Deadline: 15-Jul-25
Applications are now open for the Transforming Mediterranean Food Systems to empower Consumers for Sustainable Diets Program.
Scope
- This topic aims to accelerate the adoption of innovations from PRIMA, Horizon 2020, and Horizon Europe projects to promote the Mediterranean diet, celebrated for its focus on plant-based, fresh, seasonal, and locally sourced foods. Renowned for its health benefits and environmental sustainability, the Mediterranean diet also holds cultural importance, recognized by UNESCO as both a nutritious eating pattern and valuable cultural heritage.
- The strategy includes educational campaigns and engagement activities that leverage existing projects, enhancing transparency and trust in the food system. By targeting specific demographics, the initiative aims to support dietary practices tailored to different needs, fostering sustainable adoption across communities. To reinforce this, the concept of local farming and the role of farmers in supplying fresh, locally sourced foods—a foundation of the Mediterranean diet—should be integral to this proposal. Emphasizing local food systems strengthens sustainable dietary practices by reconnecting consumers with producers, enhancing the accessibility and appeal of the Mediterranean diet, and making it easier for individuals to adopt this healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle.
Funding Information
- Total indicative amount allocated to this call: EUR 10.8 million.
Aspects
- Proposed activities should cover the following aspects:
- Encourage the development and adoption of sustainable, healthy, and preferably organic food products that align with dietary guidelines, taking into account consumer preferences and nutritional needs, to reinforce adherence to the Mediterranean diet.
- Implement hands-on training using virtual reality and gamification to educate different demographic groups on the benefits of the Mediterranean diet.
- Foster partnerships between consumers and researchers to develop innovative, personalized food solutions. Examples include AI-driven mobile apps that support sustainable food choices and provide data-driven dietary insights tailored to individual needs.
- Promote co-creation of adaptable frameworks that support the Mediterranean diet and sustainable food systems. Tailor policy recommendations to reflect dietary habits and preferences across different demographic segments, ensuring relevance and feasibility.
- Embed Mediterranean diet principles into public food procurement through pilot programs that support local economies, environmental sustainability, and nutritional quality. Customize these programs for various age groups, gather feedback, and scale effective practices to inform adaptable policy development
Expected Outcome
- Contributing to the European Green Deal priorities, the Farm-to-Fork Strategy for a fair, healthy, and environmentally friendly food system, and the EU’s climate goals for 2030 and 2050, this approach emphasizes initiatives that introduce the Mediterranean diet and organic products in schools, aiming to instill healthy eating habits in children from a young age. The strategy should integrate innovative technologies and methods to boost consumer awareness and engagement through educational campaigns. Key components include leveraging existing initiatives and digital tools, promoting policy dialogue, and fostering partnerships between consumers and researchers. Focusing on social innovation and consumer behaviour, participatory methods such as living labs are essential for facilitating meaningful and sustainable dietary shifts.
- The project is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
- Proposals should aim to demonstrate and implement innovative approaches that enhance the adoption of the Mediterranean diet across diverse age groups, such as children, adults, and older adults. Applicants are encouraged to select one or more of these demographics, promoting healthy eating habits in children through school-based programs, raising awareness among adults through community and workplace initiatives, and offering personalized dietary support for older adults.
- Proposals must incorporate cutting-edge educational campaigns, engagement strategies, and digital tools that deepen consumer understanding and participation in sustainable food systems. Additionally, proposals should address policy innovation by promoting tailored policy frameworks at EU, national, and regional levels, with a focus on using public food procurement as a strategic lever to drive demand for sustainable foods.
- As an Innovation Action, proposals should also deliver evidence-based recommendations, actively engage stakeholders, and establish monitoring mechanisms. This will support the development and deployment of effective policies that drive the widespread and sustainable adoption of the Mediterranean diet, ultimately contributing to PRIMA’s broader objectives.
Eligibility Criteria
- Entities eligible to participate
- Any legal entity, regardless of its place of establishment including legal entities from no associated third countries or international organizations (including international European research organizations) is eligible to participate (whether it is eligible for funding or not) provided that the conditions laid down in the Horizon Europe Regulation51 and any derogations to these as specified in the amending Decision (EU) 2024/1167 of the European Parliament and Council as regards the continuation of the Union’s participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon Europe have been met along with any other conditions laid down in the specific call topic.
- A ‘legal entity’ means any natural or legal person created and recognised as such under national law EU law or international law which has legal personality, and which may act in its own name exercise rights and be subject to obligations or an entity without legal personality.
- The PRIMA Participating States
- The following EU Member States (MS): Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, including the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to these Member States.
- The following third countries associated with Horizon Europe (AC): Israel, Tunisia, and Türkiye.
- The following Third Countries not Associated with Horizon Europe (TC): Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and Morocco. These countries will continue to be considered PRIMA Participating States only upon the conclusion of an agreement, in the form of an exchange of letter with the Union setting new terms for their continued participation in PRIMA to update the scientific and technological cooperation international agreements.
- These Associated Countries (AC) and Third Countries (TC) mentioned above are the Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC).
For more information, visit PRIMA.