European Commission - Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Climate Resilient Food Systems and Water Security Research and Innovation Action

The European Commission's Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call on Climate Resilient Food Systems and Water Security is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under the Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to bolster the resilience of Europe's agri-food and water sectors against climate-induced disruptions, including droughts, floods, and soil degradation. The call recognizes that food systems account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and that water scarcity affects 20% of EU territory. The specific topic, HORIZON-CL6-2026-FARM2FORK-01, invites proposals that integrate technological, social, and policy innovations to achieve a sustainable and circular food system. Projects must demonstrate direct benefits for farmers, water utilities, and consumers, contributing to the European Green Deal's ambition of carbon neutrality by 2050. The total budget for this topic is approximately €120 million, with individual grants ranging from €5-15 million over 48 months. Proposals must include at least three partners from three different EU member states or associated countries, with strong emphasis on multi-actor engagement. The call is open for submission until September 15, 2026, with expected funding decisions by early 2027. This timeline provides ample opportunity for comprehensive proposal development, including capacity building through GSLI's specialized training courses. The strategic importance of this call cannot be overstated. The EU has set binding targets under the Farm to Fork Strategy: reduce pesticide use by 50%, fertilizer use by 20%, and food waste by 50% by 2030. Concurrently, the Water Framework Directive requires sustainable water management across all sectors. This call directly supports these targets by funding research on drought-resistant crops, water-efficient irrigation, digital monitoring, and circular economy models. Projects are expected to contribute to the EU's Biodiversity Strategy by promoting agroecological practices and restoring wetlands. The call also aligns with the EU's Climate Adaptation Strategy, which emphasizes nature-based solutions for water retention and flood prevention. From a geopolitical perspective, this call strengthens Europe's food sovereignty and reduces dependence on imports, which have been affected by global conflicts and supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, it creates opportunities for public-private partnerships and cross-border collaboration, fostering innovation and economic growth in rural areas. Successful proposals will likely feature strong consortia with complementary expertise, a clear theory of change, and a robust dissemination plan. To maximize impact, consortia should consider the entire food-water-energy nexus. For instance, integrating renewable energy to power irrigation systems can reduce carbon footprint and operational costs. Digital tools like blockchain can enhance traceability and reduce food fraud. Social innovations, such as local food hubs, can shorten supply chains and improve food access. The call encourages test-before-scale approaches, with pilots in diverse agro-climatic zones across the EU. Ethical considerations include ensuring equitable access to technologies and avoiding negative impacts on small-scale farmers. GSLI's courses on Procurement & Supply Chain and Monitoring & Evaluation can help consortia design sustainable and inclusive implementation plans. Finally, the European Commission expects open science practices, including open access publications and FAIR data management, to maximize societal benefits. This comprehensive approach positions this call as a flagship opportunity for driving Europe's green transition.

Strategic Overview

The European Commission's Horizon Europe Cluster 6 call on Climate Resilient Food Systems and Water Security is a Research and Innovation Action (RIA) under the Farm to Fork Strategy. It aims to bolster the resilience of Europe's agri-food and water sectors against climate-induced disruptions, including droughts, floods, and soil degradation. The call recognizes that food systems account for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions and that water scarcity affects 20% of EU territory. The specific topic, HORIZON-CL6-2026-FARM2FORK-01, invites proposals that integrate technological, social, and policy innovations to achieve a sustainable and circular food system. Projects must demonstrate direct benefits for farmers, water utilities, and consumers, contributing to the European Green Deal's ambition of carbon neutrality by 2050. The total budget for this topic is approximately €120 million, with individual grants ranging from €5-15 million over 48 months. Proposals must include at least three partners from three different EU member states or associated countries, with strong emphasis on multi-actor engagement. The call is open for submission until September 15, 2026, with expected funding decisions by early 2027. This timeline provides ample opportunity for comprehensive proposal development, including capacity building through GSLI's specialized training courses. The strategic importance of this call cannot be overstated. The EU has set binding targets under the Farm to Fork Strategy: reduce pesticide use by 50%, fertilizer use by 20%, and food waste by 50% by 2030. Concurrently, the Water Framework Directive requires sustainable water management across all sectors. This call directly supports these targets by funding research on drought-resistant crops, water-efficient irrigation, digital monitoring, and circular economy models. Projects are expected to contribute to the EU's Biodiversity Strategy by promoting agroecological practices and restoring wetlands. The call also aligns with the EU's Climate Adaptation Strategy, which emphasizes nature-based solutions for water retention and flood prevention. From a geopolitical perspective, this call strengthens Europe's food sovereignty and reduces dependence on imports, which have been affected by global conflicts and supply chain disruptions. Furthermore, it creates opportunities for public-private partnerships and cross-border collaboration, fostering innovation and economic growth in rural areas. Successful proposals will likely feature strong consortia with complementary expertise, a clear theory of change, and a robust dissemination plan. To maximize impact, consortia should consider the entire food-water-energy nexus. For instance, integrating renewable energy to power irrigation systems can reduce carbon footprint and operational costs. Digital tools like blockchain can enhance traceability and reduce food fraud. Social innovations, such as local food hubs, can shorten supply chains and improve food access. The call encourages test-before-scale approaches, with pilots in diverse agro-climatic zones across the EU. Ethical considerations include ensuring equitable access to technologies and avoiding negative impacts on small-scale farmers. GSLI's courses on Procurement & Supply Chain and Monitoring & Evaluation can help consortia design sustainable and inclusive implementation plans. Finally, the European Commission expects open science practices, including open access publications and FAIR data management, to maximize societal benefits. This comprehensive approach positions this call as a flagship opportunity for driving Europe's green transition.

