code: 26512 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 12/04/2023

The farm to fork strategy and the common fisheries policy aim to ensure that fishing and aquaculture are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable and provide a source of healthy food for EU citizens. The successful proposals should unequivocally contribute to phase out the practice of discarding unwanted fish and improving catch-reporting data by using automatic species recognition and artificial intelligence to analyse data sources, such as video footage, rapid DNA-based assays and sensor data in real-time through, for example, internet of things or similar monitoring systems.

To ensure that fisheries are ecologically, economically and socially sustainable and provide a source of healthy food, the EU needs to have in place a technologically advanced and effective fisheries monitoring and control system and the digitisation of fisheries is a key element.

Digital technologies supporting plant health early detection, territory surveillance and phytosanitary measures

Code: 26510 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-16 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Pest monitoring is typically performed through costly and time-consuming on-site visits, resulting in certain cases in limited spatial and temporal resolution. Consequently, there is a need for more cost-effective approaches to detect and discriminate infested plants, including trees, at large spatial scales and within reasonable time frames. The advent of new technology in remote sensing, sensor technologies, robotics, remotely piloted aerial systems (RPAS), the internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence (AI), opens opportunities for monitoring continuously, more widely, and remotely. These technologies have the potential to guide and help to target on site surveillance and early detection activities and other phytosanitary measures.

Advancing analytical capacity and tools to support EU agri-food policies post 2027

Code: 26508 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-2 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Successful proposals will advance analytical capacity and tools to support future evidence-based policies to accelerate the transition to sustainable food systems. While the focus is on agri-food policies, European Green Deal actions relating to climate and environment should also be integrated in the assessment/approaches where relevant.

Integrated assessment of land use and biomass demands to contribute to a sustainable healthy and fair bioeconomy

Code: 26505 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-7 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

In line with the European Green Deal priorities, the EU’s climate ambition for 2030 and 2050 and the bioeconomy strategy vision of an economic system that acts within environmental and social boundaries, the successful proposal will aim to develop or improve land use models and tools, enabling sustainability assessments to support better-informed policy- and decision-making processes, particularly on a national and regional level.

Data-driven solutions to foster industry’s contribution to inclusive and sustainable food systems

Code: 26503 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-17 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

This topic will enhance the sustainability performance and competitiveness in the domains covered by Cluster 6 through further deployment of digital and data technologies as key enablers.
Specifically, projects are expected to contribute in the increase of the insights into the potential benefits and feasibility of data and technology employed by the private sector together with public stakeholders to drive sustainable food system transformation while respecting the relevant legal and policy frameworks.

Developing EU advisory networks on the optimal fertiliser use

Code: 26501 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-22 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

This specific topic focuses on the important role advisors can play in relation to the soaring fertilizer prices and the ambition of the of the farm to fork and biodiversity strategies for 2030 to reduce nutrient losses to the environment from both organic and mineral fertilizers by at least 50%; and hence reduce the use of fertilisers by at least 20%, while ensuring no deterioration in soil fertility.

Revitalisation of European local (rural / peri-urban) communities with innovative bio-based business models and social innovation

Code: 26496 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-5 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Proposal results are expected to contribute for a higher impact of bio-based innovation to accelerate the transition from a linear fossil-based economy, which leads to overuse and depletion of natural resources, into a resource-efficient and circular bio-based systems operating within safe planetary boundaries. Also it will contribute for the public awareness, governance and especially social innovation contributing to reduced resource consumption and increased innovation capacity of all actors, in respect to circular bio-based sectors, reduced risk of leaving anyone behind, particularly in the areas and communities in need of revitalization (focus on rural and peri-urban areas).

Coordination and supporting action to increase synergies in the dissemination and exploitation of climate observations by World Meteorological Organization and its affiliated bodies

Code: 26494 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-9 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

This coordination and supporting action (CSA) is intended to support WMO, its affiliated bodies GCOS and IPCC, together with GEO in their common endeavours to establish a global system for standardised, open and interoperable climate observations and to exploit them so that they become available as services to the societies and citizens of the world to support their actions to adapt to climate change.
In general a successful proposal will be contributing to the further deployment, uptake and exploitation of Environmental Observation data and products in the context of the European Green Deal.

