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.
Call
Summary
The topics that have opened under the present call are the following:
- Thematic Area 1 – Water management in the Nexus: Topic 2.1.1-2025 (RIA) Enhancing Policy Development through Impact-Driven Water Footprint and Virtual Water Concepts in the Mediterranean Region.
- Thematic Area 2 – Farming systems in the Nexus: Topic 2.2.1-2025 (RIA) Upscaling Agroecology Practices at the Farm Level in the Mediterranean
- Thematic Area 3 – Food value chain: Topic 2.3.1 – 2025 (RIA) Towards a Plant-Based Alternative Protein products Transition in the Mediterranean Region.
Detailed Call Description
Thematic Area 1 – Water management in the Nexus:
Topic 2.1.1-2025 (RIA) Enhancing Policy Development through Impact-Driven Water Footprint and Virtual Water Concepts in the Mediterranean Region.
Recognising the limitations of traditional water footprint and virtual water concepts as purely quantitative measures, this topic highlights the need for integrated impact assessments in policy development across the Mediterranean. The objective is to drive policies that promote equitable and efficient water use, reduce environmental degradation, prevent water pollution, and strengthen resilience to climate-related challenges.
Thematic Area 2 – Farming systems in the Nexus:
Topic 2.2.1-2025 (RIA) Upscaling Agroecology Practices at the Farm Level in the Mediterranean.
Agroecology offers a comprehensive approach that blends ecological principles, traditional knowledge, and innovative techniques to enhance biodiversity, soil health, water conservation, and climate resilience. It simultaneously supports food security and livelihoods. There is an urgent call to expand agroecological practices by integrating diverse cultivation methods and interdisciplinary approaches, including leveraging microbial technologies to boost soil health and crop yields. It is crucial to develop sustainable business models that ensure profitability for small farmers, addressing challenges such as organic certification costs, market dynamics, and the need for cohesive legislation supporting micro and small enterprises.
Thematic Area 3 – Food value chain:
Topic 2.3.1 – 2025 (RIA) Towards a Plant-Based Alternative Protein products Transition in the Mediterranean Region.
The objective is to support projects that advocate for plant-based protein alternative products (PBAPs) in Mediterranean diets, reduce environmental impacts, and celebrate cultural heritage. By addressing key challenges in the region, this initiative aims to promote resilience, well-being, and long-term sustainability. Proposed strategies should be culturally sensitive, acknowledging the unique culinary heritage of the Mediterranean and addressing obstacles faced by local consumers. This approach will highlight the health and environmental advantages of PBAPs while respecting traditional dietary practices, fostering an inclusive transition towards sustainable, plant-based eating.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
PRIMA considers that proposals requesting a contribution of at least €1.500.000 and with a duration of 36 months, would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately.
The total budget of the Cypriot national call (announced by RIF) for Cypriot consortia within the transnational consortium amounts to €400.000 while the maximum funding per project per Cypriot consortium amounts to €200.000.
The total budget of the Creek national call (announced by RIF) for Greek consortia within the transnational consortium amounts to €2.000.000 while the maximum funding per project per Greek consortium amounts to €400.000 ( €450.000 if the proposal is coordinated by a Greek entity) and €200.000 per partner (€250.000 in case of project coordinator).
Thematic Categories
- Agriculture - Food
- Education and training
- Environment and Climate Change
- Health
- Industry
- Information Technology
- Public Administration
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Rural development
- Small-Medium Enterprises and Competitiveness
- Social Affairs & Human Rights
- Water - Management of Water Resources
- Youth
Eligibility for Participation
- Businesses
- Consumer Organisations
- Educational Institutions
- International Organisations
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- Local Authorities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Other Beneficiaries
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
- Youth
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Legal entities established in the following countries and territories will be eligible to receive funding through PRIMA grants: Algeria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Tunisia and Turkey.
Additionally to the standard eligibility conditions, each participant in a bidding consortium must check their own eligibility for participation/funding in accordance to their national regulations. For Cyprus the National Funding Agency is the Research & Innovation Foundation (RIF).
For Greece the National Funding Agency is the General Secretariat for Research and Innovation – Ministry of Development – General Secretariat for Research and Innovation (GSRI).
Consortium requirements
At least four legal entities established in three different countries considered as the Participating States (see above). Each of the three must be established in a different country considered to be PRIMA PS by submission deadline under the relevant call, 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 Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC); and
- at least one must be established in a third country bordering the Mediterranean Sea (MPC)
All three legal entities must be independent of each other.
Cypriot National eligibility conditions
The entities eligible for participation are: Research Organisations, Enterprises and Other Organisations (Other Private Sector Organisations or Public and Broader Public Sector Organisations). The number of organisations in the Cypriot Consortium should be between one to three (1-3).
Greek National eligibility conditions
The entities eligible for participation are: All private and public legal entities legally operating by Greece.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
For further information, interested parties may contact the RIF’s Partner Support Center by phone on 22205000 or via email at support@research.org.cy.