Welcome to the Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture and Environment blog. Whilst we might not win the prize for the snappiest title, I think that we certainly come top of the league in the range of critical subject areas that are being addressed under Horizon Europe to support the European Green Deal.
The topics in this cluster underpin the fundamental elements of life on earth and how our stewardship of them needs to improve.
What is the funding for?
Sustainable development lies at the heart of this cluster. This will build over the duration of the 7-year funding cycle to create a more equitable and environmentally prudent approach to our planet whilst still meeting our needs.
The scope of topics across the following destinations contained in Cluster 6 gives an indication of the magnitude of the task ahead and the ambition that there is to carry it out.
Destinations
- Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services
- Fair healthy and environmentally friendly food systems from primary production to consumption
- Circular Economy and the Bioeconomy
- Clean environment and zero pollution
- Land, oceans and water for climate action
- Resilient inclusive and healthy and green rural, coastal and urban communities
- Innovative governance environmental observations and digital solution in support of the Green Deal
Collaborative projects that create solutions to the issues outlined in the destinations is achieved by working with a wide range of partners to deliver the best outcomes possible. A copy of the Horizon Europe Cluster 6 Work Programme can be found here.
Image © European Commission
Why bother?
We need to remind ourselves of our reputation and expertise as a valuable partner or co-ordinator in Horizon Europe. We need to redouble our efforts to maximise our opportunities to participate as a new Associated Country and create excellent partnerships and proposals to remedy the challenges that we face.
There is €8.95 billion allocated to activity in Cluster 6, which the UK is eligible to compete. Our track record in these sectors has been good. Under the previous Horizon 2020 Programme, over €230 million was awarded to over 700 UK research organisations, universities, businesses and charities in collaborative projects with our European colleagues.
If you like a challenge and have the ability and expertise to address complex and interrelated issues, then these topics are for you. Meeting the global challenges through Research and Innovation, building effective international partnerships, accessing talent and expertise are a few of the reasons we should be involved.
The fact that this funding is guaranteed and is available at a very generous intervention rate with no artificial constraints on the make up of the consortium to deliver the project is another incentive.
We are here to help you.
If you are interested in finding out more the European Commission is holding information days on the 7th and 8th July Cluster 6 – Food, Bioeconomy, Natural Resources, Agriculture & Environment | Horizon Europe Info Days 2021 (horizon-europe-infodays2021.eu)
We are in the fortunate position that we have 3 National Contact Points working on Cluster 6 to bring you the best advice and support to assist you in your journey through Horizon Europe Funding. We will be sending out a newsletter for the whole of Cluster 6 so that you can pick and choose what is of interest to you.
Please contact us if you would like to be updated on any developments or would like more information. We are here to help so please get in touch.
NCP-Food-Bio-Marine@innovateuk.ukri.org
Helen Sweeney is the UK National Contact Point (NCP) for Horizon Europe Cluster 6: Food Bioeconomy Natural Resources Agriculture and Environment.
NCPs are appointed by the UK Government to give UK applicants free help and impartial advice about the EU’s Horizon Europe framework programme.
source: innovate UK
