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Call for Proposals: Enhancing Organic Farming with Cost-Effective Innovation

Deadline: 14-Apr-2026

The European Commission invites proposals to develop safe, viable, and cost-effective innovations in organic farming, addressing agronomic, sustainability, and market-related challenges. Grants of up to €6 million per project support solutions that enhance sector competitiveness, resilience, and compliance with EU policies on biodiversity, climate, and zero pollution.

About the Initiative

This 2026 EU call focuses on strengthening innovation and research in organic farming to improve sustainability, efficiency, and market competitiveness. The initiative supports projects that provide farmers, advisors, agri-food operators, policymakers, and citizens with new knowledge, tools, and practices to enhance the performance of organic farming systems. Projects should align with EU frameworks including the Horizon Europe Partnership on Agroecology, biodiversity strategies, zero pollution goals, and climate policies.

Key Focus Areas

Projects should address the following priorities:

  1. Agronomic Innovations – Develop solutions for crop and livestock systems that improve yield, resilience, and soil health under diverse pedo-climatic conditions.

  2. Sustainability Practices – Promote environmentally friendly farming methods, resource efficiency, and biodiversity-friendly management.

  3. Market and Policy Integration – Support organic market development, regulatory compliance, and policy implementation.

  4. Knowledge Exchange – Facilitate the transfer of research and innovation to farmers, advisors, and stakeholders through training, workshops, and participatory approaches.

  5. Multi-Actor Collaboration – Engage farmers, research institutions, advisory services, and agri-food operators to co-create and validate solutions.

  6. EU Policy Alignment – Contribute to sustainability, climate, and biodiversity objectives while supporting the efficiency and attractiveness of the organic sector.

Why It Matters

Organic farming is a cornerstone of sustainable agriculture in Europe. Innovations in agronomy, sustainability, and market practices are essential to:

  • Enhance the competitiveness and resilience of the organic sector.

  • Promote biodiversity, soil health, and zero pollution in farming systems.

  • Support EU climate and sustainability policies.

  • Encourage knowledge exchange and stakeholder participation across the value chain.

Who is Eligible?

  • Legal entities, research institutions, universities, SMEs, and multi-disciplinary consortia from the EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

  • Stakeholders across the organic value chain, including farmers, advisors, and agri-food operators.

Funding: Total funding of €12,000,000, with individual proposals receiving around €6,000,000.

How to Apply

  1. Check Eligibility – Ensure your organization and project meet Horizon Europe and EU funding requirements.

  2. Define Objectives – Focus on agronomic, sustainability, and market-related innovations in organic farming.

  3. Design Multi-Actor Collaboration – Include farmers, advisors, researchers, and value chain stakeholders.

  4. Pilot and Validate Solutions – Test innovations under diverse pedo-climatic conditions across the EU.

  5. Facilitate Knowledge Exchange – Develop training, workshops, and participatory approaches to promote adoption.

  6. Align with EU Policies – Ensure proposals contribute to biodiversity, zero pollution, climate, and agroecology strategies.

  7. Submit Proposal – Follow Horizon Europe submission portal instructions and comply with all requirements.

  8. Evaluation and Funding – Projects assessed based on innovation, feasibility, scalability, sustainability, and policy relevance.

Common Tips for Applicants

  • Focus on measurable improvements in organic farm productivity and sustainability.

  • Ensure active participation of farmers and stakeholders throughout the project.

  • Include validation in multiple EU regions and diverse pedo-climatic conditions.

  • Highlight alignment with EU policies and existing Horizon Europe initiatives.

  • Showcase potential for adoption and scalability across the organic sector.

FAQs

  1. Who can apply for this funding? Legal entities, research institutions, universities, SMEs, and consortia from EU and Horizon Europe Associated Countries.

  2. What is the funding amount per project? Around €6,000,000 per proposal, with a total funding pool of €12,000,000.

  3. Which areas of organic farming are eligible? Crop and livestock systems, including agronomic, sustainability, and market-related innovations.

  4. Is stakeholder engagement required? Yes, active involvement of farmers, advisors, and agri-food operators is essential.

  5. Do proposals need to align with EU policies? Yes, projects must contribute to biodiversity, climate, zero pollution, and agroecology strategies.

  6. Should projects be piloted across multiple regions? Yes, solutions should be tested under diverse pedo-climatic conditions across the EU.

  7. Can SMEs participate? Yes, SMEs, start-ups, and multi-actor consortia are encouraged to apply.

Conclusion

The European Commission’s 2026 organic farming funding supports innovations that enhance the sustainability, efficiency, and resilience of the sector. By integrating agronomic, sustainability, and market-focused solutions with multi-actor collaboration and EU policy alignment, funded projects will strengthen the competitiveness of European organic farming while supporting biodiversity, climate adaptation, and zero pollution goals.

For more information, visit European Commission.