This call is relevant for cities and regions aiming to support the deployment of safe and sustainable by design bio-based solutions, including the supply of sustainable biogenic carbon. The objective of this call is to evaluate the environmental sustainability of biological resource production and trade within bio-based industrial systems. To acheive this, multi-actor approach and international cooperation, especially with Latin–America and the Caribbean, are encouraged.

Any type of organisation can apply for Horizon Europe funding as long as they have the operational and financial capacity to carry out the tasks that they propose. For most calls for proposals, you must apply as a team of at least 3 partner organisations from 3 different EU or associated countries. At least one of the 3 partners must be from an EU country. In addition to these 3 partners, organisations from other countries might be able to join your consortium.

More information in the Horizon Europe programme guide. Further details or exceptions are listed on the pages of the call topics in the Funding & tenders portal.

Proposals should: identify the types of primary agricultural crops currently produced for bio-based products within the scope of this topic at EU and Associated Countries scale; include a task for the project to collect data and figures on volumes and geographical distribution of the identified primary agricultural crops traded within the EU and Associated Countries, and from outside the EU towards the EU and Associated Countries. In the cases of primary agricultural crops grown in the EU and Associated Countries, collect data on type of land used and of pedo-climatic zones, cultivation systems and agronomic practices (crop diversification, intercropping, cultivation of catch-crops, etc); analyse the environmental impacts of the identified primary agricultural crops produced for industrial purposes and identified under the first bullet of this scope.
 

The analysis should be based on literature data and potentially applying Environmental Footprint methods as described in Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279; include a task for the project to assess quantitatively such environmental impacts and trade-offs addressing, but not limiting to, the following environmental categories:
 

• GHG emissions/savings and carbon footprint, including temporary carbon removals;
• emissions to air/water/soil from nitrogen and phosphorous based fertilisers;
• land use and land use change and its related impact on land carbon sink capacity;
• water use;
• biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• energy consumption,
• any other aspects of air/water/soil environmental quality.

The quantitative assessment should consider the range of climatic and land conditions, for each primary agricultural crop, due to the geographical distribution. It should be based on data from literature and stakeholders’ consultations and potentially applying Environmental Footprint methods as described in Recommendation (EU) 2021/2279. Based on such assessment, individuate best practices and the means to share them among concerned stakeholders.

The total indicative budget for the topic is EUR 2.00 million. The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of around EUR 2.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.

1. EC publishes calls for proposals on the funding and tenders portal
2. The call is open for an usual period of ca. 5 months where applicants can submit they proposal
3. Proposals can be single or two-stage application processes. A single stage application process requires the filling in of a structured proposal of max. 45 pages including objectives and innovation approach (excellence), tangible impacts that can be achieved through the project (impact) and the project planning and tasks (quality). If a two stage, the aforementioned would be the second stage application while the first is a simplified proposal of max 10 pages including only excellence and impact sections. These documents are to be uploaded to the portal in pdf format alongside filling in the respective parts of the portal with administrative information on the beneficiares, affiliated entities or others. All participants in a project need to possess a Partipant Identification Code (i.e. PIC number, a 9-digit number registered on ECAS). For more information, please see the work programme and the call documents.
4. Proposal submitted within the deadline will be evaluated by experts against evaluation criteria.
5. Winning proposals will be invited for signing a grant agreement with the EC.

Opening: 06 May 2025
 

Deadline: 17 Sep 2025