Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment is one of six clusters under the Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness Pillar of the Horizon Europe Work Programme. Read more about Horizon Europe’s pillars, the Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment cluster and its aims.
What are Horizon Europe’s Global Challenges?
The Horizon Europe R&I Programme is built around three pillars. Pillar 2, Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness focuses on the major challenges that not only the European Union, but the whole world, is facing. This pillar is divided into six thematic clusters, all aimed at tackling societal challenges in different areas, while strenghtening key industrial technologies and the EU’s competitiveness on a global stage. The six clusters are:
- Health
- Culture, Creativity and Inclusive Society
- Civil Security for Society
- Digital, Industry and Space
- Climate, Energy and Mobility
- Food, Bio-economy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
The goal of Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment
Cluster 6 aims to reduce environmental degradation, halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity on land, in inland waters, and at sea, and to improve the management of natural resources through transformative changes in the economy and society across both urban and rural areas. This cluster aims to ensure food and nutrition security for all within planetary boundaries by fostering knowledge, bio-based innovation resources, and digitalisation in agriculture, fisheries, aquaculture, and food systems, while steering and accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient circular economy and a sustainable bioeconomy, including forestry, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Cluster 6 – Key Strategic Orientations
To better understand the aims of this Cluster 5: Climate, Energy and Mobility, the Horizon Europe Strategic Plan for 2025-2027 has set out three different Key Strategic Orientations (KSOs), namely:
- The Green Transition: aiming to support Europe in achieving climate neutrality and becoming the world’s first climate-neutral continent by 2050.
- The Digital Transition: focusing on reinforcing Europe’s competitiveness and strategic autonomy through research in core digital technologies.
- A More Resilient, Competitive, Inclusive, and Democratic Europe: aiming to bolster Europe’s social rights and democratic values.
Expected impacts of Horizon Europe Cluster 6
To support the KSOs defined by the strategic plan, Horizon Europe Cluster 6 will contribute to the following seven expected impacts (or ‘destinations’):
Destination 1: Biodiversity and ecosystem services
This destination works to halt and reverse the loss of biodiversity on land, in inland waters and at sea. It supports the restoration of ecosystems and the sustainable use of natural resources, ensuring that nature can continue to provide the services societies and economies depend on. Research and innovation will help safeguard species and habitats, strengthen ecosystem resilience and deliver nature-based solutions that benefit climate, a healthy planet and the economy.
Destination 2: Fair, healthy and environmentally-friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
Europe’s food systems must nourish people while protecting the planet. This destination promotes a fair, healthy and sustainable food chain—from farms and fisheries to the consumer’s plate. It backs innovation for nutritious and safe food, supports farmers and fishers in making the green transition and reduces the environmental footprint of production and consumption. The aim is a resilient food system that works for citizens, the environment and the economy.
Destination 3: Circular economy and bioeconomy sector
This destination and its topics target climate-neutral circular and bioeconomy transitions, covering safe integrated circular solutions at territorial and sectoral levels, for important material flows and product value chains, such as the textile, electronics, plastics and construction sectors, as well as key bioeconomy sectors such as sustainable bio-based systems, sustainable forestry, small-scale rural bio-based solutions, and aquatic value chains. By linking circularity with innovation, it reduces pressure on ecosystems, cuts emissions and drives green growth.
Destination 4: Clean environment and zero pollution
To protect people and nature, Europe must drastically reduce pollution in air, water and soil. This destination supports innovative approaches to monitor, prevent and remediate pollution across sectors, from industry and agriculture to cities and transport. By fostering clean technologies and better environmental management, it aims for a healthy environment, improved quality of life and progress towards the EU’s zero-pollution ambition.
Destination 5: Land, ocean and water for climate action
This destination harnesses the power of land, ocean and freshwater systems to drive climate action. It advances knowledge and innovation to protect and restore soils, forests, wetlands and marine ecosystems so they can absorb carbon, regulate the climate and safeguard biodiversity. Research focuses on sustainable land and water management, nature-based solutions and resilient blue and green economies. By linking science, policy and local communities, it supports Europe’s path to climate neutrality and strengthens adaptation to a changing climate.
Destination 6: Resilient, inclusive, healthy and free rural, coastal and urban communities
Communities across Europe, whether rural, coastal or urban, face diverse challenges from climate change, demographic shifts and economic pressures. This destination helps them become more resilient, inclusive and healthy. It supports sustainable local economies, vibrant social life and equitable access to services and resources. The goal is thriving places where people and nature can prosper together.
Destination 7: Innovative governance, environmental observations and digital solutions in support of the Green Deal
Achieving Europe’s Green Deal objectives requires sound knowledge, good governance and cutting-edge technology. This destination strengthens environmental monitoring and Earth observation, develops advanced digital tools and supports participatory and inclusive governance models. By improving data, policy-making and citizen engagement, it enables faster and more effective action for sustainability and climate neutrality.
Funding opportunities through the Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment cluster
Horizon Europe supports the aims of Cluster 6 through funding of research and innovation that address the different destinations. Proposals and partnerships are invited to apply for a variety of topics and ‘calls for proposals’. All of these calls come with different total budgets and contributions per project. The total budget of Horizon Europe Cluster 4 in 2025 is around €967 million.
More information on destinations, topics and calls for proposals of Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment.
Who can apply?
Horizon Europe Cluster calls are open to a wide range of organisations, provided they meet the programme’s eligibility rules. Universities, research institutes, companies of all sizes (including start-ups and SMEs), public bodies, and non-profit organisations can all participate.
Most calls require a consortium of at least three independent entities from three different EU Member States or countries associated to Horizon Europe. Some specific calls may allow a single applicant or smaller partnerships. Organisations from non-EU countries can often join as additional partners. Certain topics can set extra conditions or limit participation to protect EU strategic interests.
How to apply for funding
Applications for funding go through Horizon Europe’s Funding and Tenders Portal.
Further reading on Horizon Europe
About Catalyze
At Catalyze we commit ourselves to accelerate innovations that have a positive impact on the world. We are the driving force for innovations across the fields of Life Sciences and Sustainability. Our offering of strategic consulting services, funding consulting, project management and more, deliver impactful expertise for all development stages. With a proven track record and the highest quality and success rate in the industry, we aim to be the consulting partner of choice to drive the success of meaningful innovation projects.
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