Improving analytical capacity and understanding of the bargaining power and interactions of farmers with the operators of the value chains

The main goal of this opportunity is to strengthen the analytical capacity and understanding of how farmers interact and negotiate with other players in the agricultural and food value chains. This aims to support better governance and policy-making for a more effective, fair, and sustainable EU agriculture and food system. Key focus areas include studying market structures, value chain dynamics, production costs, price transmission, and risk distribution. The opportunity also seeks innovative policy and business solutions that empower farmers and improve their decision-making. Activities are centered on the European Union and its Member States.

• Enhance understanding of farmers’ roles, bargaining power, and contractual interactions across EU agri-food value chains, including cost, price, and risk transmission

• Develop analytical tools and models to support policymakers, researchers, farmers, and value-chain stakeholders in assessing governance and market dynamics

• Strengthen capacity of the research community to model agricultural sector market structures and economic flows, improving decision-making and policy design

• Align with CAP objectives and relevant EU legislation, including rules on unfair trading practices and market regulation.

• Support transitions toward sustainable, resilient, and competitive farming systems with fair income distribution along value chains

Example projects:

• A research project analyzing how farm cooperatives can improve farmers' bargaining power in the dairy sector.
• A study developing new digital tools to track price transmission along the grain supply chain.
• A pilot program testing new business models to reduce production risks for vegetable farmers in the EU.

• Personnel costs for researchers and project staff
• Costs of data collection and analysis
• Development of analytical tools and models
• Purchase of equipment and software necessary for the project
• Travel and accommodation for project-related activities
• Workshops, seminars, and stakeholder engagement activities
• Dissemination and communication of results
• Subcontracting for specific expertise or services
• Indirect costs as allowed under lump sum rules

All expenses must fit within the lump sum funding structure set by the program. Detailed restrictions may apply as outlined in the Horizon Europe guidance documents.

• Budget for this Call: 6.000.000€
• Number of Grants attributed: 1

• Consortium must include at least three independent legal entities from three different eligible countries, with at least one partner based in an EU Member State.

• All participants must be legal entities established in EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries and must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity, following Annex B and C requirements.

• Project must focus on the agri‑food supply chain, specifically enhancing analytical tools and evidence to understand farmers’ bargaining power, cost structures, and price transmission from inputs to consumers.

• The action type is typically an Innovation or Research & Innovation Action (RIA/IA)—proposals should include empirical analysis, multi-stakeholder engagement (farmers, cooperatives, industry, policy actors), data modelling and evidence-based policy support. 

• Standard Horizon Europe ethics, integrity, exclusion, conflict of interest, data protection, and legal compliance requirements apply under General Annexes A–G.