PRIMA – Section 1 – Thematic Area 2-Farming systems in the Nexus – 1.2.1-2026 (IA): Next Generation of Sustainable and Alternative Animal Feeds for Circular and Resilient Mediterranean Farming Systems
Programme Category
Programme Name
Programme Description
PRIMA – Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area is the most ambitious joint programme to be undertaken in the frame of Euro-Mediterranean cooperation.
The overall objective of the PRIMA programme is to build research and innovation capacities and to develop knowledge and common innovative solutions for agro-food systems, to make them sustainable, and for integrated water provision and management in the Mediterranean area, to make those systems and that provision and management more climate resilient, efficient, cost-effective and environmentally and socially sustainable, and to contribute to solving water scarcity, food security, nutrition, health, well-being and migration problems upstream.
Identifier Code
Call
Summary
The action aims to develop and validate sustainable, economically viable, and regionally adapted alternative feed solutions derived from locally available biomass, including agri-food waste streams.
Proposed innovations should build on and advance existing knowledge and solutions from previous projects, including those supported under EU and PRIMA programmes, where relevant.
Detailed Call Description
Projects are expected to validate the proposed feed solutions in (near-)operational environments (TRL 6–7), demonstrating their technical performance, added environmental value, and competitiveness relative to conventional feed systems, with the objective of progressing toward higher TRLs and investment-readiness for deployment at farm and value-chain scale.
Projects are expected to address at least three of the following activities:
- Co-develop and optimise alternative feed formulations based on regionally available biomass legume crops and agri-food waste streams (e.g., processing residues, by-products, bakery waste), ensuring nutritional adequacy, digestibility, safety, environmentally sustainability, and compliance with relevant EU and national regulations.
- Test and validate the selected feed solutions in (near-)operational environments (TRL 6–7), including livestock and/or aquaculture demonstration sites and Living Labs21, to assess technical performance, practicality, and adaptability across different production systems
- Assess the effects of the alternative feeds on animal health and welfare, productivity, and the quality and safety of animal-derived products, ensuring conformity with relevant regulatory standards.
- Conduct environmental and economic performance assessments, including: – Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) (e.g., carbon footprint, water use, land use, biodiversity impacts), – Cost–benefit and competitiveness analysis compared to conventional feed chains, – Evaluation of contributions to circularity and resource-use efficiency.
- Develop strategies for scalability and commercialisation, including business and financing models, integration into local feed value chains, investment-readiness assessments, and engagement with market actors and potential investors.
In line with the award criteria for Innovation Actions, proposals will be assessed on the credibility of their pathways to impact, including the meaningful involvement and role of SMEs and other innovation actors, as well as on the economic and financial viability of the proposed feed solutions. Applicants are therefore expected to demonstrate cost-effectiveness, competitiveness with conventional feed systems, and scalability, supported by appropriate business and financing models and, where relevant, engagement with value-chain actors or investors.
Proposals should adopt a Multi-Actor Approach (MAA), ensuring that all key actors—end users, practitioners, SMEs, technology providers, researchers, and competent authorities—are meaningfully involved throughout the entire project lifecycle. This includes the definition of needs, co-design of solutions, testing and validation in real contexts, interpretation of results, and formulation of recommendations. Living Labs23 are encouraged ensuring their relevance to local socio-ecological contexts, and their feasibility under real operational conditions.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
100%
- Thematic Area 2 – Farming systems in the Nexus: The total indicative budget for the topic is €10.815 million.
PRIMA estimates that an EU contribution of around €2.7 million with a project duration of 36 months would allow these outcomes to be addressed appropriately.
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Farming - Forestry
- Environment and Climate Change
- Industry
- Public Administration
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Rural development
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
- Water - Management of Water Resources
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Central Government
- Educational Institutions
- Farmers Unions
- Farmers, Agriculturalists
- International Organisations
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Other Beneficiaries
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Legal entities established in a PRIMA Participating State or created pursuant to Union law.
- The following EU Member States (MS): Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, including the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCT) linked to these Member States.
- The following Third countries associated with Horizon Europe (AC): Egypt, Israel, Tunisia, and Turkey.
- The following Third Countries not Associated with Horizon Europe (TC): Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Algeria.
Participants from countries not listed above, may still participate as associated partners in PRIMA projects, but they shall not be eligible for funding.
For Innovation Actions (IAs) independent legal entities, each established in a different PRIMA Participating State (by the time of grant agreement signature) out of which:
- at least one must be established in an EU Member State or a third country associated to Horizon Europe and not being a third country bordering the Mediterranean (MPC) and
- at least one must be established in a third country bordering the Mediterranean Sea (MPC)
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
EU Contact Point
Fabrice Dentressangle at fabrice.dentressangle@prima-med.org