Horizon Europe - Work Programme 2023-2024

Highlight on the global dimension of the research programme (Cluster 6)

The underlying paradigm of Cluster 6 is the need for a transformative change of the EU economy and society to reduce environmental degradation, halt and reverse the decline of biodiversity and better manage natural resources while meeting the EU’s climate objectives and ensuring food and water security. It takes into account the evolving geopolitical context and the new research and innovation priorities focused on further strengthening the EU’s open strategic autonomy in particular in the energy and food sectors.

Cluster 6 activities will sustain the EU’s ambition in international fora in areas of paramount importance such as biodiversity, climate change, the management of natural resources, seas and ocean, zero pollution, sustainable agriculture, food safety and food and nutrition security.

In particular, Cluster 6 will steer and accelerate the transition to sustainable, healthy and inclusive food systems to effectively achieve the objectives of the farm to fork strategy. It will empower farmers, fishers and aquaculture producers to transform their production methods more quickly and efficiently and make the best use of nature-based, technological, digital and social innovations. This will deliver better climate mitigation and environmental results, increase climate resilience and reduce dependency on pesticides and antimicrobials. Furthermore it will also provide consumers with affordable, safe, nutritious, healthy and sustainable food. R&I will also stimulate i) practices at all stages of the food system from production to processing, ii) services, iii) the use and valorisation of waste and by-products and iv) surplus management. This will ensure safe and sustainable food and enable a shift to sustainable and healthy diets.

The EU also aims to promote a global transition to sustainable food systems. Its relationship with Africa is a key priority. Targeted R&I activities, in particular under the EU-Africa Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) and global initiatives involving international research consortia, will help achieve this ambition and contribute to the AU-EU High Level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation.

Calls foreseen under the global dimension of the research programme (Cluster 6)

HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-17: EU-African Union cooperation – linking the activities of the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership and those of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) (EU contribution: EUR 4 million)

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: ï Improved alignment of activities of the FNSSA Research and Innovation Partnership and of the Pan-African Network for Economic Analysis of Policies (PANAP) in the scope of EU-AU cooperation, supporting the implementation of the FNSSA 10-year roadmap and the global transition towards sustainable food systems, providing end users with co- benefits in terms of evidence-based policy analysis supporting food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture;

• Provide opportunities for exchange in sustainable agricultural and food system policy development and related studies between EU and AU in the context of the EU-AU FNSSA Research and Innovation Partnership and in the framework of PANAP;

• Support African agricultural and food systems policy making process through enhanced cooperation in the area of economic, social and environmental impact (including biodiversity) analysis of policy options for food systems, nutrition performance, agri-food trade, and development of rural areas;

• Fill in the gap between researchers and decision-makers, by fostering dialogues to better understand the duties and responsibilities of stakeholders.

HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-18: Support for the implementation of a sustainable platform for the EU-African Union cooperation under the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership (EU contribution: EUR 4 million)

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Support to the implementation, functioning, consolidation and possible enlargement of a sustainable, and therefore long-term, platform for the EU-Africa Research & Innovation FNSSA partnership in the form of an International Research Consortium (IRC);

• Creation of a knowledge platform for sharing information on relevant research activities and results concerning the FNSSA roadmap;

• Maintenance and better coordination of EU-Africa research and innovation activities and investments in food nutrition security and sustainable agriculture in line with the FNSSA roadmap, thereby maximizing complementarities and avoiding duplication of efforts by supporting FNSSA Working Group;

HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-19: Support to the markets and trade of agroecological food products under the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership (EU contribution: EUR 7 million)

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved assessment systems for agroecological food systems with co-benefits for producers, climate, biodiversity and citizens;

• Assessment of certification schemes, testing innovative solutions (e.g. digital solutions) with agro-food systems/certification actors, such as fair agricultural trade, ministries in charge and border regime management;

• Contribution to the joint EU-AU Innovation Agenda.

HORIZON-CL6-2023-FARM2FORK-01-20: EU-Africa Union – food safety (EU contribution: EUR 5 million)

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved African food safety systems;

• Building blocks for improved food safety in Africa, improving climate, environment and food systems, reducing losses by mycotoxins, enhancing local transformation, local markets and regional trade, while reducing impacts on environment, biodiversity, health and society.

HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-10: EU-African Union cooperation on agroforestry management for climate change adaptation and mitigation (EU contribution: EUR 6 million)

Projects results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved availability of qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to the contribution of agroforestry to climate change adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity preservation, and to sustainable agriculture;

• Improved management of agroforestry systems (conventional, agroecological and/or organic), including agro-pastoral systems, in Africa;

• Enhanced capacities to evaluate the socioeconomic and environmental performance of agroforestry for climate change resilience;

• A strengthened agroforestry innovation ecosystem for better user acceptance and implementation of agroforestry in the African Union (AU).

HORIZON-CL6-2024-FARM2FORK-01-11: EU-African Union – towards climate- neutral, social just fair trade food systems (EU contribution: EUR 4.5 million)

Project results are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Improved assessment systems for sustainable food trade regimes with co-benefits for producers, climate and citizens, biodiversity, assessment of certification schemes (organic, carbon neutral, de-forestation free, conventional), testing innovative solutions with food systems/certification actors;

• Provide data and recommendations for improved Non-Tariff Measure (NTM) regimes;

• Provide solutions to food trade, Ministries in charge, border regime management (digital solutions).

HORIZON-CL6-2024-GOVERNANCE-01-4: Supporting the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance and Declaration (EU contribution: EUR 4 million)

Proposals are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• Support the coordination of marine and maritime research and innovation activities with Atlantic Ocean stakeholders, integrating the North and South Atlantic dimension, aligned with the priorities identified in the 2022 All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance (AAORIA) Declaration, with the aim of facilitating knowledge exchange, structure its integration as well as stimulating all forms of innovation, in view of providing benefit to local communities;

• Consolidated integration of partners and newcomers to the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance and enhanced visibility to the activities through targeted communication actions and coordination of visual identity;

• Support to the governance, implementation and reporting of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance;

• Forged links and coordination with other important EU and international activities such as the European Mission Restore Our Ocean and Waters by 2030, and in particular its Atlantic-Arctic Lighthouse, the Horizon Europe Partnership for a Sustainable Blue Economy, and organisations in charge of protection of the marine and coastal environment in the Atlantic, such as the OSPAR and Abidjan Conventions, in delivering coordinated activities in the Atlantic Sea Basin, while ensuring its interlinks with the adjacent polar areas;

• Foster active contribution from the All-Atlantic Ocean Research and Innovation Alliance to achieving the goals of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021-2030, the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, the Convention on Biological Diversity, to Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), as well as G7 and G20 related activities;

• Facilitated synergies in youth and gender programmes and capacity development for early career professionals; educational and inter-generational activities in favour of youth and communities living on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.