Horizon Europe is the European Union (EU) funding programme for the period 2021 – 2027, which targets the sectors of research and innovation. The programme’s budget is around € 95.5 billion, of which € 5.4 billion is from NextGenerationEU to stimulate recovery and strengthen the EU’s resilience in the future, and € 4.5 billion is additional aid.
Expected Outcome:
Projects are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:
This topic contributes to the second objective of the Mission on Adaptation to Climate Change (as well as the Mission ‘Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030’ as well as the
Mission ‘A soil deal for Europe’) and corresponds to one of the thematic research areas described in the Climate Adaptation Mission Implementation Plan. It is to support
knowledge dissemination amongst regions and communities and to test solutions that help the management of areas (both land-use, soil, ground water and surface water), in particular in facing present and future extreme weather events, through developing integrated approach to increase the sponge functioning of areas by the restoration of natural retention functions of the soil, ground water and small tributaries of surface water systems in river basins, with special attention to the potential of natural and semi-natural habitats restoration and enlargement.
When the natural sponge function of an area is efficient, water falling down as precipitation will have the opportunity to infiltrate the soil, where it is stored and filtered at the same time. It can either percolate to the deeper ground water, slowly released to the surrounding small streams and/or serve as a source for the vegetation at that location. The whole system of soil, water and vegetation (ecosystem) will buffer the release of water during intensive rainfall on one hand and will serve as a source of fresh, clean water in times of drought. Both soil, water and air quality as well as biodiversity will benefit from it. Providing better water and soil management will be beneficial for both rural and urban areas, and many sectors depending on enough clean surface and ground water such as drinking water production, agriculture, forestry, transport, tourism and leisure, etcetera.
Changes in the way land is managed can address interconnected issues like flooding, drought, wildfires, human health, and regional temperature shifts, all aspects related to building climate resilience.
Effectively increasing or restoring the natural water retention function of the landscape, both through improving the way soil, ground water, surface water and ecosystems are managed, will generate many ecosystem services for a relative low price, bringing benefits to a whole array of different functions. This adding up of services by restoration of the natural retention function of the landscape, brings a benefit which is (much) larger than the costs of restoration in combination with the cost of coping with the present and future damages caused by extreme climate events such as extreme droughts and intensive rainfall, either long term or through cloud-bursts. Investing in restoration of the sponge function of the landscape can save farmers, municipalities, insurers, and tax payers substantial amounts of money, while reducing risk, and providing multiple benefits (such as flood and drought resilience, reduced erosion, increase biodiversity, moderation of local temperatures, while also improving availability of clean water and improve local economies).
The proposals should address all the following aspects:
The European Commission intends to establish a network and coordination activities amongst all the projects funded for the implementation of the Climate adaptation Mission, under the Horizon 2020 European Green Deal call and under Horizon Europe relevant for adaptation, and that will be coordinated by the soon to be established Mission Implementation Platform. Projects funded under this topic are strongly encouraged to participate in networking and joint activities with other projects funded under other topics in the Mission Climate Adaptation as well as in other Missions, namely the Soil Mission and Ocean and Waters Mission, as appropriate. These networking and joint activities could, for example, involve the participation in joint workshops, the exchange of knowledge, the development and adoption of best practices, or joint communication activities. To this extent, proposals should provide for dedicated activities and earmark appropriate resources.
The Commission estimates that an EU contribution of between EUR 2.00 and 3.00 million would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of a proposal requesting different amounts.
Research and Innovation Foundation
29a Andrea Michalakopoulou, 1075 Nicosia
P.O.Box 23422, 1683 Nicosia
Phone Number: +357 22205000
Email Address: support@research.org.cy
Website: https://www.research.org.cy/en/
Contact Person:
Myrto Anastassiadou
Contact Phone: +357 22 205 069
Contact Email: manastassiadou@research.org.cy