Horizon Europe strategic plan 2025-2027 for research and innovation 

The Commission has adopted the second strategic plan for Horizon Europe, shaping research and innovation funding for 2025–2027. With key orientations focusing on the green and digital transition, and Europe's resilience and competitiveness, the plan aims to tackle global challenges like climate change and biodiversity loss. Notably, it commits to allocating 10% of the budget to biodiversity-related topics and introduces nine new European partnerships. The plan also introduces the New European Bauhaus Facility, fostering sustainable and inclusive living. Additionally, the plan provides an overview of the achievement of EU Missions over their first years. Horizon Europe’s main Work Programme for 2025 will be developed following the orientations of the newly adopted strategic plan. In April 2024, the Commission launched an opportunity for all stakeholders to feedback on the 2025 Work Programme. Learn more about the strategic plan. 

Cooperation on soil health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa 

During the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, the European Commission and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced a collaborative effort to address soil health challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. With over 60% of soils in both the EU and sub-Saharan Africa considered unhealthy, the initiative aims to bolster global food security and climate action. The partnership will focus on providing substantial financial support to advance soil health priorities, including farmer livelihoods. The collaboration will enhance soil monitoring, research and innovation, with a focus on scaling up soil knowledge and mapping efforts in Africa. Learn more about this partnership. 

EU-wide certification scheme for carbon removals 

The European Commission welcomes the provisional agreement between the European Parliament and the Council on the EU's first voluntary certification framework for high-quality carbon removals. This framework, a significant step towards climate neutrality, will promote innovative carbon removal technologies and carbon farming, crucial for the EU's climate, environmental and zero-pollution objectives. Establishing an EU registry for transparency and credibility, the Regulation prioritises developing certification methodologies, unlocking economic opportunities and incentivising sustainable practices. Financial support mechanisms, including private schemes and public financing, will facilitate the growth of carbon removal technologies, complementing existing EU funding programmes. Learn more about the agreement. 

How EIT Food supports innovators in improving our food system 

EIT Food's Seedbed Incubator offers an opportunity for technology developers to deeply understand their customers and validate market need for their innovations before commercialisation, particularly focusing on improving the food system. Alumni like Azolla Projects, Space Crop, Veridi Technologies and Nerite Tech are good practice examples of the programme's impact in enhancing soil health and food sustainability. By joining the programme, innovators gain access to a vibrant food innovation community, connect with industry leaders for validation, receive equity-free funding, and undergo entrepreneurial training and coaching. View the eligibility criteria and register your interest. 

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