Fostering generational renewal in agriculture via EU advisory network

This Horizon Europe grant call is titled "Fostering generational renewal in agriculture via EU advisory network" with the topic identifier HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-06. Scheduled to open on February 4, 2027, and closing on May 11, 2027, the call operates as a Coordination and Support Action with a total budget of €4.5 million. It anticipates awarding a single lump-sum grant to facilitate the formation of a multi-actor advisory network aimed at enhancing agricultural advisory services to attract and support younger generations in farming.

Eligible applicants include a broad spectrum of organizations, such as agricultural advisory service providers, research institutions, universities, agricultural organizations, farmers' associations, public authorities, and NGOs focused on agricultural knowledge and innovation. Importantly, a minimum of 50% of project personnel must consist of impartial advisors who dedicate significant time to providing advice to farmers.

This funding effort employs a lump-sum contribution model, simplifying cost reporting and aiming to minimize the administrative load on recipients. The project scope is geared towards addressing issues surrounding generational renewal, equipping advisors with relevant knowledge and skills, and ultimately positioning agriculture as an appealing career path for young individuals. Key focus areas include sustainable farming practices, workforce development, and supporting young farmers through mentorship and guidance.

Geographically, the program is open to participants from EU Member States, EEA countries, associated countries, and certain non-EU candidate countries, promoting collaboration across a wide network.

The expected outcomes for funded projects highlight better preparedness of advisors to support young and new farmers in navigating the complexities of establishing and running sustainable agricultural businesses, particularly in the face of climatic challenges and biodiversity loss. This holistic support framework encompasses the creation of knowledge exchange networks, training programs, resources, and innovative communication strategies to forge a vibrant agricultural future.

The submission process is a single-stage electronic application through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, concluding on the specified deadline. Successful proposals will demonstrate an effective multi-actor partnership, innovative training methodologies, and a sustainability plan to ensure the advisory network's longevity beyond the project timeline.

Overall, this funding call aims to create a robust infrastructure that nurtures the next generation of farmers and agricultural advisors, enhancing the resilience and competitiveness of European agriculture.

This is a Horizon Europe (HORIZON) call, specifically Call 03 single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-03), focusing on "Fostering generational renewal in agriculture via EU advisory network" with the topic identifier HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-06. It is a HORIZON Coordination and Support Action (HORIZON-CSA) with a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement (MGA). The call is forthcoming with a single-stage deadline model. The planned opening date is 04 February 2027, and the deadline is 11 May 2027 at 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of the projects funded under this topic are: Advisors are better equipped with up-to-date knowledge, skills, and tools to support the young generation in entering into and successfully running farming businesses, while considering the consequences of climate change and biodiversity loss. An attractive, high-quality training offer and advice suited to the evolving skills demands of the new generation attract young, talented farm entrepreneurs and lead to a new wave of innovative agricultural businesses.

The scope of the call is centered around generational renewal as a prerequisite for European farming systems to remain resilient and competitive in the medium and long term. The actions funded are relevant to EU policies related to the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food and the objective to shape an attractive farming and agri-food sector for future generations. The call emphasizes providing active support and specialized training for newcomers and young farmers, with advisors playing a crucial role in accompanying, monitoring, and mentoring new farmers in setting up and managing farms. Advisors should also support new farmers in building social networks and provide guidance on the different needs of takeovers and new farms, contributing to gender equality and inclusion.

Proposals should: Foster in-depth exchange of knowledge and experiences among advisors across the EU on the needs of young farmers and new entrants to successfully enter and run an agricultural business in the long-term. Develop and widely share diverse useful resources, tools, and approaches, including learning materials and courses, new business strategies/plans, cross-border visits, internships, and other initiatives that should empower advisors to effectively support young and/or new farmers in addressing the identified needs for taking over / entering and staying in the farming sector. Equip advisors to deliver guidance and support throughout the various stages of farm establishment, including preparatory steps such as securing land, exploring financing options, and crafting business strategies. Advisors should also help farmers navigate practical elements like technology use, financial management, legal matters, and sustainable farming practices addressing climate change and biodiversity loss. Additionally, they should address challenges that arise in the early years of farm development, with special attention to promoting generational transfer and helping older farmers plan for and facilitate farm succession. Involve advisors in innovative EU-wide communication and awareness-rising campaigns to reposition farming as an attractive and rewarding career choice for the young generations. Ensure collaborations with national or regional authorities and AKIS ecosystems to promote the project outputs and ensure that they will be updated and maintained in the long-term beyond the project duration.

The proposals must implement the multi-actor approach and ensure adequate involvement of all relevant stakeholders. A minimum of 50% of the people involved in the project should be impartial advisors spending at least half of their time giving advice to farmers. A plan for financial sustainability and maintenance of the EU advisory network in the long-term beyond the project duration should be included in the proposal.

General conditions include: Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes, and Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. Eligible Countries: Described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes, with specific provisions for non-EU/non-Associated Countries as detailed in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. Other Eligible Conditions: Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach, as defined in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion are described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. Evaluation and award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual. The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. Legal and financial set-up of the grants: Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021, with details in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Specific conditions are described in the specific topic of the Work Programme. Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates are available in the Submission System, including the Standard application form (HE CSA). Evaluation form templates will be used with necessary adaptations, including the Standard evaluation form (HE CSA). Guidance is provided in the HE Programme Guide. Model Grant Agreements (MGA) include HE MGA, HE Unit MGA, Lump Sum MGA, and Operating Grants MGA. Call-specific instructions include a detailed budget table (HE LS) and guidance on lump sums.

