European partnership: Forests and Forestry for a Sustainable Future

The main goal of this opportunity is to support collaborative research and innovation that addresses the complex challenges faced by forests and forestry in Europe. It brings together key partners such as ministries, research organizations, industry, NGOs, and international networks to create coordinated solutions. The partnership focuses on developing new knowledge, innovative approaches for forest management, and strengthening the resilience of forest ecosystems to hazards like climate change. It also aims to balance environmental, economic, and social values while supporting rural development and international cooperation. The opportunity is open to all EU Member States, Countries Associated to Horizon Europe, and encourages collaboration with partners worldwide, including Ukraine.

• Participants must be from eligible countries (EU Member States, Associated Countries, and others with specific provisions).
• Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity.
• Proposals must meet evaluation and award criteria as set out in the guidelines.
• Projects should encourage international cooperation and align with FAIR data principles.
• Inclusion of social sciences and humanities is encouraged.

Examples:

• A research project involving universities from several EU countries to develop climate-resilient forestry techniques.
• A collaboration between a national forestry agency and an NGO to promote sustainable forest management in rural areas.
• An international network studying the impact of imported deforestation and proposing solutions for global supply chains.

• Personnel costs for researchers and project staff
• Costs for equipment and materials directly related to the project
• Travel and accommodation expenses for project meetings and fieldwork
• Subcontracting costs for specialized services
• Costs for organizing workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Data collection, management, and storage expenses
• Communication and dissemination activities
• Financial support to third parties (grants up to EUR 10,000,000 per third party)
• Administrative and overhead costs directly linked to the project

Note: Only 30% of eligible costs are covered by the grant. Financial support to third parties may exceed EUR 10,000,000 if justified in the proposal and necessary to achieve project objectives.

• Budget for this Call: 10.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Budget per project: 7.000.000€

• Applicants must be from eligible countries (EU Member States, Associated Countries, or others with special provisions).
• Applicants must demonstrate financial and operational capacity to carry out the project.
• Proposals must meet the evaluation and award criteria described in the guidelines.
• Applicants must set up appropriate legal and financial arrangements, including the 30% funding rate.
• Projects are encouraged to include international partners and promote cross-border cooperation.
• Involvement of social sciences and humanities is encouraged.