The European Agroecology Partnership prepares its 4th call to accelerate the transition to more sustainable agricultural and food systems

The European Agroecology Partnership, of which the CDTI Innovation is part, is preparing the launch of its fourth joint call for funding of research and innovation projects. The initiative, co-financed by the European Union, seeks to accelerate the transition of agricultural systems through agroecology, live laboratories (Living Labs) and research infrastructures, to move towards more sustainable, resilient and competitive agricultural and food systems.

European agriculture faces increasing challenges, such as climate change, resource scarcity, market volatility and geopolitical instability. In this context, the call seeks to support collaborative projects that develop solutions adaptable to the different agricultural, environmental and socio-economic environments of Europe, favoring an agro-ecological transition that contributes to guaranteeing food security and preserving the environment without compromising the economic viability of the sector.
 

Highlighted dates

The announcement is scheduled to be launched in December 2026. The process of submission and selection of proposals will be developed throughout 2027, according to the following tentative timetable:

• Launch of the call for applications: December 2026
• Closure of pre-proposals: February 2027
• Closure of complete proposals: July 2027
• Selection of projects: October 2027
• Start of the projects: early 2028
   

Topics of research

The fourth call, entitled “Accelerating systemic agroecological transitions for resilient and competitive agricultural and food systems”, is structured around two preliminary thematic areas:

• Systemic redesign pathways for the agroecological transition. It focuses on designing, testing and implementing agro-ecological innovations in agricultural systems, landscapes, territories, value chains and food systems.
• Agroecology for resilience, food security and enabling frameworks for transition. It addresses the contribution of agroecology to resilience, food security, strategic autonomy and competitiveness, as well as the development of scenarios, governance models and incentives that facilitate long-term transitions in contexts of uncertainty.

The proposals should adopt a multi-stakeholder approach, with co-creation structures and joint execution of activities, through Living Labs or other similar approaches.
 

Participating entities and consortium requirements

The call is aimed at universities and other institutions of higher education, public research bodies, profit-making and not-for-profit entities, consumers and citizens, representatives of civil society, private companies and living laboratories constituted as legal entities. Participation shall be subject to the specific rules of the relevant funding agencies.

The consortiums must be made up of at least three eligible partners applying for funding in the call, coming from a minimum of three different countries providing funding. The preliminary list provides for the participation of 19 countries and regions, with a joint indicative budget of EUR 25 million.
 

Contact

For more information on the call and to receive advice on the proposals, interested Spanish entities can contact the Deputy Directorate of Technological Cooperation of the CDTI Innovation through the e-mails partenariadoshe@cdti.es or veronica.estruch@cdti.es
 

CDTI Innovation

The Center for Technological Development and Innovation, CDTI E.P.E. It is the innovation agency of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, whose objective is the promotion of technological innovation in the business environment. The mission of the CDTI is to ensure that the Spanish business fabric generates and transforms scientific and technical knowledge into globally competitive, sustainable and inclusive growth.

 
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