Support to EuroGEO initiative coordination/establishing a EuroGEO secretariat

Code: 26492 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-10 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

This action aims to prepare the transition of the existing EuroGEO initiative into a sustainable endeavour, by setting up a secretariat.

Towards CAP post 2027: evidence on nudging farmers to leverage more sustainable practices and behaviours

Code: 26489 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-3 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

The current agri-food system is inadequate to the need to cope with this increased demand while also preserving the environment.
The common agricultural policy is a key tool to achieve a sustainable transformation, and it puts farmers at the core of its actions. Evidence about the adoption of nudging tools in promoting environmentally sustainable practices along the food supply chain, including the role of circular bio-based options, are still relatively sparse. In particular, nudges that have been proved to work efficiently on the consumer side (e.g., default nudges, social norm nudges, choice architecture) do not translate well to farmers, and farmers may respond to nudges in a heterogeneous manner, based on their specificities.

Developing an interdisciplinary and inclusive pan-European academic network for food system science

Code: 26487 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-4 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

The project will build an interdisciplinary and inclusive pan-European academic network for food system science, that will integrate the social sciences and humanities, design, engineering and natural and applied sciences. The aim of the network is to federate research performers including universities, national science academies and research centres, academics and researchers across Europe to work together on sustainable food systems transition by carrying out inter- and transdisciplinary research, developing and applying new methods, models and tools, improving data and knowledge sharing, fostering debate and providing advice to policy makers for improved decision-making at all levels – from global to local, as needed.

Co-creation and trust-building measures for biotechnology and bio-based innovation systems

Code: 26484 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-6 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Projects results are expected to contribute to the development of a co-creation programme and guidelines on improved knowledge exchange and awareness raising for biotechnology with focus on bio-based innovation. Also it will focus on the improvement of innovation uptake for modern and emerging key enabling technologies, in particular (industrial) biotechnology and related bio-based value chains across the EU, supporting the EU Bioeconomy Strategy Action Plan and the Industrial Strategy.

European partnership of Agriculture of Data

Code: 26479 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-1 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

A successful proposal will contribute to the objectives of the Agriculture of Data partnership proposal including the strategic research and innovation agenda. This partnership aims to enhance climate, environmental and socio-economic sustainability and productivity of agriculture and to strengthen policy monitoring and evaluation capacities through exploiting the potential of Earth and environmental observation and other data, in combination with data technologies.

Developing EU advisory networks to reduce the use of pesticides

Code: 26477 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-21 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

This specific topic focuses on the important role advisors can play in relation to reducing pesticide use and risks to reach the associated target of the farm to fork and biodiversity strategies by promoting, for example, more sustainable farming techniques (e.g., integrated pest management and agroecology), carbon farming practices, and the use of non-chemical or biological methods for pest control.

Mobilising BIOEAST networks for the development of national bioeconomy action programmes in support of the European Green Deal

Code: 26471 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-8 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

The successful proposal will support R&I to strengthen the national bioeconomy networks in BIOEAST countries for the development of national bioeconomy action programmes and engage relevant stakeholders in the development of the action plans. Also it will contribute to the expected impacts of Destination ‘Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal’, and the European policies it supports, by supporting the establishment of the innovative governance models notably to achieve better informed decision-making processes, social engagement and innovation.

Developing an EU advisory network on organic agriculture

Code: 26468 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-20 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

This topic focuses on the important role that advisors can play in relation to boosting organic farming towards reaching the target of at least 25% of the EU’s agricultural land under organic farming by 2030. In particular, advisors can play a key role in encouraging conversion to organic farming and in facilitating this process to farmers, and overall in tackling the challenges of organic farming.

