Enhancing farmer's profitability and resilience through innovations for diversified crops and value chains

Enhancing farmer’s profitability and resilience through innovations for diversified crops and value chains is an EU-funded innovation program targeting companies, public institutions, non-profit organizations, and educational establishments across the European Union. Its objective is the development and testing of new cultivation systems, business models, and regional value chains to support farmers in transitioning to diversified, resource-efficient, and climate-resilient production methods. The funding amount is approximately €6,000,000 per project, with a funding rate of up to 70%. Eligible costs include personnel expenses, subcontractor services, and material costs. Eligible applicants are agricultural and food SMEs, start-ups, research institutions, as well as farmers implementing innovative concepts aligned with sustainability, biodiversity, and climate protection aspects. A key requirement is the application of the “Multi-Actor Approach” and the involvement of relevant stakeholders, especially farmers and agri-SMEs, in collaborative project approaches.

The call opens on April 20, 2027, and closes on September 23, 2027 (17:00 Brussels time). Applicants must submit a standardized application form (HE RIA/IA) with a detailed budget plan and third-party financing information. Evaluation criteria include the degree of innovation, sustainability and climate protection aspects, market potential, and exploitation prospects. Projects must cover phases of design, prototyping, and validation, and include robust exploitation strategies encompassing market and IP planning as well as creative dissemination measures. The funding aims to invigorate local value chains, enhance the competitiveness of agriculture, and secure the long-term resilience of European farms against external shocks.