Adapting to and mitigating demographic trends in rural areas through evidence-based planning and innovative solutions

Code: 36902 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Rural areas cover more than 80% of the EU’s territory and are home to around 30% of its population. Rural communities and areas provide essential ecosystem services for society as a whole, such as food production, energy supply, natural resource management, and access to nature and cultural heritage.

They play an essential role in the green and digital transition.

Many rural areas also face large fluctuations in their population, such as seasonal peaks that challenge local infrastructure and services, which are often only adapted to permanent residents. Some areas are more affected than others by negative demographic trends.

Diversifying aquaculture production with emphasis on low-trophic species

Code: 36899 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-10 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

The scope of this topic includes all possible edible aquatic organisms, with a preference for species of low food value which, in the context of this topic, are photosynthetic or herbivorous or non-feeding species.

Preference shall also be given to fish farming based on feed ingredients with a low content of fishmeal and fish oil and/or produced in the area where the farm is located or in neighbouring areas, as well as feed ingredients derived from circular practices, such as the use of waste or by-products.

National Contact Points (NCPs) in the field of security and cybersecurity fostering the links with National Community building for Safe, Secure and Resilient Societies

Code: 36896 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-SSRI-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 12/11/2025

National Contact Points (NCPs) are support structures that have become an essential component in the implementation of successive Framework Programmes. They provide information and on-the ground advice to potential applicants and beneficiaries, through the project life cycle, in their own language, in a manner that would be impossible for the European Commission and its Agencies acting alone.

NCPs can benefit in their work from the sharing of best practices among them. NCPs can also help to give visibility to different perspectives of all Security Research and Innovation (R&I) stakeholders and to break geographical silos by aggregating the knowledge existing in the EU Member States and regions and incorporate it to the European picture. This set-up increases the visibility of the security at EU level and across security areas.

However, the security sector exhibits a remarkable geographic fragmentation, with actors operating at EU level, at national level, at regional level and even at local level. In order to acknowledge the different perspectives of all stakeholders and break geographical silos, there is a need to aggregate the knowledge existing in the Member States and Associated countries and incorporate it to the European picture.

Open topic on testing / validating tools, technologies and data used in cross-border prevention, preparedness and responses to climate extreme and geological events and chemical, biological or radiological emergency threats

Code: 36894 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-03 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 12/11/2025

The use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine-learning (ML) tools is increasingly at the core of first responder’s decision-making processes, including situational awareness, analysis and planning. Besides the needs to develop AI and ML tools, ground technologies such as miniaturised sensors that can operate autonomously for a long period in harsh environments and are fast and easy to deploy are needed for threat detection (such as chemical, biological or radiological substances) and/or identification of victims and possible locations for intervention. In addition, responders need to exchange information (language, data, video, etc.) in a reliable, secure, and universal way, while emergency communications throughout the European Union also need to be strengthened. In many instances, interoperability of tools, technologies and communication channels is still an open issue, requiring standard operating procedures, specific education, training and exercises of responders.

The European Commission is developing and implementing an EU Preparedness Union Strategy following whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. The proposals’ outcomes should especially work towards supporting the Strategy and follow the recommendations of the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) to ensure a successful uptake to the end users. Under the open topic, proposals are welcome to testing / validate tools, technologies and data used in cross-border prevention, preparedness and responses to climate / geological / accidental fire disasters and chemical, biological or radiological emergency threats (including medical countermeasures) by different practitioner’s sectors in view of demonstrating their interoperability in real-case situations, with focus on the use of AI and ML tools, miniaturized sensors for threat detection and victim identification, and communication (including cross-border emergency communications).

Open topic on Improving disaster risk management and governance to ensure self-sufficiency and sustainability of operations in support of enhanced resilience

Code: 36891 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-DRS-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 12/11/2025

Improved risk governance, adaptation and resilience requires authorities and communities to adopt risk and resilience management approaches, which are inclusive and innovative, through pre-defined plans and procedures, as well as through adaptable and flexible capabilities to prepare for, respond to, recover from and learn from disasters and crises. It requires the implementation of policies at different levels (international to regional and/or local) and strategies for a better understanding of impacts and enhanced risk preparedness and adaptation, which are co-developed and enabled through all-of-society engagement and participation, and hence strengthen resilience to disasters among authorities, decision-makers, private actors, intermediary actors, volunteers and citizens, and the most vulnerable.

The European Commission is developing and implementing an EU Preparedness Union Strategy following whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches. The proposals’ outcomes should especially work towards supporting the Strategy and follow the recommendations of the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (DG ECHO) to ensure a successful uptake to the end users.

