Living Labs for co-creating solutions to reduce eutrophication from agriculture
EU funding program under Horizon Europe for the establishment of living labs for the collaborative development and testing of solutions to reduce agricultural eutrophication. Two-stage submission deadlines: 08.04.2027 and 14.09.2027.
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Grant criteria
Funding objective
Establishment and operation of interconnected Living Labs in at least three EU Member States to collaboratively develop and implement practical strategies, tools, and methods with various stakeholders that reduce nutrient input from agriculture into water bodies and improve soil and water quality in the long term.
Eligible expenses
- Personnel expenses
- Material costs
- Travel expenses
- Subcontractor services
Eligible to apply
- Companies
- Non-profit Organizations
- Educational Institutions
- Public Institutions
- Founders
Funding requirements
- At least three independent institutions from EU Member States or Associated Countries
- Application of the multi-actor approach
- Establishment of four to five living labs in at least three different countries
Documents required for application
- Project description
- Financing plan
- CVs of the principal investigators
- Ethics self-disclosure
- Kick-off application form
Evaluation criteria
- Excellence of the methodological approach
- Expected impact on water and soil quality
- Quality and efficiency of implementation
Description
The EU funding program Living Labs for co-creating solutions to reduce eutrophication from agriculture is establishing a cross-border network of practice-oriented experimental fields. In at least three EU member states, four to five Living Labs will be set up, where agricultural enterprises, environmental NGOs, SMEs, start-ups, academia, and administrations collaboratively develop, test, and scale locally adapted strategies, tools, and methods to reduce nutrient input into water bodies. With a maximum funding amount of €12 million per project and a project duration of 48 months, personnel, material, and travel costs as well as subcontractor services are funded at 100%. Requirements include the application of the multi-actor approach, the involvement of at least three independent institutions from EU member states or associated countries, and close cooperation with the Mission Soil Living Labs & Lighthouses community (SOILL).
In the two-stage procedure (submissions by 08.04.2027 and 14.09.2027), evaluation is based on the criteria of excellence, impact, and quality of implementation. The goal is the long-term improvement of soil and water quality through innovative, climate-resilient concepts against eutrophication. Researchers, farmers, representatives of environmental organizations, and municipal administrations contribute their expertise in real test environments. A comprehensive monitoring concept captures developments based on standardized soil health indicators; Social Sciences and Humanities & Arts (SSHA) promote societal innovation processes. Through cooperation with Mission Soil cluster activities, European research infrastructures, and local stakeholder networks, knowledge transfer is ensured. Based on proven solutions, lighthouse sites (Lighthouses) will be recognized and sustainably established to pave the way toward healthy soils and clean water across Europe.