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Grant Analysis

Purpose & Target

The core objective of this grant is to create urban co-creation spaces that drive the transformation towards sustainable urban food systems. It aims to empower communities to access, afford, and choose sustainable food options by supporting policy development, business models, and market conditions in urban areas. - SECTOR-SPECIFIC - Target recipient type: Diverse stakeholders including research institutions, businesses (start-ups, food industry), civil society organizations, public authorities, farmers, and citizens, often in consortia. - Target size: Not explicitly defined, but multi-actor approach suggests various sizes of organizations. - Geographic scope: Urban and peri-urban communities, with a focus on local and regional governance. International cooperation, especially with widening countries, is encouraged. - Key filtering criteria: Focus on urban food systems, community engagement, sustainability, and social inclusion. - Grant frequency: Part of the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2025, suggesting recurring opportunities within the broader program framework.

Financial Structure

Funding is provided in the form of a 'lump sum' contribution, which simplifies financial management by removing obligations on detailed cost reporting and financial ex-post audits.
The estimated eligible costs for the action, proposed by applicants, must be broken down by budget categories including personnel costs, subcontracting costs, purchase costs (travel, equipment, goods/services), and other cost categories.
Indirect costs are calculated by applying a flat rate of 25.0% to the direct cost categories that qualify.
The total funding for this specific topic is 12000000.0 EUR, with an expected 2 grants.
The minimum grant amount per project is 6000000.0 EUR.
The maximum grant amount per project is 6000000.0 EUR.
Currency: EUR.
Reimbursement rate: The final lump sum is calculated by applying the reimbursement rate set out in Horizon Europe rules (typically 100.0% for Research and Innovation Actions) to the total estimated eligible costs.
Co-financing principle: The total estimated costs of the action must be greater than the estimated Union contributions, ensuring compliance with the co-financing principle.
Payments: Lump sum contributions are paid per work package upon proper implementation in accordance with the grant agreement. Payments do not depend on costs actually incurred.
Financial guarantees: Between 5% and 8% of the total lump sum is retained as a contribution to the Mutual Insurance Mechanism.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligible Organization Types

Organizations involved in research (e.g., universities, research institutions)
Businesses, including start-ups and food industry players
Civil society organizations (CSOs)
Public authorities at local or regional levels
Farmers and consumer representatives (as part of consortia or specific roles)
Other entities engaging in social/solidarity economy activities

Geographic Location Requirements

Eligible Countries: As described in Annex B of the Horizon Europe Work Programme General Annexes. This typically includes EU Member States and countries associated with Horizon Europe. Cooperation with legal entities established in 'widening countries' is strongly encouraged, as is broader international cooperation.

Consortium Requirements

A 'multi-actor approach' is encouraged, implying that proposals will typically involve consortia comprising diverse stakeholders (e.g., citizens, farmers, consumers, civil society organizations, research institutions, businesses, public authorities).
Cooperation with other EU-funded projects (specifically HORIZON-CL6-2022-GOVERNANCE-01-01), European Partnerships, EU Missions, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC) may be envisaged or encouraged.

Technical Expertise Requirements

Expertise in food systems, nutrition, dietetics, food science and technology, social sciences and humanities (SSH), including gender studies.
Capacity for data monitoring approaches, potentially utilizing machine learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Ability to apply randomized controlled trials for impact assessment.

Financial and Operational Capacity

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial and operational capacity, as described in Annex C of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Application Process

Application Process Steps

Applications must be submitted via the Funding & Tenders Portal, using the Electronic Submission Service.
The process is 'single-stage'.
Applicants will need to confirm their choice of action and model grant agreement in the submission system.

Application Deadlines

Submission deadline: 2025-09-16 00:00:00+00:00

Required Documentation and Materials

'Application form templates': Specific to this call and available in the Submission System (Standard application form HE RIA, IA).
'Detailed budget table (HE LS)': Required for lump sum grants.
Proposals must include a declaration that beneficiaries have followed their own accounting practices for budget preparation.

Evaluation and Award

Proposals will be evaluated by external independent experts.
The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in Annex F of the Work Programme General Annexes.

Project Implementation and Reporting

Projects funded under this call are 'Research and Innovation Actions' (RIA).
Implementation of the project will follow the detailed work plan and activities described in the proposal.
Payments are linked to the successful implementation of 'work packages'. If conditions for a work package are not met, the corresponding lump sum will not be paid until conditions are satisfied or may be reduced.
Progress tracking is primarily technical, focusing on the fulfilment of work package conditions rather than financial reporting of actual costs.

