PRIMA Foundation offers Up to EUR 34.7 million (Research and Innovation Action)

Deadline: 4-Apr-24

THE PRIMA Foundation is offering grants under the Research and Innovation action (RIA).

Thematic Areas

• Thematic Area 1-Water management in the Nexus
  • Topic 2.1.1-2024 (RIA) Effective water accounting approaches under crisis conditions: climate change and external shocks
  • This call aims to promote innovative water accounting approaches that can enhance the gathering, analysis and communication of information related to water flows, fluxes, stocks, and consumption in selected watersheds/basins, with a view to improving the management of water resources, even in the face of changing climate as well as geopolitical and socio-economic shocks. To this end, projects should consider the following activities:
    • Make use of real-time monitoring and leverage new technologies and data sources, including remote sensing, big data analytics, machine learning, block chain, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, to provide more accurate information on water availability and use,
    • Define target levels of sustainable water withdrawal and consumption for water using sectors and/or users (including ecosystems), that match the available resources and natural recharge patterns,
    • Multi-scale (from local to regional) biophysical analyses, climate studies and modelling delivering robust quantitative estimates of water balance components (water accounts) for the selected demonstration sites.
    • Create networks of researchers, water users (incl. farmers and water users’ associations) and managers, policymakers and other stakeholders, adopting a multi/actor approach which considers their needs and perspectives, to share knowledge and improve water decision making and governance, based on the analysis of water related information.
• Thematic Area 2-Farming systems in the Nexus
  • Topic 2.2.1 (RIA) Revitalizing agroforestry practices for sustainable land use and climate resilience in the Mediterranean Region.
  • This call for proposals aims to support the revitalization of agroforestry systems, including silvo-arable and silvo-pastoral agroforestry, in the Mediterranean region. The objective is to identify innovative strategies and overcome barriers to the adoption and scaling up of agroforestry practices.
  • Proposals should focus on identifying and potentially testing innovative agroforestry systems in different demonstration sites, which may include a combination of crops, trees, and animals. The aim is to identify more efficient, productive, and sustainable models, practices and strategies tailored to specific factors such as climate, soil type, market demand, and environmental benefits. This includes considering the benefits of agroforestry systems and landscape management in promoting ecosystem services such as carbon sequestration, soil health protection and restoration, water regulation, and biodiversity conservation.
• Thematic Area 3-Food value chain in the Nexus
  • Topic 2.3.1 (RIA)5 Leveraging urban and local food systems for sustainable food systems transformation.
  • Proposals should aim to strengthen regulatory frameworks for urban and periurban agriculture, paying particular attention to the unique challenges faced in the Southern Mediterranean countries. This includes addressing issues related to land use planning, zoning regulations, and the socio-economic aspects of land access. Policies should not only consider but actively incorporate gender-sensitive approaches to issues such as food safety, product labelling, and certification requirements.
  • Furthermore, proposals should emphasize the role of incentives in encouraging sustainable practices among farmers and food producers. They should also outline comprehensive strategies for integrating agriculture into urban landscapes through effective spatial management and multi-activity planning, ensuring that these approaches foster inclusivity.

Funding Information

• The total indicative amount allocated to this call EUR 34 780 000
• PRIMA considers that proposals requesting a contribution of at least EUR 1.5 million and with a duration of 36 months would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submitting and selecting proposals requesting other amounts or duration, following national regulations.

Expected Impact

• Thematic Area 1-Water management in the Nexus
  • Improvement of water security and preservation of environmental flows in the Mediterranean region through increased knowledge of patterns of water availability, demand, and distribution.
  • Adoption of sustainable, effective strategies to address water scarcity in different biophysical and societal contexts based on a thorough understanding of the water balance.
  • Better and more transparent decision-making, equitable and balanced water allocations based on the real trade-offs and costs of water supply to different users and sectors in different sectors (urban, agricultural, etc.), while preserving efficiency and productivity.
  • Increased resilience by identifying and addressing water-related risks, such as water scarcity and variability through innovative water accounting approaches.
• Thematic Area 2-Farming systems in the Nexus:
  • Increased adoption of sustainable agroforestry practices: among farmers in the Mediterranean region, which can lead to increased tree cover on farmland and improved landscape resilience.
  • Improved agricultural productivity.
  • Improved soil health, biodiversity and ecosystem services: such as fertility, carbon sequestration or water use efficiency.
  • Increased resilience to climate change by providing a buffer against extreme weather events, enhancing soil fertility and moisture retention, and providing a diverse range of crops and livestock.
• Thematic Area 3-Food value chain in the Nexus
  • Enhanced Regulatory Frameworks: Improved regulatory frameworks for urban and peri-urban agriculture, addressing the specific challenges in Southern Mediterranean countries. These frameworks will facilitate sustainable land use planning, zoning regulations, and socio-economic aspects, fostering a more resilient and productive food system.
  • Integration of Agriculture into Urban Landscapes: Effective integration of agriculture into urban areas through spatial management and multi-activity planning, promoting inclusivity and ensuring that urban environments support sustainable food production.
  • Formalization of Informal Markets: Improved informal markets through formalization efforts, enhancing their role in strengthening local food systems. This will contribute to increased access to fresh, locally sourced produce.
  • Innovative Distribution Channels: The development of innovative distribution channels, including leveraging information and communication technologies (ICT), to optimize food supply chains. This will result in more efficient and sustainable food distribution.

