Strengthening the resilience of European farmers through improved capacity in coping with risks and crises

Overview

The EU funding opportunity titled "Strengthening the resilience of European farmers through improved capacity in coping with risks and crises" is a part of the Horizon Europe program, specifically under Call ID HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-01. This call, classified as a Horizon Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA), is forthcoming and will officially open on February 4, 2027, with a submission deadline of May 11, 2027. The total budget for this opportunity is €12 million, expected to fund two grants of €6 million each.

The main aim of the call is to enhance the capacity of European farmers and the agri-food supply chain to prevent, manage, and respond effectively to an array of risks and crises, which are exacerbated by factors like climate change and biodiversity loss. It acknowledges the pressures faced by farmers from interconnected risks—such as sanitary, environmental, economic, geopolitical, and technological challenges—and seeks innovative solutions to bolster resilience in farming systems.

Eligible applicants are required to form a multi-actor consortium that includes farmers, researchers, government representatives, agri-food supply chain operators, and civil society organizations. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may also participate in the consortium without funding. The funding mechanism is structured as a Horizon Lump Sum Grant, which simplifies financial management as it provides fixed funding based on achieving agreed deliverables, rather than actual costs incurred.

Proposals must address various risks by improving farmers' understanding of decision-making and risk management strategies. They should also support fair risk sharing across the supply chain and enhance cooperation among diverse stakeholders. The projects are expected to engage in research, validation, and demonstration stages, ensuring that solutions are rooted in real-world contexts with participatory approaches like living labs.

The call emphasizes the necessity of integrating social sciences and humanities perspectives and encourages international partnerships. While the proposal process is a single-stage open call, there's limited data on success rates, which are typically competitive in Horizon Europe calls.

Overall, this funding initiative aims to create more resilient agricultural systems in Europe through collaborative, research-driven projects that deliver actionable solutions to current and future crises facing the farming community.

Detail

This EU funding opportunity focuses on strengthening the resilience of European farmers by improving their capacity to cope with various risks and crises. The call, HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-01, falls under the Horizon Europe (HORIZON) program, specifically Call 03 - single stage (2027) (HORIZON-CL6-2027-03). It is a HORIZON Research and Innovation Action (HORIZON-RIA) 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 for submission is 11 May 2027, 17:00:00 Brussels time.

The expected outcomes of funded projects include: improved capacity of farmers and other agri-food supply chain operators to prevent, prepare for, cope with, and manage diverse risks and crises, considering potential compound and amplifier effects under climate change; policymakers benefiting from evidence and better understanding on how to enable more effective strategies for prevention and management of diverse risks and crises affecting farmers, considering compound and amplifier effects of climate change and biodiversity loss; and knowledge and solutions to improve the resilience of farming systems being available and accessible to farmers and other agri-food supply chain operators through active and effective dissemination and engagement activities.

The scope of the call addresses the exposure of farmers to numerous and increasing risks and crises of diverse nature and scale, which puts pressure on their wellbeing, business viability, and income. It acknowledges that existing risk and crisis management tools are insufficient. Proposals should target one or more risks and crises (e.g., sanitary, environmental, economic, geopolitical, ecological, demographic, technological) that are causing, or likely to cause, significant socio-economic impacts directly or indirectly affecting EU farmers, considering potential compound and amplifier effects under climate change and biodiversity loss.

Funded actions should support EU policies related to the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food and the Common Agricultural Policy. Proposals should: improve understanding of farmers’ individual and collective options, strategies, incentives, behavior, and decision-making regarding uncertainties, risk, and crisis management; assess the anticipation, robustness, and adaptation capacities of farms, costs and benefits of action vs. non-action, and the interactions between risk management, crisis management, and the adoption of preventive practices; propose inclusive solutions, improve and develop integrated risk and crisis management strategies; propose criteria and measures to improve fair risk sharing along the agri-food supply chain and for derisking; test the proposed strategies and/or measures, using an experimental approach; support inclusive and accessible capacity building, training, and education on risk and crisis management for farmers and other relevant agri-food supply chain operators (“risk literacy”); and consider compound and amplifier effects of climate change and biodiversity loss on other types of risks and crises. Proposals should assess and compare options and strategies developed by farmers implementing various farming approaches, one of which should be organic farming.

The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may participate as a member of the consortium selected for funding, contributing to the understanding of farmer risk preferences, measurement and design of risk sharing alternatives, and testing alternatives using experimental methods.

Proposals should capitalize on existing relevant research findings and tools and ensure complementarities with other EU-funded projects, including from the EU Missions on Adaptation to Climate Change and on Soil, and synergies with other relevant EU-funded studies, projects, initiatives, and processes. A dedicated task, appropriate resources, and a plan for collaboration with other selected projects are required, including collaboration with projects selected under the topic HORIZON-CL6-2027-02-CLIMATE-03.

The multi-actor approach must be implemented, with a consortium based on a balanced mix of actors, including farmers, researchers, government representatives, agri-food supply chain operators, and civil society organizations. The effective contribution of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines is required, and international cooperation is encouraged.

