Enabling user-centred and open innovation initiatives to enhance soil health in Ukraine
- Fetched
- 2026-06-09T15:42:49Z
Topic description
Expected Outcome: Activities should align with the international goals of the European Green Deal, specifically contribute to the EU soil strategy for 2030 , the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 , the Zero Pollution Action Plan , and the proposal for a Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive . In broader terms, the activities will also support EU’s efforts towards Ukraine's long-term reconstruction , focusing on reducing soil pollution and facilitating restoration, in line with the Ukraine Plan . Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes: strengthened regional R&I ecosystems and enhanced capacities for participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches, allowing for effective cooperation between research, practice and policy to tackle soil health challenges in Ukraine arising from military actions and other indirect pressures; increased uptake and application of soil related and practice-oriented knowledge by farmers, land managers, foresters, local authorities and other relevant stakeholders for improved soil health and related ecosystem services; deepened awareness among policymakers of local needs and constraints regarding soil health, sustainable management practices and innovative technologies to address soil degradation, including those arising from military actions, supports effective and tailored policy design. Scope: In Ukraine, soils are exposed to degradation due to nutrient mismanagement, acidification, erosion, compaction, salinisation, and contamination, with the war further contributing to devastation by releasing toxic elements, causing long-term damage to both ecosystems and human health [1] During military activities, soils are among the most heavily affected components of the environment, undergoing mechanical, chemical, and physical degradation [2] The war has also disrupted research and innovation activities, which further hinder the country’s ability to address soil degradation issues. Particularly, as before the war, the innovation landscape in Ukraine was already in a need for more supportive political, regulatory and legislative frameworks, and more developed and improved innovation [3] . Proposals should: map and identify relevant stakeholders (e.g. researchers, innovators, farmers, foresters, land managers, spatial planners, local authorities, citizens, civil society organisations, policymakers) and existing relevant EU initiatives, projects, and knowledge and innovation systems (e.g. thematic networks, AKIS, participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches) in Ukraine; identify and analyse R&I ecosystem challenges, potential gaps in knowledge, skills and competences needed for user-centred, place-based transdisciplinary R&I ecosystems, in particular for those dealing with soil degradation and soil health issues arising from the impact of military actions [4] and explore potential synergies, collaborations and exchange of experiences and good practices with identified initiatives, projects and knowledge innovation systems; based on the mapping and analysis, provide a skills development and knowledge transfer strategy focusing on skills and knowledge for two main areas: enhancing the ability of stakeholders to engage in, and contribute to participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches, and transferring soil-related knowledge, in particular generated under the Mission ‘A Soil Deal for Europe’; support relevant actors with capacity building and knowledge transfer activities following the defined strategy, through for example twining, trainings, workshops, networking activities, conferences, field trips and events; create regional knowledge hubs that serve as platforms for networking, collaboration and further exchange of soil related knowledge and practices, as well as skills, for participatory, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary R&I approaches, while, ensuring synergies and making effective use of other existing similar initiatives in Ukraine; provide recommendations on sustainable management practices and innovative technologies to relevant stakeholders, including policymakers, to improve soil health. This should consider all relevant degradation processes, including those resulting from military actions, as well as the impact(s) of climate change and the need for resilient farming systems. All activities should take place in areas without ongoing or active military actions to ensure the safety of all participants. The project is strongly encouraged to collaborate with relevant Horizon Europe projects including those funded under the Mission Soil, the Mission Soil Living Labs, the Living Lab Support Structure SOILL , and the project that will be funded under the call ‘HORIZON-CL6-2026-01-ZEROPOLLUTION-02: Bioremediation of Ukraine’s ecosystems contaminated by conflicts’, in order to create strong synergies from the start of the projects. This action supports the follow-up to the July 2023 Communication on EU Missions assessment . [1] JRC Publications Repository - Status of Environment and Climate in Ukraine [2] https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/13/10/1614 [3] Technology transfer in Ukraine 2019-2020 - Publications Office of the EU [4] Soil Degradation and Contamination Due to Armed Conflict in Ukraine
Conditions and documents
General conditions 1. Admissibility Conditions: Proposal page limit and layout described in Annex A and Annex E of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. Proposal page limits and layout: described in Part B of the Application Form available in the Submission System. 2. Eligible Countries described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. A number of non-EU/non-Associated Countries that are not automatically eligible for funding have made specific provisions for making funding available for their participants in Horizon Europe projects. See the information in the Horizon Europe Programme Guide . 3. Other Eligible Conditions described in Annex B of the Work Programme General Annexes. 4. Financial and operational capacity and exclusion described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5a. Evaluation and award: Award criteria, scoring and thresholds are described in Annex D of the Work Programme General Annexes. 5b. Evaluation and award: Submission and evaluation processes are described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes and the Online Manual . 5c. Evaluation and award: Indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes. 6. Legal and financial set-up of the grants Eligible costs will take the form of a lump sum as defined in the Decision of 7 July 2021 authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) – and in actions under the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (2021-2025) [[This decision is available on the Funding and Tenders Portal, in the reference documents section for Horizon Europe, under ‘Simplified costs decisions’ or through this link: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/horizon/guidance/ls-decision_he_en.pdf ]]. described in Annex G of the Work Programme General Annexes. Specific conditions described in the [specific topic of the Work Programme] Application and evaluation forms and model grant agreement (MGA): Application form templates — the application form specific to this call is available in the Submission System Standard application form (HE CSA) Evaluation form templates — will be used with the necessary adaptations Standard evaluation form (HE CSA) Guidance HE Programme Guide Model Grant Agreements (MGA) Lump Sum MGA Call-specific instructions Detailed budget table (HE LS) Guidance: "Lump sums - what do I need to know?" Additional documents: HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 1. General Introduction HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 12. Missions HE Main Work Programme 2026-2027 – 15. General Annexes HE Programme Guide HE Framework Programme 2021/695 HE Specific Programme Decision 2021/764 EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509 Decision authorising the use of lump sum contributions under the Horizon Europe Programme Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment EU Grants AGA — Annotated Model Grant Agreement Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Budget overview
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