Section 1 – Thematic Area 2-Farming Systems 2023 Topic 1.2.1-2023 (IA) Actions to restore and return degraded lands in the Mediterranean region into productive agroecosystems
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 call supports the deployment of measures and practices adapted to biophysical and socio-economic conditions in the Mediterranean region to restore degraded natural resources and their ecosystem functions.
The deadline for the submission of stage 1 pre-proposals is 22 March 2023. The deadline for the submission of stage 2 full proposals is 06 September 2023.
Detailed Call Description
Proposals should scale up existing local knowledge and/or propose practices already tested at a research scale in the Mediterranean region to restore soil health on degraded lands capitalising on agroecological practices. The use of species, varieties and breeds, previously or de novo generated by classic and novel breeding techniques and better adapted to local climatic conditions with minimal watering/inputs and generating incomes and food for the local holders, are strongly encouraged.
Proposals should be built on demonstration sites located in different Mediterranean Partner Countries (a third country bordering the Mediterranean Sea participating in PRIMA) (land degradation hot spots) and follow a participatory method that ensures the involvement of key stakeholders. They should also assess the costs and benefits of agricultural practices to restore drylands already affected by desertification by building up business models to enhance investments and create new market opportunities and social wealth.
Since an engagement at a large geographical scale and coordinated actions are needed to combat desertification in the long term, this action should prepare the ground for developing soil restoration Mediterranean lighthouses that allow efficient exchanges of expertise and best soil and land management practices to be adopted in regions already affected by desertification. The project’s proponents should use solutions against desertification from projects funded by previous PRIMA and Horizon 2020/Horizon Europe calls by developing a close partnership during the implementation of respective projects. A multi-actor approach, including all the relevant stakeholders (public and private actors), is strongly encouraged to ensure the system’s sustainability even after the project’s end.
Call Total Budget
Financing percentage by EU or other bodies / Level of Subsidy or Loan
70%
Except for non-profit legal entities in which case the funding rate is 100%
PRIMA considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the range of € 4,100,000 and with a duration of 36 months, would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.
Thematic Categories
- Health
- Land Development
- Research, Technological Development and Innovation
- Rural development
Eligibility for Participation
- Farmers Unions
- Farmers, Agriculturalists
- International Organisations
- Investment Funds
- Large Enterprises
- Legal Entities
- NGOs
- Non Profit Organisations
- Private Bodies
- Researchers/Research Centers/Institutions
- Semi-governmental organisations
- Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)
- State-owned Enterprises
Eligibility For Participation Notes
Legal entities established in the following countries and territories will be eligible to receive funding through PRIMA grants (Participating States): Algeria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Slovenia, Tunisia and Turkey.
In addition, the following entities can also receive funding through PRIMA grants:
- a legal entity created under the European Union law;
- an international European interest organisation, as defined in point (12) of Article 2(1) of Regulation (EU) No 1290/2013;
- an international organisation OR any legal entity established in countries not listed above, provided that at least one of the following conditions is fulfilled:
- participation is deemed to be essential for carrying out the action (access to unique know-how, access to research infrastructures, access to geographical environments, involving key partners in emerging markets, access to data, etc.);
- such funding is provided under a bilateral scientific and technological agreement or any other arrangement between the Union and the international organisation or, for entities established in a country that is not a Participating State, the country in which the legal entity is established.
Participants from countries not listed above can participate but they must fund their participation.
Consortium composition
At least four legal entities established in at least three different countries considered as Participating States. Each of the three must be established in a different country considered to be PRIMA Participating State 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 2020 and not being a Mediterranean Partner Country (MPC); and
- at least two must be established in a MPC.
Call Opening Date
Call Closing Date
National Contact Point(s)
Research and Innovation Foundation
Competent RIF Officer:
Savvia Alexandraki
Email: salexandraki@research.org.cy
Τelephone: +357 22205070
EU Contact Point
Fabrice Dentressangle “Project Officer” (Farming Systems Thematic Area) – fabrice.dentressangle@prima-med.org