Deadline: 15-Feb-22
The European Commission is inviting proposals for Maximising economic, environmental and social synergies in the provision of feedstock for bio-based sectors through diversification and increased sustainability of agricultural production systems.
Scope
- Securing long-term supply of affordable and sustainable biomass is a key challenge for the European bioeconomy. It is crucial to limit negative (indirect) changes in land use, which can lead to losses of biodiversity, carbon or other ecosystem services and to move towards a sustainable bioeconomy that operates within sustainable parameters. The diversity and diversification of farming systems can contribute to a sustainable European bioeconomy by securing stable revenues for farmers, lowering negative environmental impacts and increasing resilience to climatic, economic and biological risks.
- Proposals will:
- Explore alternative systems and designs to improve the overall sustainability of local and regional agricultural production systems in a variety of landscapes, soil and climatic conditions, across the EU and associated countries;
- Consider the environmental, economic and social impacts of primary production systems and contribute to the characterisation of diversity and its relation to expected functions and benefits;
- Develop sustainable diversification strategies that can optimise the production of agricultural feedstock in the emerging bio-based economy. These could include the co-production of food and non-food products (e.g. through intercropping systems), diversification and optimisation of crops cultivated in greenhouses for high value products, optimisation of intermediary/catch crops to increase the biomass production in a sustainable way and circular low-emission livestock or mixed farming systems.
- Optimise diversification strategies for different European agricultural production models/sectors with a view to minimise potential land conflicts and in line with agro-ecological practices.
- Consider contributing data and results to the European Commission’s Knowledge Centre for Bioeconomy hosted by the JRC.
Funding Information
The check will normally be done for the coordinator if the requested grant amount is equal to or greater than EUR 500 000, except for:
- public bodies (entities established as a public body under national law, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations; and
- cases where the individual requested grant amount is not more than EUR 60 000 (low value grant).
Expected Outcomes
- In line with the European Green Deal and the EU bioeconomy strategy, successful proposals will demonstrate the potential of diversification strategies in the primary production sector for providing feedstock in bio-based value chains. They should contribute to regional, urban and consumer-based transitions towards a sustainable, regenerative, inclusive and just circular economy and bioeconomy in Europe at local and regional level.
- Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
- Sustainable primary production systems to diversify income for farmers, while supporting the development of bioeconomies in rural areas within planetary boundaries.
- Targeted policies at EU / national and regional level promoting sustainable agricultural production systems in full respect of biodiversity protection and enhancement objectives.
- Improved knowledge of primary producers on co-benefits and potential risks of introducing new production systems.
- Better management of the actual available land in EU Member States and associated countries that has been and could be envisaged for biomass production that is certifiable as ‘low induced land use change (ILUC)’ for the use in bio-based sectors.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
- the Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions;
- the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to the Member States;
- eligible non-EU countries:
- countries associated to Horizon Europe
- low- and middle-income countries
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/31az8ab