Reducing observation gaps in the land-sea interface area

Code: 26466 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-11 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Digitalisation in agriculture and forestry: markets for data, and digital technologies and infrastructure – state of play and foresight in a fast changing regulatory, trade and technical environment

Code: 26456 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-15 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

The potential of digital and data technologies in the agricultural and forestry sectors to enhance their sustainability and economic performance and working conditions has been acknowledged.
Policies and the regulatory framework directly or indirectly influencing the deployment of digital and data technologies in the EU are evolving in a fast pace and will continue to do so. For stakeholder in the agricultural, forestry and the digital sectors to invest in digital and data technologies, it is important to be able to assess the possible implications of changing regulatory and market conditions on the development, purchase and use of data, and digital and data technologies. This is also supported by an increase in information on markets and related actor networks, and information on the storage and the flows of goods and data, through increased transparency and a strengthened position of users and consumers.

Open source solutions for edge, cloud and mixed model applications to strengthen production and administrative capacities in agriculture

Code: 26454 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-13 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Digital and data technologies can improve the sustainability performance and competitiveness of the agricultural sector.
Digital solutions following the open-source principle can lead to reduced prices for digital applications and enhance transparency in production advice based on digital applications. Edge solutions may facilitate real-time applications also in areas with weak connectivity; they may, however, be run with less and/or other input data potentially resulting in another performance than cloud-based solutions or solutions following a mixed model of edge and cloud components. As data storage, processing and transfer goes along with energy consumption, the overall environmental performance of the different models for digital applications also varies and is also influenced by the number of users of a certain application.

Empowering citizens to monitor, report and act in partnership with relevant public authorities to protect their environment in the context of environmental compliance assurance

Code: 26451 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-12 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Successful proposals are expected to support citizen engagement in particular by encouraging the validation and uptake of citizen observations by relevant public authorities for environmental compliance assurance.

Broaden EIP Operational Group outcomes across borders by means of thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 26443 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-18 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Project results are expected to contribute to the cross-cutting objective of the CAP on modernising the sector by fostering and sharing of knowledge, innovation and digitalisation in agriculture and rural areas, and encouraging their uptake, as well as to the European Green Deal and farm to fork Strategy objectives and targets. It will also focus on the maintenance of practical knowledge in the long-term – beyond the project period – in particular by using the main trusted dissemination channels which farmers/foresters most often consult as well as on the increase of the practical information between farmers/foresters in the EU in a geographically balanced way.

Thematic networks to compile and share knowledge ready for practice

Code: 26441 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-19 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

In support of the European Green Deal, the EU’s climate policy, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the goals and objectives of the farm to farm strategy, successful proposals will focus on sharing knowledge in a language that is understandable and aimed at farmers and foresters. The results of the project are expected to contribute to the objective of modernizing knowledge exchange, innovation and digitization in agriculture and rural areas as well as the European Green Deal. The projects will focus on the increased flow of practical information between farmers/foresters in the EU in a geographically balanced way, creating spillover effects and taking into account differences between regions.

Digital and data technologies for livestock tracking

Code: 26439 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2023-GOVERNANCE-01-14 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 22/12/2022 | End submission calls: 23/03/2023

Livestock and its attributes are tracked for instance in the context of implementing the CAP, for disease prevention and mitigation, as well as to facilitate production and the management of supply chains. Livestock tracking may also e.g. support climate mitigation by assessing livestock density against land carrying capacity and reduce soil disturbance and compaction. It may also facilitate the provision of information to consumers on the products offered and enhance transparency along the supply chain and offer a means to against legal commitments of livestock densities, e.g. in the context of CAP strategic plans.
In general it is expected to indirectly support the enhancement of the sustainability performance and competitiveness in agriculture, the development of innovative governance models, and strengthened capacities for implementing, monitoring and evaluating common policies through research and innovation and through interlinking actors and relevant initiatives.

Environmental observations solutions contributing to meeting “One Health” challenges

Code: 15755 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-09 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The general scope of this topic is to explore areas of the One Health policy that would benefit from the use of environmental observation and how environmental observations can be used for further shaping policies in the context of e.g. human health, animal health (including zoonoses) and plant health.
A specific focus of the proposal should be on the monitoring of the evolution of ecosystem barriers in densely populated, industrialised or agricultural areas.

