Supporting the implementation of nature restoration measures for sustainable farming systems

Expected Outcome:

In line with the targets of the European Green Deal, the common agricultural policy, and the EU biodiversity strategy for 2030, a successful proposal will contribute to the expected impact of this Destination by testing and implementing biodiversity-friendly practices while supporting long-term sustainability of farming and safeguarding food security. A successful proposal will contribute to facilitating the implementation of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, aligning with the Union’s overarching objectives of climate change mitigation and adaptation, for national authorities, by assessing and promoting the most suitable agricultural practices that support agrobiodiversity and a wide range of ecosystem services.

Projects are expected to contribute to all of the following expected outcomes:

• synergies between nature restoration/conservation and food security (production and availability) are scientifically demonstrated to farmers, land managers, advisors and policymakers;
• suitable measures and strategies, along with evidence-based recommendations, are identified and developed to assist farmers in the implementation phase, while supporting Member States competent authorities in addressing specific targets of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation in agricultural landscapes;
• collaborations and exchanges between farmers, researchers, and policymakers from competent authorities are strengthened to enable the development of integrated and effective policies that restore natural capital, generate sustainable income for farmers, while also ensuring food availability and quality.

Scope:

Farmers play a pivotal role in addressing biodiversity loss while ensuring food production and quality, thereby contributing to overall food security. To support biodiversity-friendly agriculture, it is essential to first list demonstrated farming practices and ecosystems that benefit biodiversity. Next, there is a need to assess the socio-economic impact of nature restoration measures on the agricultural sector and the individual farm, as well as develop and improve existing incentives and their interplay. A key element for a wide adoption of such practices by farmers is demonstrating production and labour benefits, or at least maintaining economic competitiveness in the implementation of nature restoration measures. Moreover, specific targets for agricultural ecosystems outlined in the EU Nature Restoration Regulation necessitate that applied research lays the foundation for Member States to effectively comply and design appropriate and successful strategies. Therefore, environmental, economic, and social benefits, as well as potential trade-offs between nature restoration measures and food security and quality (production and availability) should be demonstrated over different time frames. These should be developed with farmers in mind: short-term and immediate impact on production, their businesses, and nature, as well as medium-, and long-term.

Proposals should:

• quantify the costs and benefits of restoration measures on farm productivity (referring to the ratio input/output) over short, medium, and long-term. Additionally, evaluate the impact of taking action versus non-action on the provision of ecosystem services, such as climate, water, soil health, pollination, nutrients, natural pest control, erosion prevention, etc., along with their associated economic impact at farm level;
• develop and assess possible science-based targets for satisfactory levels of restoration for biodiversity in agricultural ecosystems considering Art. 11 of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, a path for implementation by farmers, land managers and policymakers, and further develop, solidify, and harmonise existing indicators of biodiversity in agricultural landscapes;
• generate evidence to support and improve incentive schemes, including rewarding mechanisms for actions taken and results achieved in nature restoration/conservation on farmland, while considering synergies and trade-offs;
• assess and compare the potential of various farming approaches to contribute to ecosystem restoration. While considering all types and sizes of farming systems (conventional, organic, agroecological, etc.), prioritise those that are clearly defined to ensure compliance with legislation.

Proposals should adopt a transdisciplinary approach, engaging with relevant experts and stakeholders from farming, biodiversity and ecosystems, as well as from social sciences and humanities (SSH). Proposals must apply the multi-actor approach to ensure adequate involvement of researchers, policymakers, farmers, land managers and agricultural advisors among other relevant stakeholders. Proposals should aim to increase practical, ready to use knowledge and tools, and promote freely accessible dissemination and open capacity building channels.

Proposals should allocate adequate resources to collaborate with topic projects funded under other topics in this work programme, in particular HORIZON-CL6-2025-01-BIODIV-06: Assessing and modelling socio-economic impacts of nature restoration. Moreover, proposals should build on existing knowledge and the results of other relevant projects, as well as ensure cooperation with appropriate Horizon Europe Partnerships, in particular ‘Biodiversa+’ and ‘Agroecology’.

The JRC may contribute by advising and providing relevant information on the effects of farming practices on the environment, biodiversity, and climate. This collaboration aims to enhance the targeting and quantification of proposed restoration interventions, alongside fostering cooperation with stakeholders and facilitating the dissemination of results to policymakers.

Proposals should foresee cooperation with the EC Knowledge Centre for Biodiversity and the Science Service project BioAgora.