Supporting the implementation of nature restoration measures for sustainable farming systems
HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
Funding Amount
€5.0M - €6.0M
Deadline
17/09/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Supporting the implementation of nature restoration measures for sustainable farming systems Call?
Grant Description
This research and innovation action addresses biodiversity loss in agricultural landscapes by testing and implementing biodiversity-friendly farming practices. It supports the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and Green Deal objectives by generating evidence on ecosystem services, socio-economic impacts and incentive schemes, developing science-based restoration targets and indicators, and creating practical tools and recommendations for farmers, advisors and policymakers to ensure sustainable fo...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
Successful proposals will:
• Scientifically demonstrate to farmers, land managers, advisors and policymakers the synergies between nature restoration/conservation and food security (production and availability).
• Identify, develop and validate suitable restoration measures, strategies and evidence-based recommendations to assist farmers in implementation and to support Member States’ competent authorities in meeting specific targets of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in agricultural landscapes.
• Strengthen collaborations and exchanges among farmers, researchers and policymakers to co-develop integrated, effective policies that restore natural capital, generate sustainable income for farmers, and ensure food availability and quality.
• Contribute to the overarching goals of the European Green Deal, Common Agricultural Policy and EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by advancing applied solutions for biodiversity-friendly agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the long-term sustainability of farming.
• Scientifically demonstrate to farmers, land managers, advisors and policymakers the synergies between nature restoration/conservation and food security (production and availability).
• Identify, develop and validate suitable restoration measures, strategies and evidence-based recommendations to assist farmers in implementation and to support Member States’ competent authorities in meeting specific targets of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in agricultural landscapes.
• Strengthen collaborations and exchanges among farmers, researchers and policymakers to co-develop integrated, effective policies that restore natural capital, generate sustainable income for farmers, and ensure food availability and quality.
• Contribute to the overarching goals of the European Green Deal, Common Agricultural Policy and EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 by advancing applied solutions for biodiversity-friendly agriculture, climate change mitigation and adaptation, and the long-term sustainability of farming.
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must:
1. Quantify the short, medium and long-term costs and benefits of restoration measures on farm productivity (input/output) and evaluate the economic impact of ecosystem services under action versus non-action scenarios.
2. Develop and assess science-based targets for biodiversity restoration in agricultural ecosystems (Art. 11 EU Nature Restoration Regulation), outline implementation pathways, and further solidify and harmonize biodiversity indicators.
3. Generate evidence to design and improve incentive and reward mechanisms for restoration/conservation on farmland, considering synergies and trade-offs with food security and quality.
4. Assess and compare how different farming systems (conventional, organic, agroecological, etc.) contribute to ecosystem restoration, prioritizing clearly defined and legally compliant approaches.
5. Apply a transdisciplinary, multi-actor approach, engaging farming, biodiversity/ecosystem, social sciences and humanities experts, plus policymakers, land managers and agricultural advisors, to co-create solutions.
6. Produce practical, ready-to-use tools, methodologies and guidance, with freely accessible dissemination and open capacity building.
7. Allocate resources to collaborate with parallel projects (in particular HORIZON-CL 6-2025-01-BIODIV-06), relevant Horizon Europe partnerships (‘Biodiversa+’, ‘Agroecology’), the JRC, EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Bio Agora Science Service.
8. Ensure compliance with Horizon Europe General Annexes (eligibility, capacity, evaluation, legal/financial set-up) and use the lump-sum funding model.
1. Quantify the short, medium and long-term costs and benefits of restoration measures on farm productivity (input/output) and evaluate the economic impact of ecosystem services under action versus non-action scenarios.
2. Develop and assess science-based targets for biodiversity restoration in agricultural ecosystems (Art. 11 EU Nature Restoration Regulation), outline implementation pathways, and further solidify and harmonize biodiversity indicators.
3. Generate evidence to design and improve incentive and reward mechanisms for restoration/conservation on farmland, considering synergies and trade-offs with food security and quality.
4. Assess and compare how different farming systems (conventional, organic, agroecological, etc.) contribute to ecosystem restoration, prioritizing clearly defined and legally compliant approaches.
5. Apply a transdisciplinary, multi-actor approach, engaging farming, biodiversity/ecosystem, social sciences and humanities experts, plus policymakers, land managers and agricultural advisors, to co-create solutions.
6. Produce practical, ready-to-use tools, methodologies and guidance, with freely accessible dissemination and open capacity building.
7. Allocate resources to collaborate with parallel projects (in particular HORIZON-CL 6-2025-01-BIODIV-06), relevant Horizon Europe partnerships (‘Biodiversa+’, ‘Agroecology’), the JRC, EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Bio Agora Science Service.
8. Ensure compliance with Horizon Europe General Annexes (eligibility, capacity, evaluation, legal/financial set-up) and use the lump-sum funding model.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Funding via Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions under a lump-sum grant model (HORIZON-AG-LS).
• Mandatory application of the multi-actor approach as defined in the Work Programme General Annexes.
• Joint Research Centre (JRC) may join the consortium as a participant.
• Proposals must cooperate with:
– Topic projects under this Work Programme (notably HORIZON-CL 6-2025-01-BIODIV-06).
– Horizon Europe Partnerships ‘Biodiversa+’ and ‘Agroecology’.
– EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and its Science Service project Bio Agora.
• Compliance with all admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, evaluation and award criteria and processes described in the Horizon Europe General Annexes and Programme Guide.
• Open-access dissemination of results, free capacity-building activities and engagement with stakeholders.
• Mandatory application of the multi-actor approach as defined in the Work Programme General Annexes.
• Joint Research Centre (JRC) may join the consortium as a participant.
• Proposals must cooperate with:
– Topic projects under this Work Programme (notably HORIZON-CL 6-2025-01-BIODIV-06).
– Horizon Europe Partnerships ‘Biodiversa+’ and ‘Agroecology’.
– EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and its Science Service project Bio Agora.
• Compliance with all admissibility, eligibility, exclusion, evaluation and award criteria and processes described in the Horizon Europe General Annexes and Programme Guide.
• Open-access dissemination of results, free capacity-building activities and engagement with stakeholders.
Important dates
Open from: 06/05/2025
Deadline:17/09/2025
Application period has ended
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