Assessing the nexus of extraction, production, consumption, trade and behaviour patterns and of climate change action on biodiversity in the context of transformative change

Code: 15752 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-BIODIV-01-08 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

A successful proposal must develop knowledge and tools to understand the role of transformative change for biodiversity policy making, accelerate and upscale biodiversity-relevant transformative changes in our society.
With focus on assessing the nexus of extraction, production (including processing), consumption, trade and behaviour patterns, including transformative changes for climate change on biodiversity for the EU and Associated Countries, international cooperation in particular with African countries, Brazil, Latin American and Caribbean countries or the Mediterranean region is strongly encouraged.

Uptake and validation of citizen observations to complement authoritative measurement within the urban environment and boost related citizen engagement

Code: 15595 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-08 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Successful proposals are expected to support citizen engagement, specifically the active role of citizens in the collection and use of data and information within the urban environment to complement the data and information collected through other means of observation (space-based, airborne, etc.).

New technologies for acquiring in-situ observation datasets to address climate change effects

Code: 15586 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-07 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

This topic is intended to support innovative technological solutions building on cutting-edge technologies in the domain of measurement and testing, big data and ICT to acquire necessary parameters from in-situ measurements required to ensure an integrated monitoring and model data assimilation necessary to respond to the climate transition and the European Green Deal challenges.

Water governance, economic and financial sustainability of water systems

Code: 15584 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-06 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

This topic aims to validate innovative multi-level water governance practices among various stakeholders to strengthen policy integration, coherence and coordination and assess their impacts on economy, social well-being and environment.

Innovative tools and methods to evaluate the design and support, monitoring and implementation of effective CAP strategic plans

Code: 15582 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-05 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The successful proposal will contribute to innovative governance and sound decision making in agricultural policies. In particular, they will contribute to achieving better informed decision-making processes, to establishing and monitoring innovative governance models enabling sustainability and resilience through enhanced and shared use of new knowledge, tools, foresight, and environmental observations as well as digital, modelling and forecasting capabilities. Proposals will focus on developing their CAP strategic plans.

AU-EU Combatting all forms of malnutrition

Code: 15574 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-13 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

A successful proposal will develop and test approaches to innovations that improve nutrition through a deeper understanding of the unmet nutritional needs, aspirations, behaviours and preferences of consumers who remain underserved by markets and face limited access to affordable nutritious foods.

Agro-ecological approaches in African agriculture systems

Code: 15572 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-12 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Projects results are expected to contribute to some of the following outcomes:

EU – Africa jointly tackle climate change and environmental-related challenges, ensuring food and nutrition security and decent livelihoods. Another outcome will be to identify optimal combinations of agro-ecological practices that increase the climate change mitigation and adaptation of different farming systems in different agro-ecological zones in Africa while ensuring the financial viability of businesses. Additionally, it is necessary the increased end-user adoption and implementation of agro-ecological practices by farmers supporting rural communities. All of the above will be achieved through transdisciplinary research.

Ecology of infectious animal diseases

Code: 15567 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-02-03-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

A successful proposal will support research and innovation (R&I) to help policy makers and relevant actors (e.g. business operators) in the prevention and control of infectious animal diseases in a changing environment, thus contributing to sustainable agriculture and to public health.

Emerging and future risks to plant health

Code: 15565 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-02-02-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Proposals should target one or more new or emerging plant pests (regulated, non-regulated, introduced or native) that are causing or likely to cause, significant (socio) economic and/or environmental losses to agriculture and/or forestry in the EU and/or Associated Countries. Within the scope of this topic are the selection of the pests, in doing so it is necessary to consider the potential threat in terms of development and spread, its potential exacerbation under climate change as well as the potential impact on agricultural production, forestry, trade and the wider environment (including soil and water).

Agroecological approaches for sustainable weed management

Code: 15561 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-02-01-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

A successful proposal should support the farm to fork’s strategy objective of a transition to a fair, healthy and resilient European agriculture, notably its objective to promote agroecology, and the target to reduce the overall use and risk of chemical pesticides, by unfolding the potential of agroecology to provide alternative weeding strategies that reduce or eliminate the use of pesticides used as herbicides. This will support the transition to sustainable, safe, productive, climate-neutral and resilient farming systems that minimise the pressure on ecosystems while ensuring fair economic returns for farmers.

