3rd Co-funded Call of the AGROECOLOGY Partnership

The AGROECOLOGY Partnership has launched its 3rd co-funded call to support projects that advance sustainable agriculture through genetic diversity and farmer-driven agroecological practices. The call funds transnational collaborations that create practical tools, innovations, and strategies to accelerate agroecology in Europe and beyond. With a two-step application process and a strong focus on impact, it offers a major opportunity for researchers, farmers, and organisations shaping the future of resilient food systems.

Overview

The AGROECOLOGY Partnership’s 3rd co-funded call supports research, innovation, and community-based projects that strengthen ecological farming systems. It focuses on biodiversity, farmer empowerment, transdisciplinary collaboration, and agroecological transition at multiple scales.

Key Focus Areas

Pillar 1: Strengthening Genetic Diversity

Projects under Pillar 1 target the biological foundations of resilient agriculture.
Focus areas include:

• Increasing crop genetic variability

• Enhancing livestock genetic diversity

• Developing climate-resilient breeding methods

• Creating tools and protocols that support biodiversity-based farming

• Integrating ecological and genetic principles into long-term sustainability planning

Pillar 2: Empowering Farmers and Supporting Agroecological Transition

This pillar addresses the social dimensions of agroecology.
Eligible themes include:

• Farmer motivation and behaviour change

• Skills development and capacity-building

• Peer-to-peer learning models

• Community-based networks and governance

• Multi-stakeholder engagement across research, private sector, and civil society

Why It Matters

The call strengthens both the ecological and social building blocks of a sustainable food system.
Core impacts include:

• Greater climate resilience in farming

• Improved biodiversity and genetic resource conservation

• Stronger farmer leadership in agroecological transition

• Better science-policy integration

• Scalable innovations for regional, national, and cross-border adoption

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Research institutions and universities

• NGOs and civil society organisations

• Farmer cooperatives and producer groups

• Private sector actors (including SMEs)

• Public agencies related to agriculture and rural development
  Eligibility rules:

• A minimum of three partners from three different eligible countries is mandatory.

• Proposals must clearly address one or both pillars.

• Consortia should demonstrate scientific, technical, and community-level capacity.

How the Call Works

Two-Step Application Procedure

1. Pre-Proposal (Early 2026)

   • Submit a concise concept outlining objectives, consortium details, and expected impact.

   • Panels review for relevance and quality.

2. Full Proposal (Invitation Only)

   • Shortlisted teams submit a detailed work plan, budget, methodology, and impact pathway.

Evaluation Criteria

• Scientific excellence and innovation

• Contribution to agroecological transition

• Farmer engagement and stakeholder involvement

• Feasibility, timeline, and resource planning

• Transnational collaboration and added value

Expected Outputs

• Practical tools for agroecological adoption

• Biodiversity-based solutions

• Policy-relevant evidence

• Community-driven approaches and learning models

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Forming a consortium without meeting the three-country minimum

• Submitting overly theoretical proposals lacking field application

• Weak farmer involvement or limited stakeholder diversity

• Poorly defined impact pathways or missing scalability plans

• Neglecting biodiversity or agroecological principles in the project design

FAQs

1. What types of projects are best suited for this call?

Projects that integrate scientific research with farmer-focused, real-world application—especially those offering scalable agroecological solutions.

2. Can farmer organisations act as project coordinators?

Yes, if they can demonstrate administrative and financial capacity to manage the consortium.

3. Are countries outside Europe eligible?

Eligibility depends on the official list of participating countries published by the AGROECOLOGY Partnership.

4. What is the expected project duration?

Most agroecology projects run 2–4 years, depending on the call guidelines.

5. What is the role of stakeholders in proposals?

Stakeholders—especially farmers—must be meaningfully engaged to ensure relevance, adoption, and long-term impact.

6. Do proposals have to address both pillars?

Projects may target one or both pillars, but the expected impact must be clearly aligned with agroecology principles.

7. When is the pre-proposal deadline?

Early 2026; official dates will be published in the call documentation.

Conclusion

The AGROECOLOGY Partnership’s 3rd co-funded call provides a strategic opportunity to advance biodiversity, empower farmers, and accelerate the agroecological transition across Europe. By funding collaborative, high-impact projects, the call supports systemic change, stronger science-policy links, and practical innovations that contribute to a more resilient and sustainable food system.