Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The European Commission is inviting grant applications under Horizon Europe to improve water resilience in agriculture through innovative groundwater management and climate adaptation solutions. The programme focuses on managed aquifer recharge (MAR), drought resilience, sustainable water use, groundwater ecosystem protection, and climate-smart agricultural systems across Europe.
The initiative has a total funding budget of €12 million, with approximately €6 million available per project to support scalable and sustainable water management solutions.
Overview of the Funding Opportunity
The programme supports projects that strengthen agricultural resilience to increasing droughts and water scarcity caused by climate change.
Key priorities include:
- Managed aquifer recharge (MAR)
- Groundwater recharge systems
- Sustainable agricultural water management
- Climate adaptation in farming systems
- Drought resilience
- Nature-based water solutions
- Groundwater monitoring and protection
- Water governance and policy support
The initiative aligns with major EU climate and water sustainability strategies.
Background and Context
Europe is facing:
- Increasing drought frequency
- Expanding water scarcity
- Pressure on groundwater resources
- Agricultural water insecurity
- Ecosystem degradation
The programme highlights the urgent need for better water storage and groundwater recharge systems that reduce overdependence on surface and groundwater abstraction.
Improving water resilience is considered essential for:
- Sustainable agriculture
- Food security
- Ecosystem protection
- Climate adaptation
- Rural resilience
Main Focus Areas
Projects are expected to address:
- Managed aquifer recharge techniques (MAR)
- Groundwater quality and quantity monitoring
- Climate adaptation in agriculture
- Ecosystem restoration
- Nature-based and engineered solutions
- Water-related ecosystem services
- Soil erosion reduction
- Runoff management
- Water governance systems
- Sustainable farming systems
- Carbon, water, and nature credit systems
- Cost-benefit analysis for water infrastructure
Projects should combine environmental sustainability with practical agricultural applications.
What is Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)?
Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) refers to techniques that intentionally recharge groundwater systems using methods such as:
- Infiltration basins
- Recharge wells
- Rainwater harvesting
- Surface water infiltration
- Treated water recharge systems
MAR helps:
- Restore groundwater levels
- Improve drought resilience
- Reduce water stress
- Enhance water storage capacity
- Protect ecosystems
The programme aims to adapt and expand MAR techniques across diverse European agricultural regions.
Funding Details
Total Funding Available
- €12,000,000
Expected Project Funding
- Approximately €6,000,000 per project
Projects are expected to deliver scalable and policy-relevant solutions.
Expected Project Activities
Projects should:
- Improve MAR systems at farm, basin, and catchment scales
- Develop methodologies for identifying suitable recharge locations
- Validate solutions through regional case studies
- Address climate risks and regional variability
- Improve groundwater monitoring systems
- Assess environmental and economic sustainability
Projects must also integrate both:
- Engineered solutions
- Nature-based solutions
Monitoring and Evaluation Requirements
Applicants must establish systems for:
- Monitoring groundwater quality
- Measuring groundwater quantity changes
- Tracking ecosystem impacts
- Reporting environmental outcomes
- Verifying sustainability performance
Monitoring systems should be:
- User-friendly
- Transparent
- Scalable
- Long-term compatible
Ecosystem and Environmental Protection
Projects must evaluate impacts on:
- Groundwater ecosystems
- Drinking water resources
- Aquatic ecosystems
- Terrestrial ecosystems
- Landscape resilience
Solutions should help:
- Reduce soil erosion
- Minimise runoff
- Improve ecosystem services
- Protect biodiversity
Business Models and Economic Sustainability
The programme also supports innovative financing and incentive models.
Projects should explore:
- Water credits
- Carbon credits
- Nature credits
- Payment schemes for farmers
- Compensation mechanisms
- Cost-benefit models
The financial sustainability of MAR systems must be tested through at least:
- Two case studies in different climate and soil regions
Governance and Policy Development
Projects are expected to create governance frameworks that support:
- Sustainable groundwater management
- Agricultural adaptation policies
- Regional water governance
- Cross-sector coordination
- Long-term water resilience planning
Frameworks should reflect different:
- Environmental conditions
- Socio-economic contexts
- Regulatory systems
Alignment with EU Strategies
The programme aligns with:
- EU Vision for Agriculture and Food
- European Water Resilience Strategy
- EU Climate Adaptation Strategy
- Horizon Europe sustainability goals
Projects should contribute to long-term climate and environmental resilience across Europe.
Eligibility Requirements
Eligibility is open to:
- Universities
- Research institutions
- NGOs
- Public authorities
- Companies
- International organisations
- Other legal entities
Applicants may come from:
- EU Member States
- Associated countries
- Non-associated third countries
Participation must comply with Horizon Europe rules and eligibility requirements.
Why This Programme Matters
Water scarcity and groundwater depletion are major threats to:
- Agriculture
- Food production
- Rural economies
- Ecosystems
- Climate resilience
This programme supports practical and science-based solutions that improve long-term water security while protecting ecosystems and supporting sustainable farming.
How the Programme Works
Application Process
- Develop a water resilience or MAR project concept
- Build partnerships with technical and regional stakeholders
- Design scalable and climate-adaptive solutions
- Include monitoring and governance components
- Demonstrate economic and environmental sustainability
- Submit the proposal under Horizon Europe guidelines
Projects should include strong scientific evidence and implementation strategies.
Tips for Strong Applications
Successful proposals should:
- Demonstrate climate adaptation impact
- Include scalable groundwater solutions
- Integrate nature-based approaches
- Show strong stakeholder engagement
- Include realistic business models
- Address policy relevance
- Include measurable monitoring indicators
Cross-disciplinary collaboration is strongly encouraged.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid:
- Weak climate adaptation strategies
- Limited stakeholder involvement
- Poor monitoring frameworks
- Lack of economic feasibility analysis
- Narrow geographic applicability
- Insufficient ecosystem protection measures
Projects should balance technical innovation with practical implementation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the main goal of this funding programme?
The programme aims to improve water resilience in agriculture through better groundwater management and climate adaptation solutions.
How much funding is available?
The total budget is €12 million, with around €6 million expected per project.
What is Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR)?
MAR refers to techniques that intentionally replenish groundwater systems to improve water storage and drought resilience.
Who can apply?
Any eligible legal entity, including universities, companies, NGOs, research organisations, and international institutions.
Are non-EU organisations eligible?
Yes, entities from non-associated third countries and international organisations may participate if they meet Horizon Europe requirements.
What types of solutions are encouraged?
The programme supports both engineered and nature-based water management solutions.
Are business and financing models required?
Yes, applicants must assess economic feasibility and explore sustainable financing mechanisms such as water or carbon credits.
Conclusion
The European Commission’s Horizon Europe funding initiative supports innovative solutions that strengthen agricultural water resilience and improve sustainable groundwater management across Europe. By promoting managed aquifer recharge, ecosystem protection, climate adaptation, and sustainable governance systems, the programme aims to address growing drought risks and long-term water scarcity challenges.
With €12 million in funding available, the initiative encourages collaborative, scalable, and science-based projects that support resilient agriculture, healthy ecosystems, and sustainable water use under changing climate conditions.
For more information, visit European Commission.