Who is it For?

This call targets a broad yet specific set of beneficiaries, primarily focusing on research and innovation actors within the European Union and associated countries. Eligible applicants include but are not limited to universities, research institutes, public bodies, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large enterprises, and international organizations. The Horizon Europe program particularly encourages multi-actor consortia that bring together complementary expertise from across the value chain. For this specific topic, priority is given to consortia that include farmers and farmers' associations, water management authorities, food processing industries, consumer groups, and policy makers. Non-EU entities are eligible if they provide added value and have a clear role defined in the proposal. The call is open to both experienced Horizon participants and newcomers, but coordination skills and a track record in EU-funded projects are advantageous. The minimum consortium size is typically three entities from three different EU member states or associated countries. GSLI's courses on Grant Management and Monitoring & Evaluation are particularly relevant for organizations new to Horizon Europe compliance requirements.

Priorities

The donor's primary priority is to foster climate-resilient food systems that can adapt to extreme weather events while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Key investment KPIs include a 20% reduction in water usage in agriculture, a 30% decrease in food loss along the supply chain, and a 15% increase in the adoption of sustainable farming practices by 2030. The European Commission emphasizes cross-disciplinary research that integrates social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Digitalization and data-driven solutions are highly prioritized, including the use of AI, IoT, and remote sensing for precision agriculture and water management. The call also stresses the circular economy, aiming to minimize waste and promote resource efficiency. Stakeholder engagement is critical, with requirement for co-creation and co-implementation with end-users. Additionally, projects should contribute to the EU's Biodiversity Strategy by promoting agroecological practices and restoring degraded ecosystems. The donor expects clear measurement frameworks aligned with EU policy indicators, including the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) performance metrics. Consortia must demonstrate how their project will generate policy recommendations for EU and national decision-makers.

Eligibility

Eligibility is governed by Horizon Europe's standard rules, which include stringent financial capacity, legal status, and governance requirements. Organizations must be established in an EU member state or Horizon Europe associated country. For this call, entities from low- and middle-income countries may participate but must justify their contribution and secure funding from their own resources unless otherwise specified. Financial capacity is assessed based on annual turnover, solvency, and the ability to pre-finance activities before EU reimbursement. The consortium must appoint a coordinator who assumes legal and financial responsibility. Additionally, specific eligibility criteria preclude actions that involve the development or testing of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) unless for risk assessment purposes. The call also prohibits actions that contradict EU environmental and animal welfare standards. Proposals must involve at least three entities from different member states, and the coordinator must have a valid Participant Identification Code (PIC) through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Furthermore, the project must not exceed 48 months duration, with total costs between €5-15 million. GSLI's Financial Management for NGOs course is highly recommended to ensure robust budget planning and audit readiness.

Path to Success

To secure this Horizon Europe grant, follow a strategic four-step roadmap with GSLI integration: 1. **Strategic Consortium Building**: Identify and engage key partners from research, industry, and civil society. Conduct a stakeholder mapping exercise to ensure geographical and sectoral diversity. Leverage GSLI's 'Project Management for Development' course to structure consortium governance and communication protocols. Use the training to design a clear decision-making framework and conflict resolution mechanism. This step should be completed within the first three months, with a consortium agreement drafted early. 2. **Proposal Co-Creation and Technical Design**: Develop a theory of change aligning with the call's priorities. Use GSLI's 'Writing Winning Proposals' course to craft a compelling narrative that demonstrates impact, scalability, and innovation. Focus on specific technical areas: water-efficient irrigation, climate-resilient crop varieties, and digital monitoring systems. Incorporate a clear work breakdown structure (WBS) and Gantt chart. Ensure that the budget is justified and realistic, with at least 30% allocated to pilot activities. GSLI's 'Financial Management for NGOs' training will ensure compliance with Horizon Europe cost categories and audit requirements. 3. **Capacity Strengthening and Risk Management**: Enroll key personnel in GSLI's 'Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)' course to design a robust M&E framework with baseline, target, and milestone indicators. Use the training to establish an M&E plan that includes data collection methods, frequency, and responsible parties. Simultaneously, conduct a risk assessment using GSLI's risk management tools, identifying technical, financial, and political risks. Develop mitigation strategies, such as insurance for pilot sites or alternative technology partners. 4. **Submission and Compliance**: Submit the proposal via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal by the deadline. Ensure all administrative forms are correctly filled, including participant declarations and ethical clearance. After submission, prepare for quick response to any evaluation queries. Upon potential funding, use GSLI's 'Grants Management' course to set up compliance protocols for reporting, procurement, and auditing. This step includes finalizing consortium agreements and opening a dedicated bank account for the grant.

Recommended GSLI Courses

Deadline: 2026-09-15

Persona: General

Urgency: Normal