Support for international research on infectious animal diseases

Code: 15557 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-15 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The action should support the activities of the STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium (Star-IDAZ IRC), aiming to strengthen the global network of research programme owners and funding organisations in order to achieve specific targets relating to the prevention and control of priority infectious animal diseases, including zoonoses, and related issues such as anti-microbial resistance and new emerging threats.

African food cities

Code: 15549 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-FARM2FORK-01-14 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

A successful proposal will build on initiatives like the Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP), on the FAO urban food agenda and upon the recommendations of the Task Force Rural Africa report. It will address big, intermediate and small cities and towns. It will address the fact that poorly planned urban food systems lack opportunities to link rural and urban food producers, markets and consumers, and limit the access of vulnerable groups to safe and healthy nutrition.
Projects results are expected to contribute to a shift to food security and improved nutrition in five African cities through a shift to healthy and affordable diets that reduces the pressure of food production on land and water use and reduces the climate footprint of downstream activities from farm to fork. Reducing the food-system-related environmental footprint, improving circularity, and providing citizens with new, sustainable and healthy products.

Integrated solutions for circularity in buildings and the construction sector

Code: 15545 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-01-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

This activity should demonstrate at large scale and deploy innovative climate-neutral circular solutions that prevent waste, expand the lifetime and improve the life cycle performance of buildings and their components, but also improve the quality of and the confidence in reused and recycled material.
Measures should strive for the use of more climate-neutral circular materials with low environmental footprint and tackle material recovery, upcycling, recycled content in products, durability and adaptability of buildings, and they should have a strong life cycle and digitalisation focus.

Life sciences and their convergence with digital technologies for prospecting, understanding and sustainably using biological resources

Code: 15542 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-05-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The topic aims to prevent pollution and sustainably manage and use natural resources within safe planetary boundaries, including in the deployment of the bioeconomy and the bio-based sectors. The topic focuses on bioinformatics, “cheminformatics” and artificial intelligence as approaches and tools to transform available information into biologically or biotechnologically applicable knowledge. It also aims to efficiently integrate digital technologies into bio-based operations to optimise value chains from a technical, economic, social and environmental point of view.

Exploring extreme environments: novel adaptation strategies at molecular level for bio-based innovation

Code: 15531 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-02-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The topic covers R&D needed to advance and potentially exploit knowledge on the ways terrestrial and aquatic organisms and their populations adapt, on molecular, physiological, and ecological levels, to the effects of climate change, such as by tolerance to extreme temperatures, drought/water stress, salinity or increased biotic pressures (new pests), as observed at macro-scale (e.g. shifting ecological niches). The scope covers understanding the complex interactions between the affected populations (e.g. molecular signalling), and broader outcomes on an ecological level.

Harnessing the digital revolution in the forest-based sector

Code: 15525 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-06-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

This topic addresses innovations in information systems for forest managers, forest-based industries and policy makers as well as advances in precision forestry, harvesting systems and forest nursery operation, optimised harvest planning, operations management, timber transport and logistics, as well as safety, ergonomics and smart assistance for human workers.

Photosynthesis revisited: climate emergency, “no pollution and zero-emission” challenge and industrial application

Code: 15487 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-04-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The topic covers innovative technologies with potential to boost the efficiency of photosynthesis, reduce the ‘climate penalty of plants’, and increase their sustainable industrial application. All photoautotrophic organisms such as plants, micro- and macro algae, cyanobacteria and purple sulphur bacteria are in the scope.

Sustainable biodegradable novel bio-based plastics: innovation for sustainability and end-of-life options of plastics

Code: 15485 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CIRCBIO-02-03-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

There is a need to develop innovative, sustainable bio-based and biodegradable plastics with novel properties and production processes to deliver environmentally friendly materials with the desired properties for long-term circular applications, markets and uses. The approach should combine environmental sustainability, circularity and functionality of the developed products and of the supply chain. Results should be aligned to recent policy developments on plastics.

