Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration

Overview

The Horizon Europe call, HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03, titled "Unlocking the Potential of Citizen Action for Nature Protection and Restoration," offers funding for innovative, citizen-led approaches to biodiversity conservation and restoration. The main focus is to engage citizens actively in nature conservation efforts, in line with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. This competitive program announces a total budget of €10 million for 2026, with an expected allocation of €5 million for each of the two projects to be funded.

Eligible applicants include a range of organizations such as research institutions, SMEs, local communities, NGOs, and other legal entities from EU member states, EEA countries, and associated countries under Horizon Europe. The program encourages consortium formations involving diverse expertise, particularly social sciences and humanities, to ensure inclusive citizen engagement.

The funding operates under a lump sum grant modality, meaning that a predetermined amount will be awarded irrespective of actual expenditures, simplifying financial management. The application process involves two stages: the first stage requires an outline application by April 16, 2026, and successful candidates will be invited to submit full proposals by September 23, 2026. Proposals should explore innovative ways to develop, test, and market citizen-led conservation tools, focusing on practical, scalable solutions.

Projects must aim to establish new business opportunities related to nature conservation, addressing issues such as species conservation, pest management, and the creation of digital tools for public engagement. The evaluation process will assess proposals based on excellence, impact, and implementation quality, and the competition is expected to be fierce with success rates likely below 20%.

Co-funding is not mandatory but is encouraged. Proposals demonstrating additional resources from partners are viewed favorably during evaluations. The call opens on February 12, 2026, inviting diverse collaboration to foster citizen engagement in Europe's biodiversity goals, ultimately enhancing ecosystem restoration and contributing to climate mitigation efforts.

Detail

This is a summary of several Horizon Europe calls for proposals related to biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution, all under the Cluster 6 (Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment) for the year 2026. All calls follow a two-stage submission process. The planned opening date for these calls is February 12, 2026. The deadline for the first stage is April 16, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time, and the deadline for the second stage is September 23, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025).

Here's a breakdown of the specific calls:

1. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage: This call is for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a total budget of 14,000,000 EUR. It aims to address biodiversity-related challenges. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 2, with an average contribution of around 7,000,000 EUR per grant.

2. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage: This call is also for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a total budget of 12,000,000 EUR. It focuses on different aspects of biodiversity. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 4, with an average contribution of around 3,000,000 EUR per grant.

3. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage: This call is for HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) with a total budget of 10,000,000 EUR. It aims to translate research results into practical applications for biodiversity. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 2, with an average contribution of around 5,000,000 EUR per grant. This topic, titled "Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration," aims to leverage citizen engagement in nature conservation and restoration, create new business opportunities and markets in nature conservation and restoration, and support EU objectives for nature restoration for climate mitigation and adaptation. The scope includes a wide range of ecosystem types (terrestrial, freshwater, and marine). Successful proposals should explore innovative approaches, develop and test new ways for citizens to restore and conserve nature at a small scale, engage with diverse local communities and/or indigenous people, and assess the possible contribution of citizens to overall biodiversity objectives. Proposals should address activities such as developing, testing, and marketing citizen toolkits for species conservation, pest control or management of invasive species by citizens, and social innovation leading to new services or products for nature restoration by citizens. The topic requires the effective contribution of SSH disciplines and encourages synergies with activities under New European Bauhaus.

4. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage: This call is for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a total budget of 18,000,000 EUR. It addresses specific research gaps in biodiversity. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 3, with an average contribution of around 6,000,000 EUR per grant.

5. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage: This call is for HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) with a total budget of 10,000,000 EUR. It focuses on the circular bioeconomy. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 2, with an average contribution of around 5,000,000 EUR per grant.

6. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage: This call is for HORIZON Innovation Actions (IA) with a total budget of 18,000,000 EUR. It addresses specific innovation needs in the circular bioeconomy. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 3, with an average contribution of around 6,000,000 EUR per grant.

7. HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage: This call is for HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) with a total budget of 23,000,000 EUR. It aims to address challenges related to zero pollution. The indicative number of grants to be awarded is 3, with an average contribution ranging from 7,000,000 to 8,000,000 EUR per grant.

General conditions applicable to all calls include admissibility conditions related to proposal page limits and layout, eligible countries, financial and operational capacity, and exclusion criteria. The evaluation and award process involves award criteria, scoring, thresholds, submission, evaluation processes, and an indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement. The legal and financial setup of the grants will follow the Horizon Europe guidelines, with eligible costs taking the form of a lump sum.

Application forms, evaluation forms, model grant agreements, and additional guidance documents are available in the Submission System and through the provided links. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Horizon Europe Programme Guide, Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual, and FAQs for detailed information and support. Partner search tools and National Contact Points (NCPs) are also available to assist applicants in forming consortia and preparing their proposals.