Key Performance Indicators

• Thematic Area 1-Water management in the Nexus
  • Sustainable Water Scarcity Strategies Adoption KPI (within the project):
    • Baseline: Number of existing sustainable strategies within the project.
    • Target: Adopt sustainable strategies within the project based on a thorough understanding of the water balance in various biophysical and societal contexts.
  • Transparency and Equity in Water Allocation KPI (within the project): Percentage improvement in transparency and equity in water allocation decision-making within the project.
    • Baseline: Baseline levels of transparency and equity in water allocation decisions within the project.
    • Target: Achieve improvement in transparency and equity in water allocations within the project, considering trade-offs and costs to different users and sectors while preserving efficiency and productivity.
  • Water-Related Risk Reduction and Resilience KPI (within the project): Percentage reduction in water-related risks identified and addressed within the project.
    • Baseline: Baseline levels of identified water-related risks within the project.
    • Target: Identify and address water-related risks within the project, such as water scarcity and variability, through innovative water accounting approaches to increase resilience.
  • Water Productivity and Awareness KPI (within the project): Increase in water productivity in selected water-using domains, watersheds, or basins and water footprint in relation to the initial/reference situation (SMART approach).
    • Baseline: Initial water productivity and water footprint levels within the project.
    • Target: Achieve increase in water productivity and conduct awareness-raising and knowledge-sharing campaigns within the project with quantified targets for stakeholder involvement.
• Thematic Area 2-Farming systems in the Nexus:
  • Develop and document new agroforestry practices to enhance system efficiency, productivity, or sustainability KPI.
    • Baseline: Existing agroforestry practices in the region.
    • Target: Develop and document at least two new agroforestry practices during the project.
  • Create and distribute at least 5 unique learning materials each year, including training programs, outreach initiatives, and educational materials KPI.
    • Baseline: The number of learning materials and engagement initiatives prior to the project.
    • Target: Engage a minimum of 100 individuals annually through these resources.
  • Ensure that women have equal access to project resources KPI, as evidenced by an increase in the percentage of women beneficiaries over the project duration.
    • Baseline: At the project’s inception, identify the percentage of women beneficiaries
    • Target: Increase the percentage of women beneficiaries by the end of the project.
• Thematic Area 3-Food value chain in the Nexus
  • Policy Recommendations for Urban Agriculture KPI: Number of policy recommendations made to improve regulatory frameworks for urban and peri-urban agriculture addressing the specific challenges in Southern Mediterranean countries.
    • Baseline: Existing policy recommendations.
    • Target: Elaborate policy recommendations that support the development of urban and peri-urban agriculture with a focus on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
  • Infrastructure and Food Supply Chain Enhancement KPI: Percentage improvement in infrastructure and distribution networks for short and efficient food supply chains within urban and peri-urban areas.
    • Baseline: Baseline levels of infrastructure and distribution network efficiency.
    • Target: Achieve a specified percentage improvement in infrastructure and distribution network efficiency to reduce food loss and waste and enhance sustainability and resilience in urban and peri-urban food systems.
  • Number of new distribution channels KPI:
    • Baseline: Existing distribution channels
    • Target: The proposals should establish new distribution channels increasing their market access, consumer acceptance and commercialization that can help to assess how well these channels are meeting the needs and preferences of consumers.
  • Stakeholder Collaboration and Inclusivity KPI: Percentage increase in collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders, including women and marginalized groups, in food systems transformation.
    • Baseline: Baseline levels of collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders.
    • Target: Achieve a minimum 15% increase in collaboration and engagement with diverse stakeholders, leading to enhanced inclusivity and gender equality in food systems transformation.

Eligibility Criteria

• Legal entities established in the following PRIMA Participating States will, in general, be eligible to receive funding through PRIMA grants:
  • The following Member States (MS) of the European Union (EU): Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia. It includes the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to these Member States
  • The following Third Countries associated to Horizon 2020 (AC): Israel, Tunisia, and Turkey.
  • The following Third Countries not associated to Horizon 2020 (TC), having concluded international agreements for scientific and technological cooperation setting out the terms and conditions of their participation in PRIMA: Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.
  • These Associated (AC) and Third Countries (TC) mentioned above are the Mediterranean Partner Countries (MPC).
  • Participants from countries not listed above have to fund their own participation.
  • All participants with own funding have to attach to their proposal a letter from their organization (signed by a legal representative of the structure) attesting that the funds to cover their participation to the projects (task(s), participation to meetings). will be available.

For more information, visit PRIMA Foundation.