Under the open topic, proposals are welcome to address new, upcoming or unforeseen challenges and/or creative or disruptive solutions for an enhanced understanding of impacts of disasters and crises linked to natural or human-made causes on risk governance and improved resilience of emergency systems, that are not covered by topics of Horizon Europe Calls Disaster-Resilient Society 2023-2024. If they related to some of the topics covered by Horizon Europe Calls Disaster-Resilient Society 2021-2022, the proposals should convincingly explain how they will build on and not duplicate them.

The ocean-climate-biodiversity-people nexus: uncovering safe operating space for safeguarding the integrity and health of the global ocean

Code: 36890 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Actions should aim to develop innovative approaches to address only one of the following options:

Α. Ocean integrity under different emission scenarios: extreme events, slow onset events, chain reactions and turning points and ocean inertia.

Β. Ocean integrity and health: current and emerging anthropogenic threats.

Γ. Ocean integrity and health: ocean acidification (OA), planetary boundaries and SDG14.3.1.

To ensure a balanced portfolio covering the topic, grants will be awarded to applications not only in order of ranking but at least also to those that are the highest ranked within each of the  three options (A, B, C) set under ‘scope’, provided that the proposals attain all thresholds.

Additional activities for the European Partnership Water Security for the Planet (Water4All)

Code: 36886 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-CLIMATE-05 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

The objective of this action is to continue to provide support to the Water4All European Partnership identified in the Horizon Europe 2021-2024 strategic plan and first implemented under the HORIZON-CL6-2021-CLIMATE-01-02: European Partnership on Global Water Security, and in particular to fund additional activities (which may also be undertaken by additional partners) in view of its intended scope and duration, and in accordance with Article 24(2) of Horizon Europe

Open topic on efficient border surveillance and maritime security

Code: 36882 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-BM-01 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 12/11/2025

This topic invites proposals aiming to tackle new or unforeseen challenges and develop innovative or disruptive solutions to enhance the capabilities of practitioners in border surveillance and maritime security. Priority may be given to areas at Europe’s external borders and pre-frontier zones that could be affected by geopolitical instability or hybrid threats, ensuring sustained monitoring and rapid response. Proposals should clearly build upon—rather than duplicate—existing Horizon Europe projects. They may cover improvements in information sharing, detection of illegal activities, seamless surveillance in travel and logistics terminals, and decision-support tools across air, sea, and land scenarios. Emphasis is placed on modular, scalable solutions suitable for different regions, and technologies may include sensing systems, autonomous platforms, data fusion, robotics, advanced computing, and human-machine interfaces.

Nutrition in emergency situations – Ready-to-use Supplementary Food (RUSF) and Ready-to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF)

Code: 36881 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-17 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/03/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Cooperation in research and innovation between Europe and Africa will help African countries (health experts, producers, seed companies, SMEs and food industries) to develop/increase relevant and sustainable local production of RUSF and RUTF or any other type of supplements and related ingredients, using varieties adapted to the local climate and agro-ecological conditions, thus protecting and restoring biodiversity.

Exploring and improving access to housing in rural areas and developing the houses and villages of the future

Code: 36878 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-02 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

At European level,there is a lack of research on rural property issues and different rural areas are affected differently by demographic trends and migration flows.

Covid 19 and new teleworking opportunities have also had a strong impact on the property market in rural areas. Some rural areas are experiencing gentrification processes, others are experiencing seasonal tourist flows, while others are affected by depopulation.

Nutrition and Mental Health

Code: 36874 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-12 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

 Mental health has become an important public health, economic and social issue across Europe. A healthy diet can influence mental health and well-being through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, neurogenetic, microbiological and immunomodulatory mechanisms, as well as through epigenetic modifications.

Good nutritional status is important for maintaining normal body function, adequate growth and development, and for preventing or mitigating dysfunctions caused by internal or external factors.

Environmental psychology has demonstrated the positive impact of healthy eating on self-concept, self-efficacy and successful relationships, as well as on various psychological structures.

Humanitarian demining / Unexploded Ordnance Disposal (UXO) of civil areas and unexploded ordnance risk education

Code: 36870 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL3-2025-01-FCT-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Civil security for society (Cluster 3) (2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 12/06/2025 | End submission calls: 12/11/2025

In post-conflict areas, lives of civilians are in danger and the return of economic activity is hindered because the land is contaminated by anti-personnel mines and other unexploded ordnance. The EU provides a continuous support to humanitarian demining activities in heavily mine-affected countries and regions all over the world, thus promoting peace, security, post-conflict reconstruction, as well as social and economic rehabilitation. In Ukraine, mine action is a critical aspect of the humanitarian emergency response, the goal of which is to support the return of the civilian population and the rebuilding of crucial civilian infrastructure. As part of their mine action operations, EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries, such as Croatia, Cyprus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Armenia also strive to make their land completely free of anti-personnel mines and other explosive ordnance.

