Objective

The primary goal is to support the transition towards sustainable and resilient agricultural systems through the widespread adoption of agroecological practices tailored to local contexts. These solutions are expected to be validated by producers and supported by technical, economic, and institutional systems to enable effective scaling and adoption.

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Key Themes

Proposed actions must align with at least one of the following thematic areas:

• Alternatives to chemical inputs

• Circular economy and agricultural waste recovery

• Reducing post-harvest losses and food waste

• Adapting to climate change and enhancing food security

• Innovations related to economic incentives and private sector engagement

• Agroecological innovations in crop and livestock systems (technical and economic)

Funding Information

Grants under this call must fall within the following range:

• Minimum: €150,000

• Maximum: €230,000

Expected Results

1. Identification, testing, and adaptation of innovative agroecological practices (e.g., cultivation systems, soil and biodiversity management).

2. Rigorous assessment of practices’ agro-economic, environmental, and social performance—especially climate resilience.

3. Availability of technical, financial, and organizational support mechanisms tailored to local producer needs.

Eligible Activities

Examples of eligible activities include:

Knowledge & Capacity Gaps

• Field-testing technical solutions

• Scientific validation for scale-up

• Support for regulatory processes (biopesticides, seed certification)

• Practical farmer training and demo site establishment

• Building farmer networks and cooperatives

• Developing local-language technical guides

• Training institutions and local extension officers

Workload & Efficiency

• Mechanization linked to agroecological practices

• Equipment sharing services

• Promoting collective labor strategies (e.g., cooperatives)

Financial Viability & Market Access

• Development of short supply chains and local markets

• Consumer research and product marketing

• Simplified certification (e.g., Participatory Guarantee System)

• Support for SMEs and cooperatives in agroecological input production

• Policy advocacy for agroecological subsidies

• Creation of financial tools: green finance, microcredit, insurance, etc.

Ineligible Costs

Examples of ineligible expenses include:

• Debts, interest charges, provisions

• Foreign exchange losses

• Subcontracting to board or staff members

• Land/building purchases (unless essential)

• Compensation claims or severance pay

• Alcohol, tobacco, and related items

• Salary bonuses

• Costs already funded by another subsidy

Target Groups

This call targets actors across the food system, including:

• Producers and family farms

• Households (processors, traders, consumers) in the project area

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Be a legal entity

• Be a private non-profit actor (NGO, foundation, etc.)

• For-profit entities may apply only if profit maximization is not their primary goal and they meet specific criteria