Demonstration network on climate-smart farming – boosting the role of advisory services

Code: 15481 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CLIMATE-01-03 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The present topic deals with the advisory level. Learning from experiences on “real” farms led by sustainability-oriented farmers eager to pilot existing or new practice-ready techniques, this level will aim at enhancing up advisors’ competences by sharing widely climate neutral ready-for-practice solutions across the EU. This requires interaction between collaborative innovation ecosystems and will involve the main AKIS actors and AKIS coordination bodies in each Member State.

Fostering the resilience of agricultural production: from observation of changes to the development of resilience strategies

Code: 15478 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-CLIMATE-01-04 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Resilience of the farming sector to exogenous shocks needs to be boosted. Impacts of climate change in the short- to medium-term are gaining more importance and there is an urgent need to develop resilience strategies. It is also necessary to set up a capacity to observe the short-term to long-term impacts of climate change and reinforce strategies to deal with those impacts.

Boosting women-led innovation in farming and rural areas

Code: 15476 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-COMMUNITIES-01-01 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

The role that European women play in rural development and in farming is still widely under-researched. And so is their role as entrepreneurs and innovation leaders, the specifics of the innovations they develop and how the current governance framework contributes to boosting their innovation capacity or to hampering it. Τhis role is underestimated and that the potential of rural women to contribute to sustainability transitions remains partially untapped, in particular due to a lack of targeting in policy frameworks and innovation support systems.

Assessing and improving labour conditions and health and safety at work in farming

Code: 15474 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-COMMUNITIES-01-02 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Proposals should analyse health and safety at work issues in the farming sector with a specific focus on working conditions (and how they will evolve with digital transitions, climate change, health risks, regulatory developments on chemicals, farmers mental health, injuries, etc.) and labour conditions (seasonal patterns, working time, income and work outside legal contracts, including mobile EU and non-EU workers) also in relation to the perceived attractiveness of farming or working in farming as a job.

Integration of marine ecosystem service valuation, conservation and restoration in socio-economic models

Code: 15464 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-COMMUNITIES-01-03 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Coastal ecosystems play an important role in nutrient recycling/regulation, sediment stabilisation and transfer, food production, reducing risks and impacts of climate change, etc. Integrated coastal zone management requires more and better integration of ecosystem services’ valuation, management, conservation and restoration in socio-economic models through partnerships and collaborations between a range of multi-sector organisations, authorities and coastal communities for a balanced sustainable development and management of potentially vibrant coastal areas.

Social innovation in food sharing to strengthen urban communities’ food resilience

Code: 15461 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-COMMUNITIES-01-04 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Urban food sharing is still an unexplored – and debated – field; there is currently no agreed definition and many activities can be considered as part of it (e.g., kitchen spaces, meal sharing, food business incubators, collaborative delivery services, food donation). The lack of political interest, financing and sufficient data, as well as the existence of regulatory barriers and risks (both real and perceived), are holding back the rise of new food systems economies that work for all people and the planet.
The proposals should foster social innovation, with a special focus on building a more widespread and resilient food sharing economy.

Assessing the socio-politics of nature-based solutions for more inclusive and resilient communities

Code: 15459 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-COMMUNITIES-01-05 | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

Nature-based solutions (NBS) are already being delivered with increasing evidence on their effectiveness, but implementation issues persist, hindering NBS uptake and upscale. There is a need to move beyond seeing the implementation challenge as primarily a technical issue, to develop our understanding of the economic, social, political, moral and cultural dimensions of designing and implementing NBS.
NBS can also contribute to addressing inequities and well-being in communities and regions who need it most. Additionally, it is important to further adopt the understanding of how diverse actors – who may operate at different scales and through multiple networks – are engaged in the development and implementation of NBS, focusing on the deployment of NBS implies collaboration across different regions, administrative areas or simply different types of land owners.

Maintaining and restoring pollinators and pollination services in European agricultural landscapes

Code: 15457 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2022-BIODIV-02-01-two-stage | Programme name: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 28/10/2021 | End submission calls: 15/02/2022

This topic aims at maintaining and restoring species-rich pollinator communities and their services in agricultural landscapes dominated by intensive land use, and facilitating the uptake of pollinator-friendly practices at wider scale.

Understanding the oceanic carbon cycle