Improving grassland management in European livestock farming systems+

Code: 36868 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-06 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Good grassland management is crucial for the sustainability of agriculture in the EU and associated countries, as well as for the provision of multiple ecosystem services such as water purification, erosion and flood prevention, carbon sequestration and food production, and for the conservation of biodiversity.

Grasslands can also play an important role as a source of protein crops for animal feed. They are key elements of European socio-cultural landscapes.

Lump Sum Micro-Grants for Members of the SoilTribes Community of Practice

Code: 36865 | Identifier Code: SoilTribes | Programme name: 20613 | Start submission calls: 13/06/2025 | End submission calls: 14/07/2025

The SoilTribes project aims to transform the way society values and interacts with soil by fostering soil literacy, connectivity, and sustainable practices. This innovative initiative focuses on empowering multi-actor communities- referred to as “tribes”- to cocreate and implement solutions that address the critical challenges facing soil health today.

Nutrients produced by microorganisms utilising primarily CO2 from the air, with the support of biotechnology

Code: 36864 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-14 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Innovations using microorganisms have the potential to offer benefits in various sectors such as agriculture, food and feed, industry, the environment, the marine/aquatic sector and biodiversity.
The use of microorganisms genetically modified for precise fermentation is an innovative approach that could contribute significantly to safer food systems.
This biotechnology harnesses the potential of microorganisms to produce nutrients, such as enzymes, fats and other valuable compounds, with high yield and specificity.
It is therefore a key area for investment and research that promises to revolutionise the food system and contribute to a healthier planet.

Fostering animal breeding and genetics for climate change adaptation and mitigation, improved robustness and resilience

Code: 36861 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-07 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Breeding and genetic improvements are some of the tools that can help the livestock sector to increase the efficiency and sustainability of production, to adapt to changes in the environment (e.g. harsh climatic conditions, health risks, changes in feed quality or availability) and to contribute to reducing emissions.

By selecting specific traits that are important for adaptation and mitigation purposes and incorporating them into breeding programmes, farmers and breeders can contribute to more sustainable livestock systems.

Creating urban co-creation spaces for driving sustainable food system transformation

Code: 36855 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-COMMUNITIES-04 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

Achieving sustainable food systems requires the management of numerous interlinked activities and actors that impact on nutrition, the environment and economic outcomes of great importance to the EU, including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Understanding the interconnections and interdependencies of food systems is crucial in decision-making processes to guide food system change.
However, in order to promote more sustainable food systems, it is essential to understand the interrelationships and interdependencies of food systems.

Additional activities of the European partnership on sustainable food systems for people, planet and climate

Code: 36852 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-15 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

The scope of this call for proposals for the European Partnership for Sustainable Food Systems for People, Planet and Climate should focus on the strategic research and innovation programme co-created by the Partnership for seven to ten years, which includes inspiration for calls for proposals for research projects and horizontal activities that will enable the Partnership to operate and achieve its specific objectives.

Developing a joint AU-EU Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) supporting the Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture (FNSSA) partnership

Code: 36850 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-02-FARM2FORK-16 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 16/09/2025

AKIS is defined as the combined organisation and flow of knowledge between individuals, organisations and institutions that use and produce knowledge for agriculture and related sectors. Technological, non-technological and social innovation must be taken into account in an AKIS. In the context of the FNSSA, the development of an effective AKIS in close collaboration with the International Research Consortium for the FNSSA will enhance long-term sustainability and promote the co-creation and flow of knowledge and innovation to ensure food and nutrition security and improve the sustainability of agriculture through agroecological transition and climate change adaptation.

Bioprospecting and optimised production of marine/aquatic natural products in the omics & artificial intelligence era

Code: 36834 | Identifier Code: HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-CIRCBIO-14 | Programme name: 2939 | Sub-program: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment (Cluster 6)(2021-2027) | Start submission calls: 06/05/2025 | End submission calls: 17/09/2025

The huge diversity of marine/aquatic micro-organisms and macro-organisms and their communities is a rich and largely unexplored source of natural products and their essential components.

To survive in habitats ranging from deep-sea sediments to polar regions or shallow waters, marine organisms have evolved a wide range of structures, defence mechanisms and metabolic pathways, resulting in natural products with enormous chemical diversity and a wide range of biological activities.

Biological interactions between intertidal communities, e.g. symbiotic or defence mechanisms, can offer attractive perspectives and also fall within the scope.