In summary, these Horizon Europe calls for proposals aim to foster research and innovation in biodiversity, circular bioeconomy, and zero pollution, encouraging citizen engagement, new business opportunities, and the implementation of EU environmental objectives. The calls are structured as two-stage processes with specific deadlines and budget allocations for each topic. Applicants should carefully review the call conditions, guidelines, and available resources to prepare competitive proposals.

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Breakdown

Eligible Applicant Types: The opportunity is particularly relevant for SMEs, but other types of applicants are not explicitly excluded. The call aims to engage diverse local communities and/or indigenous people. It also seeks the involvement of SSH experts, institutions. Therefore, eligible applicant types could include SMEs, research institutions, local communities, NGOs, and other relevant organizations.

Funding Type: The primary financial mechanism is a grant, specifically a HORIZON Lump Sum Grant. The actions are HORIZON Innovation Actions and HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions.

Consortium Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether a single applicant or a consortium is required. However, given the scope and the encouragement of engaging with diverse local communities, indigenous people, and the need for SSH expertise, a consortium is likely beneficial, if not implicitly required. The partner search announcements also suggest that collaboration is encouraged.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The opportunity is part of the Horizon Europe program. While Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes (mentioned in the conditions) defines eligible countries, the text also mentions that non-EU/non-Associated Countries may have specific provisions for funding. Therefore, the geographic eligibility includes EU member states, associated countries, and potentially some non-EU/non-associated countries as specified in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide.

Target Sector: The program targets the biodiversity and environmental sector, specifically focusing on nature conservation and restoration. It also involves elements of social innovation, digital tools, and potentially the development of toolkits and services. The program also encourages synergies with activities under New European Bauhaus. The call also targets circular bioeconomy and zero pollution.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity is a European Union initiative, so EU member states are implicitly included. The text also refers to non-EU/non-Associated Countries, and mentions the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which is an international agreement. Therefore, the regions and countries mentioned are: EU, non-EU/non-Associated Countries, and countries party to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Project Stage: The projects are expected to explore innovative approaches, develop and test new ways to restore and conserve nature, and develop and market citizen toolkits. This suggests that the project stage should be at the development, testing, and demonstration phases, potentially leading to commercialization for some projects.

Funding Amount: The funding amounts vary depending on the specific topic. The budget overview provides the following indicative funding ranges:
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-01-two-stage: around €7,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-02-two-stage: around €3,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-03-two-stage: around €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-BIODIV-04-two-stage: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-01-two-stage: around €5,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-CIRCBIO-02-two-stage: around €6,000,000
HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-01-two-stage: €7,000,000 to €8,000,000

Application Type: The application type is a two-stage open call, as indicated by "two-stage" in the topic descriptions and the "Deadline model: two-stage" in the general information. The first stage proposals will be evaluated blindly.

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

Application Stages: The application process is explicitly stated as "two-stage".

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned. The indicative number of grants for each topic is provided, but without knowing the number of applications, the success rate cannot be determined.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement. As Horizon Europe grants typically fund a significant portion of the project costs, it is possible that co-funding is not mandatory, but it could strengthen the proposal.

Summary: This Horizon Europe call focuses on "Unlocking the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration". It seeks to fund projects that actively engage citizens in biodiversity conservation and restoration efforts, aligning with the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The call is structured around several specific topics, including the development of citizen toolkits for species conservation, pest control using citizen science, and social innovation for nature restoration. The call is particularly relevant for SMEs, but welcomes participation from diverse organizations, including research institutions, local communities, and NGOs. Projects should explore innovative approaches, develop and test new conservation methods, and engage with local communities, considering gender and disability-sensitive approaches. Funding is provided as a lump sum grant, and the application process involves a two-stage submission. The call encourages collaboration and provides resources for partner searching. The overall aim is to leverage citizen engagement to create new business opportunities and contribute to the EU's nature restoration objectives for climate mitigation and adaptation. The call also targets circular bioeconomy and zero pollution.

Short Summary

Impact
This funding aims to unlock the potential of citizen action for nature protection and restoration, fostering innovative, citizen-led approaches to biodiversity conservation across various ecosystems.
Applicant
Applicants should possess expertise in social sciences, humanities, and natural sciences, with a focus on engaging local communities and developing participatory approaches to nature conservation.
Developments
The funding will support projects that develop and test new methods for restoring and conserving nature, including the creation of citizen toolkits and digital tools for biodiversity engagement.
Applicant Type
This funding is designed for a diverse range of organizations, including SMEs, research institutions, NGOs, and local communities, particularly those engaging in citizen-led conservation efforts.
Consortium
A consortium of multiple applicants is required, emphasizing collaboration among diverse stakeholders, including researchers, social scientists, and local communities.
Funding Amount
Each project can receive up to €5,000,000, with a total budget of €10,000,000 allocated for this specific topic in 2026.
Countries
The funding is relevant for EU member states and associated countries, as well as potentially some non-EU countries involved in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Industry
This funding targets the biodiversity and environmental sector, focusing on nature conservation, restoration, and social innovation.

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