The European Commission (EC) is launching a call for proposals for the Incorporation of Renewable Energies in Agriculture and Forestry.

Scope of the proposals

• Proposals must demonstrate the incorporation of renewable energy technologies in agriculture or forestry to meet their electricity, heat, cooling, waste and land management needs. Solutions should combine innovative renewable, circular and regional value chains of different renewable energies and storage options adapted to de-fossilise trans-seasonal agricultural or forestry processes, taking into account the compatibility of hybridisation. They should also address one of the two options:

• Transformation of agricultural or forestry residues into on-site renewable energy carriers, for example through modular slow pyrolysis units, using renewable energy for process energy needs. The solutions should improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability of seasonal agricultural or forestry energy demand based on renewable energies.

• Development of renewable-based agricultural protocols for multiple and cover crops and/or mixed crops that increase carbon sequestration and soil organic matter and reduce pesticides, combined with transformation to on-site renewable energy carriers, for example through biogas production, in a circular approach for nutrients and soil carbon. Positive effects on biodiversity/soil health and soil functionality should be assessed with regard to increasing soil organic matter, phosphorus and other nutrients and reducing the risk of groundwater contamination by nitrogen oxides. Solutions should improve the cost-effectiveness and sustainability (including biodiversity) of agricultural waste and soil management through the valorisation of waste and secondary crops based on renewable energy technologies.

Information on financing:

The check will normally be made for the coordinator if the amount of the grant requested is equal to or greater than 500,000 euros, except in the case of:

• Public bodies (entities established as a public body under national legislation, including local, regional or national authorities) or international organisations;
• Cases where the individual amount of the grant requested does not exceed 60,000 euros (low-value grant)

Expected Results:

The results of the project are expected to contribute to some of the following expected outcomes:

• Promoting the decentralised use of renewable energy and the decentralised and profitable production of renewable energy carriers
• Reducing the agricultural and forestry carbon footprint of energy consumption and agricultural/forestry waste management
• Increasing sustainability and circularity in agriculture, while creating positive effects on biodiversity
• Increasing sustainability and circularity in forestry
• Encouraging regional development in rural areas
• Support the involvement of farmers and foresters as renewable energy prosumers

Eligibility Criteria:

To be eligible for funding, applicants must be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e:

• The Member States of the European Union, including their outermost regions
• Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) linked to Member States
• Eligible non-EU countries
• The countries associated with Horizon Europe
• Low- and middle-income countries

For more information, visit the official website.