Additional documents include: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 9. Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment, HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes, EIC Work Programme 2026, ERC Work Programme 2026, HE Programme Guide, HE Framework Programme 2021/695, HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview for the year 2027 includes: HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-01 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 12,000,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 2 grants around 6,000,000 EUR each. HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-02 - HORIZON-RIA HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions with a budget of 6,000,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 1 grant around 6,000,000 EUR. HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-03 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 3,000,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 1 grant around 3,000,000 EUR. HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-04 - HORIZON-IA HORIZON Innovation Actions with a budget of 11,800,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 2 grants ranging from 5,000,000 to 6,000,000 EUR. HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-05 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 7,000,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 2 grants around 3,500,000 EUR each. HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-06 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 4,500,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 1 grant around 4,500,000 EUR. HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-07 - HORIZON-CSA HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions with a budget of 4,750,000 EUR, single-stage, opening on 2027-02-04, deadline on 2027-05-11, and an indicative number of 1 grant around 4,750,000 EUR.

Partner search announcements are available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests. The submission system is planned to open on the date stated on the topic header.

To get support, applicants should read all provisions carefully, consult the Online Manual and Horizon Europe Programme Guide, check the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, use the Research Enquiry Service, contact National Contact Points (NCPs) and the Enterprise Europe Network, and use the IT Helpdesk for technical questions. The European IPR Helpdesk and CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk are also available.

In summary, this Horizon Europe call aims to foster generational renewal in agriculture by enhancing the EU advisory network. It seeks to equip advisors with the necessary knowledge, skills, and tools to support young farmers and new entrants in establishing and running sustainable agricultural businesses. The call encourages the exchange of knowledge, the development of resources, and the implementation of innovative communication campaigns to make farming an attractive career choice for young generations. Projects must involve a multi-actor approach, with a significant portion of impartial advisors, and include a plan for long-term sustainability of the advisory network. Funding is provided as a lump sum, and various support resources are available to applicants.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated but can be inferred to include a range of stakeholders relevant to agriculture, advisory services, and knowledge exchange. Based on the call's focus, eligible applicants could include research institutions, universities, agricultural advisory services, farmer organizations, NGOs, and potentially governmental bodies involved in agricultural policy and innovation. The requirement for a multi-actor approach suggests that consortia including diverse stakeholders are favored.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, as indicated by the "Type of MGA: HORIZON Lump Sum Grant [HORIZON-AG-LS]" designation. The call also includes different types of actions: HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA), HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (CSA), and HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA).

Consortium Requirement: A consortium is required. The call emphasizes the implementation of a multi-actor approach, mandating the involvement of all relevant stakeholders. Furthermore, a minimum of 50% of the people involved in the project should be impartial advisors.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is primarily focused on EU member states, but also includes non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have specific provisions for funding participation in Horizon Europe projects. The call aims for knowledge exchange and collaboration across the EU, suggesting a broad European scope.

Target Sector: The program targets the agriculture and food sector, with a specific focus on generational renewal in farming. It also addresses the bioeconomy, natural resources, and environmental aspects related to agriculture. Key areas include agricultural advisory services, knowledge exchange, training and support for young farmers, sustainable farming practices, climate change mitigation, and biodiversity conservation.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on EU member states and non-EU/non-Associated Countries participating in Horizon Europe. No specific countries are explicitly mentioned, but the emphasis on EU-wide knowledge exchange implies a focus on the European region.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the type of action. Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) suggest a focus on research, development, and validation. Coordination and Support Actions (CSA) indicate projects focused on networking, knowledge sharing, and coordination. Innovation Actions (IA) imply projects focused on demonstration and implementation of innovative solutions. The call generally targets projects that can deliver concrete, targeted, and practical solutions for farmers.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic and type of action:
HORIZON-RIA: approximately €6,000,000 per grant, with total budgets of €6,000,000 or €12,000,000.
HORIZON-CSA: approximately €3,000,000, €3,500,000, €4,500,000, or €4,750,000 per grant, with total budgets of €3,000,000, €4,500,000, €4,750,000 or €7,000,000.
HORIZON-IA: between €5,000,000 and €6,000,000 per grant, with a total budget of €11,800,000.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.

Application Stages: The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of grants for each topic provides some insight. For example, some topics indicate that only one or two grants will be awarded, suggesting a competitive process.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement. However, the emphasis on financial sustainability and maintenance of the EU advisory network beyond the project duration suggests that applicants should consider long-term funding strategies.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on fostering generational renewal in agriculture by strengthening the EU advisory network. It aims to equip advisors with the knowledge, skills, and tools necessary to support young farmers and new entrants in establishing and running sustainable agricultural businesses. The call encourages projects that promote knowledge exchange, develop useful resources, provide guidance on farm establishment, and involve advisors in communication campaigns to reposition farming as an attractive career. Proposals must implement a multi-actor approach, ensuring the involvement of diverse stakeholders, and should include a plan for the long-term sustainability of the EU advisory network. Funding is provided as lump sum grants, and the call is open to a range of applicants from EU member states and associated countries. The call includes different types of actions: Research and Innovation Actions, Coordination and Support Actions, and Innovation Actions, each with varying funding amounts and project focuses.