Support Available for Applicants

'Online Manual': Comprehensive guide from proposal submission to grant management.
'Horizon Europe Programme Guide': Provides detailed guidance on the program's structure, budget, and political priorities.
'Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ': Answers to common questions on submission, evaluation, and grant management.
'Research Enquiry Service': For general inquiries about European research and EU Research Framework Programmes.
'National Contact Points (NCPs)': Provide guidance, practical information, and assistance on participation in Horizon Europe, including in non-EU/non-associated countries.
'Enterprise Europe Network': Offers advice to businesses, especially SMEs, including on EU research funding.
'IT Helpdesk': For technical issues related to the Funding & Tenders Portal.
'European IPR Helpdesk': Assistance on intellectual property issues.
'CEN-CENELEC Research Helpdesk and ETSI Research Helpdesk': Advise on standardisation in project proposals.
'Partner Search': Tools and services available to help find partner organizations for proposals.

Evaluation Criteria

Award Criteria

Proposals are evaluated based on three main criteria, standard for Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Actions (RIA):
Excellence
Expected Impact
Quality and Efficiency of the Implementation

Specific Scoring Factors

Problem-based learning and enhanced skills: Ability to develop solutions that change food cultures, behaviours, and food environments.
Improved local governance frameworks: Capacity to strengthen governance for social inclusion and social economy in urban areas.
Understanding of policy 'mix': Effectiveness in analyzing local policy packages and communication strategies for sustainable diets.
Innovative co-creation spaces: Creation of hands-on living labs and co-creation spaces that actively engage all parts of society.
Methodological rigor: Application of randomized controlled trials across different age groups and socio-economic groups.
Community engagement: Promotion and establishment of sustainable/regenerative community gardens and urban agriculture.
Inclusivity: Enhanced participation of vulnerable groups (young, elderly, migrants, homeless, ethnic minorities, pregnant women, persons with disabilities) to strengthen inclusion and intercultural/intergenerational cohesion.
Attractiveness of sustainable food: Strategies to enhance the appeal of safe, healthy, environment-friendly food, including partnerships with various actors (chefs, nutritionists, food industry, start-ups).
Structural change: Involvement of local and regional governance to enable systemic change through participatory and inclusive processes.
Network building: Ability to connect different living labs and build networks for joint learning and best practice exchange, including from previous EU-funded projects.
Impact assessment: Establishment of robust data monitoring approaches (e.g., using machine learning, AI) and a test-control approach for evidence-based policy making.
Cross-cutting themes: Integration of the 'gender dimension' and consideration of other social categories (disability, age, socio-economic status, ethnic/cultural origin, sexual orientation) and their intersections will be considered.
Multi-actor approach (MAA): Effective use of MAA in the project design is encouraged and will contribute positively to the evaluation.

Compliance & Special Requirements

Regulatory Compliance

Projects must comply with the 'Horizon Europe Programme' rules and the 'EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509'.
Regulatory compliance is checked at various stages, including during grant preparation and implementation.

Data Protection and Privacy

Implicitly, EU data protection and privacy regulations (like GDPR) apply to any data collected or processed within the project, especially given the involvement of citizens and vulnerable groups.

Ethical Standards

Proposals and projects will be subject to checks regarding 'ethics and research integrity'.

Intellectual Property Policies

Management of intellectual property (IP) is a key aspect of the grant agreement, following standard Horizon Europe policies (not detailed here).

Technology Specifications

Proposals are expected to utilize 'machine learning approach' and 'AI' for data monitoring and impact assessment.

Risk Management Expectations

While financial audits are minimized under the lump sum model, checks and reviews will focus on technical implementation and the fulfilment of work package conditions.
Non-compliance with work package conditions can lead to non-payment or recovery of funds.

Unique Aspects and Strategic Opportunities

Lump Sum Funding Model: This grant utilizes a lump sum contribution model, which aims to simplify financial management and shift the focus towards scientific/technical performance and outputs. Beneficiaries have no obligation to document costs incurred for the action but must meet technical conditions.
Co-creation and Living Labs: A core requirement is the creation of innovative hands-on living labs and co-creation spaces actively engaging society.
Vulnerable Group Inclusion: Strong emphasis on enhancing the participation of vulnerable groups (young, elderly, migrants, homeless, ethnic minorities, pregnant women, persons with disabilities) to foster inclusion and cohesion.
Collaboration and Networking: Projects are expected to actively collaborate with other EU-funded projects (e.g., Cleverfood), connect different living labs, and build networks for joint learning and best practice exchange.
Alignment with EU Priorities: Strong alignment with the 'European Green Deal', 'Farm to Fork' and 'EU biodiversity strategies', 'EU’s climate ambition', and 'Food 2030 priorities'.
Multi-actor and SSH Approach: The 'multi-actor approach' is encouraged, and proposals must involve the effective contribution of 'Social Sciences and Humanities (SSH) disciplines', including gender studies.
New European Bauhaus (NEB): Collaboration and complementarity with the NEB Facility is encouraged.

Grant Details