Additional activities for the European partnership on accelerating farming systems transition - agroecology living labs and research infrastructures

The main goal of this opportunity is to accelerate the transition of farming systems through the use of agroecology living labs and research infrastructures. It aims to fund additional activities that support the development of an EU-wide network of agroecology living labs, create tools and metrics for monitoring agroecology transitions, and promote evidence-based policymaking. The focus is on promoting sustainable and agroecological farming practices across varied climates and soil conditions, supporting both conventional and organic systems. The scope covers EU Member States, Associated countries, and other eligible regions, with special attention to areas with limited adoption of agroecology and fostering international cooperation, including with Africa.

• Projects must align with the partnership’s strategic research and innovation agenda.
• The proposal must be submitted by the coordinator of the consortium funded under the specified Horizon Europe partnership.
• Additional activities may include new partners.
• Projects should balance financial support to third parties and internal activities.
• Eligible activities include calls for research projects, setting up networks, developing indicators and tools, and supporting policymaking.

Examples:

• A project that launches a call for research on agroecological practices in Central and Eastern Europe.
• Setting up a new living lab in an EU outermost region to test sustainable farming solutions.
• Developing digital tools to monitor agroecology transitions and sharing them across the EU network.

• Personnel costs for staff working on the project
• Equipment and materials needed for research activities
• Costs for setting up and operating living labs
• Travel and accommodation for project meetings and field work
• Subcontracting for specialized services
• Development and maintenance of digital tools and monitoring systems
• Dissemination and communication activities
• Workshops, conferences, and stakeholder engagement events
• Financial support to third parties, provided as grants
• Administrative and management costs related to project coordination

Restrictions: Only costs incurred from the starting date of the action are eligible. Financial support to third parties is limited to EUR 10,000,000 per third party unless a higher amount is justified in the proposal.

• Co-financing rate: 50% of eligible costs
• Budget for this Call: 30.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1
• Budget per project: 9.000.000€

• The proposal must be submitted by the coordinator of the consortium funded under the relevant Horizon Europe partnership.
• Additional partners may be included in the proposal.
• The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a consortium member.
• Projects using satellite-based earth observation or navigation must use Copernicus and/or Galileo/EGNOS services, but may also use other sources.
• Applicants must be from eligible countries (EU Member States, Associated countries, or those with provisions for Horizon Europe funding).
• Proposals must align with the partnership’s strategic research and innovation agenda.
• Eligibility may depend on forming networks or partnerships, especially for setting up living labs and research infrastructures.