General conditions for admissibility, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, exclusion, evaluation and award criteria, submission and evaluation processes, indicative timeline, and legal and financial setup are described in the Annexes of the Horizon Europe Work Programme and the Online Manual. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum.

Application form templates and evaluation form templates are available in the Submission System. Additional documents include the HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027, 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, Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment, EU Grants AGA, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions, and Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement.

The budget overview indicates that for the HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-01 topic, 12,000,000 EUR is allocated, with an indicative number of 2 grants to be awarded, each around 6,000,000 EUR. Other topics under the same call include HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-02 (6,000,000 EUR, 1 grant), HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-03 (3,000,000 EUR, 1 grant), HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-04 (11,800,000 EUR, 2 grants), HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-05 (7,000,000 EUR, 2 grants), HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-06 (4,500,000 EUR, 1 grant), and HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-07 (4,750,000 EUR, 1 grant).

This funding opportunity aims to bolster the resilience of European farmers in the face of increasing risks and crises. It seeks to develop and implement integrated risk management strategies, improve understanding of farmer behavior and decision-making, and promote fair risk sharing along the agri-food supply chain. By fostering collaboration among diverse stakeholders and encouraging international cooperation, this call aims to create a more sustainable and resilient agricultural sector in Europe. The emphasis on lump sum funding and the multi-actor approach highlights the EU's commitment to simplified procedures and inclusive participation in research and innovation.

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Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types for this opportunity include farmers, researchers, government representatives, agri-food supply chain operators (e.g., processors), and civil society organisations. The call emphasizes the need for a consortium based on a balanced mix of these actors with complementary knowledge. The Joint Research Centre (JRC) may also participate as a member of the consortium.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant, under the Horizon Europe Programme. The types of actions include HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (HORIZON-RIA) and HORIZON Innovation Actions (HORIZON-IA), as well as HORIZON Coordination and Support Actions (HORIZON-CSA).

Consortium Requirement: A consortium of multiple applicants is required. The call specifies that proposals must implement the multi-actor approach, necessitating a consortium with a balanced mix of actors.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU member states and associated countries, as defined in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide. International cooperation is encouraged.

Target Sector: The target sector is agriculture/food, specifically focusing on strengthening the resilience of European farmers and the agri-food supply chain. The program targets the governance and management of risks and crises affecting the agricultural sector, considering the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the focus is on European farmers and the EU's Common Agricultural Policy. The eligibility extends to EU member states and associated countries, as well as non-EU/non-Associated Countries that have made specific provisions for funding their participants in Horizon Europe projects.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the type of action. It ranges from research and innovation actions (HORIZON-RIA) to innovation actions (HORIZON-IA) and coordination and support actions (HORIZON-CSA). This suggests that the projects can be in the research, development, validation, demonstration, or implementation phases.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic within the call:
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-01: around €6,000,000 (2 grants)
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-02: around €6,000,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-03: around €3,000,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-04: €5,000,000 to €6,000,000 (2 grants)
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-05: around €3,500,000 (2 grants)
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-06: around €4,500,000 (1 grant)
HORIZON-CL6-2027-03-GOVERNANCE-07: around €4,750,000 (1 grant)

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 is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants for each topic is provided, allowing for a rough estimation based on the number of expected applications.

Co-funding Requirement: The need for co-funding is not explicitly mentioned. However, the lump sum funding model suggests that the grant covers the total eligible costs of the project.

This Horizon Europe call focuses on strengthening the resilience of European farmers by improving their capacity to cope with various risks and crises. The call aims to fund projects that develop and test integrated risk and crisis management strategies, improve understanding of farmer decision-making, and promote fair risk sharing along the agri-food supply chain. The projects should address a range of risks, including sanitary, environmental, economic, geopolitical, ecological, demographic, and technological risks, while considering the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. The call requires a multi-actor approach, involving farmers, researchers, government representatives, agri-food supply chain operators, and civil society organizations in the project consortia. The funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process is a single-stage open call. The call encourages international cooperation and the involvement of Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines. The expected outcomes include improved capacity of farmers and agri-food operators to manage risks, better evidence for policymakers, and accessible knowledge and solutions for enhancing the resilience of farming systems.

Short Summary

Impact
Strengthening the resilience of European farmers by improving their capacity to cope with various risks and crises.
Applicant
A consortium including farmers, researchers, government representatives, agri-food supply chain operators, and civil society organizations.
Developments
Research and innovation actions targeting risk management and crisis management in agriculture and agri-food supply chains.
Applicant Type
Consortium of multiple actors with complementary knowledge in agriculture, research, policy, and civil society.
Consortium
Consortium required with a multi-actor approach.
Funding Amount
€6,000,000 per project, with a total budget of €12,000,000 for this topic.
Countries
EU Member States and Associated Countries, focusing on European farmers and EU policies.
Industry
Horizon Europe, specifically targeting agriculture, food security, and environmental sustainability.

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